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I Have a Dream
A detailed biography written soon after its subject's tragic death. The appendixes include texts of some of King's most famous speeches.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 1973
97 people are currently reading
3,512 people want to read
About the author
Martin Luther King Jr.
365books3,368followersMartin Luther King, Jr. was one of the pivotal leaders of the American civil rights movement. King was a Baptist minister, one of the few leadership roles available to black men at the time. He became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955�1956) and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (1957), serving as its first president. His efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his “I Have a Dream� speech. Here he raised public consciousness of the civil rights movement and established himself as one of the greatest orators in U.S. history. In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.
King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a national holiday in the United States in 1986. In 2004, King was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal.
King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a national holiday in the United States in 1986. In 2004, King was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 550 reviews
August 16, 2019
In 2019, I have noticed that my reading has had a bent toward civil rights. I have read about prominent African Americans including Condoleezza Rice and her parents, Carlotta Walls LaNier, and Ernie Banks. I have also read accounts of the 1960s, a turning point decade in American history where African Americans asserted themselves in their ongoing quest to achieve equal civil rights. I had not read a quality biography of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr, yet, with my yearly reading schedule filling up, I knew that I would not have a chance this year. I decided to compromise by obtaining an illustrated version of the I Have a Dream Speech in time for the August 28 anniversary of the speech. With stunning illustrations by former Caldecott medal winner Kadir Nelson, this book is perfect for children and adults of all ages. It contains an audio cd of the original speech and is chilling to listen to. I have my 2020 reading lineup filling up and I would like to read a quality biography of Dr King. In the interim, this lovely coffee table book will more than suffice.
January 20, 2020
While we do not celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Canada, the sentiments that MLK evoked in many of his speeches and actions are at the heart of the Canadian spirit. I read this version of the famous “I have a dream...� speech because someone close to me ask if I would. I am so very pleased that I took the time to read and absorb everything that is in it. This book offers some powerfully illustrated pages with an abridged version of the speech, as well as a full text copy at the back, both of which are very important for the reader to digest. The illustrations alone are some of the most powerful I have seen in a book, but the text truly brings the sentiment home. King speaks about how things had not changed from 1863–when Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation—through to the date of the speech, in 1963. I sit here, on January 20, 2020 and think that 157 years have not made much difference. While there have been advancements, the world populace is still in a rut of racism, hatred, and class system based on the colour of one’s skin and what they accept as a personal creed. The world turns to its leaders for guidance and action (as, perhaps, King turned to JFK and then LBJ), but America has locked itself into a leader whose bigotry, misogyny, and racism is as blunt as the intellect his puts forth when he opens his mouth. “But he speaks for the people of America, the grassroots people who cast votes for him, across the country,� some will say. That, in and of itself is enough to show that there are serious issues.
How can we sit here, one-fifth of the way into the 21st century and still have such hatred for someone based on their skin or religion? How can we continue to push along and think it is ok to allow others, leaders especially, to stand around and spout this garbage? It sickens me to think that this is acceptable in the world today. This is a domestic issue, an international one. It is at the heart of the laws and the constitutionality of the state. No one can brush this off and say, “but look at this aspect of the country�, for this interconnects with all things. On the eve of a sobering experience of constitutional rendering, America stands and calls it a political issue, yanking the blindfold off Lady Justice and choking her with it, pretending that there is anything forthright with these actions. Martin Luther King, Jr. sought equality and fairness, but I am sure he’d be even more embarrassed with today’s America, and the world. I venture to say George Wallace would be right there with him!
For those who can vote on November 3, 2020, do what you will. But, I would ask that each and every one of you read this speech—if not this book—ahead of time. The world is watching to see how you want to be seen, and what stain you wish to make or launder going into 2021.
I, too, have a dream... and hope Neo can live long enough to see it.
Kudos, Dr. King, for being so frank and honest. Your words resonate with me, as does your memory!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: /group/show/...
How can we sit here, one-fifth of the way into the 21st century and still have such hatred for someone based on their skin or religion? How can we continue to push along and think it is ok to allow others, leaders especially, to stand around and spout this garbage? It sickens me to think that this is acceptable in the world today. This is a domestic issue, an international one. It is at the heart of the laws and the constitutionality of the state. No one can brush this off and say, “but look at this aspect of the country�, for this interconnects with all things. On the eve of a sobering experience of constitutional rendering, America stands and calls it a political issue, yanking the blindfold off Lady Justice and choking her with it, pretending that there is anything forthright with these actions. Martin Luther King, Jr. sought equality and fairness, but I am sure he’d be even more embarrassed with today’s America, and the world. I venture to say George Wallace would be right there with him!
For those who can vote on November 3, 2020, do what you will. But, I would ask that each and every one of you read this speech—if not this book—ahead of time. The world is watching to see how you want to be seen, and what stain you wish to make or launder going into 2021.
I, too, have a dream... and hope Neo can live long enough to see it.
Kudos, Dr. King, for being so frank and honest. Your words resonate with me, as does your memory!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: /group/show/...
October 18, 2021
"...When we allow freedom to ring--when we let it ring from every city and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black� men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last, Free at last, Great God a-mighty, We are free at last."
We all have this dream, right? To live in a fair world. I think situation is much better than before, but not best for all of us yet.
I do not read this speech as someone who is racist. I read it in a way that it was spoken for all human beings, regardless of their race, sex, and color. I want equality for everyone, for rights for a particular group is called "discrimination".
I wish I was living in a world where I didn't hear people labeling or judging each other based on what wasn't their choice. I wish I was living in a world which people would say, "black or white, man or woman, Eastern or Western, we are all human, we are equal, and we all matter."...
"...I say to you today, my friends, though, even though we face difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."...
We all have this dream, right? To live in a fair world. I think situation is much better than before, but not best for all of us yet.
I do not read this speech as someone who is racist. I read it in a way that it was spoken for all human beings, regardless of their race, sex, and color. I want equality for everyone, for rights for a particular group is called "discrimination".
I wish I was living in a world where I didn't hear people labeling or judging each other based on what wasn't their choice. I wish I was living in a world which people would say, "black or white, man or woman, Eastern or Western, we are all human, we are equal, and we all matter."...
"...I say to you today, my friends, though, even though we face difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."...
February 7, 2017
This picture book was amazing and came with an audio CD of Martin giving his "I have a dream" speech. My students loved this book. Even my pessimistic student shared how he loved everything about this book. This story splits the speech into separate pages and has beautiful illustrations into. It made it easy for students to understand his large and strong vocabulary.
I suggest everyone to read this book to their children, students, etc :)
I suggest everyone to read this book to their children, students, etc :)
January 19, 2016
Ahh yes, I remember this book. I got it when it first came out in '97, it was the biggest (in terms of length/size) I owned as it was made in the style of books you put on your living room table. The book contains the full speech supplemented by specially commissioned pictures that were interpreting a quotation from the speech. At the end was a commentary on the pictures, in which we are told what the artists were trying to capture.
As for the actual speech, I do not know what more to add to the endless commentary. This speech was one that King had been giving throughout 1963 (most famously you can still find the last proto-version of the speech he gave in Detroit of that year) and it starts by reminding the crowd that it had only been 100 years since the and that African-Americans had been issued a check marked "insufficient funds" and it goes on from there to become the great (possibly over-celebrated) speeches of the 20th century.
Just for the curious. here is Dr. King looking back at this speech in the context of the Vietnam War:
As for the actual speech, I do not know what more to add to the endless commentary. This speech was one that King had been giving throughout 1963 (most famously you can still find the last proto-version of the speech he gave in Detroit of that year) and it starts by reminding the crowd that it had only been 100 years since the and that African-Americans had been issued a check marked "insufficient funds" and it goes on from there to become the great (possibly over-celebrated) speeches of the 20th century.
Just for the curious. here is Dr. King looking back at this speech in the context of the Vietnam War:
September 21, 2013
Until I've read this speech in its entirety I didn't know that before the mesmerizing I Have a Dream I Have a Dream and Let Freedom Ring Let Freedom Ring passages here Martin Luther King Jr. had used some similes, likening the Negro then to someone cashing a check, or collecting a debt under a promissory note which is the American constitution.
This is also perhaps where President Obama patterned his Yes We Can Yes We Can inaugural speech.
There is, indeed, a strong emotional pull on speeches that repeat phrases again and again, like the immortal A Time to____ and A Time to _______ in Ecclesiastes.
For historic speeches it is also an advantage for the speakers to die young, preferably by assassination. That way, they are prevented from making a mess out of their lives after their speeches. Martin Luther King Jr., for example, was a womanizer like President Clinton. Perhaps had he lived to his old age this I Have a Dream speech of his would have been mercilessly parodied, with cartoons showing him dreaming of women instead of freedom for the Negroes.
Look now at President Obama, on his second term, being called President O'Bomber as he makes plans to bomb Syria.
This is also perhaps where President Obama patterned his Yes We Can Yes We Can inaugural speech.
There is, indeed, a strong emotional pull on speeches that repeat phrases again and again, like the immortal A Time to____ and A Time to _______ in Ecclesiastes.
For historic speeches it is also an advantage for the speakers to die young, preferably by assassination. That way, they are prevented from making a mess out of their lives after their speeches. Martin Luther King Jr., for example, was a womanizer like President Clinton. Perhaps had he lived to his old age this I Have a Dream speech of his would have been mercilessly parodied, with cartoons showing him dreaming of women instead of freedom for the Negroes.
Look now at President Obama, on his second term, being called President O'Bomber as he makes plans to bomb Syria.
January 18, 2022
Celebrating MLK Day by reading this illustrated version of Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech.
A quick read, but inspiring and moving. Reading this speech makes me wonder what all these people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in DC so many years ago felt when I get goosebumps reading it now.
Reading it today so many parts of it still ring true, which still remind us “the fierce urgency of now.�
“Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy…Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood…It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment.�
A quick read, but inspiring and moving. Reading this speech makes me wonder what all these people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in DC so many years ago felt when I get goosebumps reading it now.
Reading it today so many parts of it still ring true, which still remind us “the fierce urgency of now.�
“Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy…Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood…It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment.�
June 8, 2024
I'd love to see the Dillon's edition. Nelson's would be good, too.
If you're buying one of these, be careful... some are abridged, some are mis-catalogued....
If you do read it, please check the specific entry to make sure ISBN and other info. matches. And if you have librarian status, please fix errors... and if you don't, send a PM to me with all the data. Thanks!
---
Ok, I had a chance to read the edition with art by the Dillons on the cover. Turns out that 15 recognized artists contributed works to segments of King's 1963 speech for the March on Washington. I didn't love them all, but all are worthy.
I also appreciated the chance to read the speech in full. Amazing.
Includes brief biography of King and notes about each work by each artist.
If you're buying one of these, be careful... some are abridged, some are mis-catalogued....
If you do read it, please check the specific entry to make sure ISBN and other info. matches. And if you have librarian status, please fix errors... and if you don't, send a PM to me with all the data. Thanks!
---
Ok, I had a chance to read the edition with art by the Dillons on the cover. Turns out that 15 recognized artists contributed works to segments of King's 1963 speech for the March on Washington. I didn't love them all, but all are worthy.
I also appreciated the chance to read the speech in full. Amazing.
Includes brief biography of King and notes about each work by each artist.
January 12, 2018
This book is gorgeous - the illustrations are so well done and the speech well shortened to go with them. And as I read the full speech at the end, it hit me that I’ve never read or heard it in its entirety. I suppose that’s not terribly surprising - I’m not American and I’ve never taken an American history course. It’s funny sometimes how much I know about America and also how much I don’t.
I read this to Kait because of the holiday coming up - it was a bit too advanced for her, but she liked the illustrations anyway. We will try again next year.
I read this to Kait because of the holiday coming up - it was a bit too advanced for her, but she liked the illustrations anyway. We will try again next year.
January 16, 2018
It was great to re-read my anniversary edition today. Such a simple speech, but so powerful, and there is much more to it then just the I Have a Dream section that is often quoted.
And this year when Martin Luther King Jr Day falls on his actual birthday, I think I’ll start Black History Month early, similar to leap year, to make up for all those days that are shorted every other February.
#BlackHistoryMonth
#DiversityMonday
#WeNeedDiverseBooks
#OwnVoices
Because we can�
And this year when Martin Luther King Jr Day falls on his actual birthday, I think I’ll start Black History Month early, similar to leap year, to make up for all those days that are shorted every other February.
#BlackHistoryMonth
#DiversityMonday
#WeNeedDiverseBooks
#OwnVoices
Because we can�
January 29, 2019
خطابات الثائرين نقوش في جدران الإنسانية عصية على النسيان
December 20, 2019
I read in English but this review is in Bahasa Indonesia
Cukup percaya diri mengatakan kalau sudah pernah tahu pidato legendaris Martin Luther King, Jr. yang berjudul I Have a Dream. Ternyata ketika memeriksa lama ŷ, aku belum pernah membacanya. Kalau bukan karena mbak Melisa yang mengunggah Year in Books-nya tahun ini, mungkin aku tidak tergerak dan menemukan versi yang satu ini.
Dalam versi ini, yang disajikan tidak hanya tulisan. Ia juga dilengkapi dengan ilustrasi yang cantik. Membuat setiap "bait" dari I Have a Dream menjadi semakin kuat.
Awalnya aku pikir, 40 halaman hanyalah menitikberatkan poin yang ingin disampaikan oleh Martin Luther King, Jr. Namun ternyata, diberikan juga naskah pidato lengkapnya sebagaimana yang disampaikan oleh Martin Luther King, Jr. kala itu.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character
Cukup percaya diri mengatakan kalau sudah pernah tahu pidato legendaris Martin Luther King, Jr. yang berjudul I Have a Dream. Ternyata ketika memeriksa lama ŷ, aku belum pernah membacanya. Kalau bukan karena mbak Melisa yang mengunggah Year in Books-nya tahun ini, mungkin aku tidak tergerak dan menemukan versi yang satu ini.
Dalam versi ini, yang disajikan tidak hanya tulisan. Ia juga dilengkapi dengan ilustrasi yang cantik. Membuat setiap "bait" dari I Have a Dream menjadi semakin kuat.
Awalnya aku pikir, 40 halaman hanyalah menitikberatkan poin yang ingin disampaikan oleh Martin Luther King, Jr. Namun ternyata, diberikan juga naskah pidato lengkapnya sebagaimana yang disampaikan oleh Martin Luther King, Jr. kala itu.
Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice
March 5, 2020
This was the first time I actually read Dr. King's speech. The main part of the book was short clips of the speech with illustrations. The last two pages were the full speech, in smaller print.
It is such a powerful speech and I think everyone should read it all the way through at least once.
It is such a powerful speech and I think everyone should read it all the way through at least once.
April 17, 2015
I didn't really read this Kindle book but read the text online after watching the speech on YouTube.
Martin Luther King Jr. is one of my heroes, and it seemed appropriate to listen & read his words today in honor of his memory on MLK day. Sadly, so much is still apposite 50+ years later. This passage in particular struck me:
"We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality."
In the intervening years, this aspect of racism doesn't seem to have improved very much as the events of the past 6 months have shown. I just hope that people recall this earlier section from the speech:
"But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force."
Martin Luther King Jr. is one of my heroes, and it seemed appropriate to listen & read his words today in honor of his memory on MLK day. Sadly, so much is still apposite 50+ years later. This passage in particular struck me:
"We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality."
In the intervening years, this aspect of racism doesn't seem to have improved very much as the events of the past 6 months have shown. I just hope that people recall this earlier section from the speech:
"But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force."
June 25, 2017
و همچنانک� در این راه گام برمیداریم� باید عهد کنیم که همواره پیش خواهیم رفت. ما نمیتوانی� به عقب بازگردیم. برخیها� از هواخواهان حقوق مدنی میپرسند� «کی راضی خواهید شد؟» ما تا روزی که سیاهپوستان قربانی وحشت غیرقابل بیان بیرحم� پلیسان� نمیتوانی� راضی شویم. تا روزی که تنها� خسته از سفر ما نتوانند بستری در مسافرخانهها� شاهراهه� و هتلها� شهرها پیدا کنند، نمیتوانی� راضی باشیم. تا روزی که تحرک اصلی ما فقط از محلهها� اقلیتنشی� کوچکتر به محلهها� اقلیتنشی� بزرگتر است نمیتوانی� راضی باشیم. تا روزی که شخصیت و احترام فرزندان ما بسادگی با تابلوهای «ویژه� سفیدپوستان» زایل میشود� نمیتوانی� راضی باشیم. تا روزی که سیاهپوستان میس� سی پی حق رای ندارند و سیاهپوستان نیویورک برآنند که چیزی ندارند که به آن رای دهند، نمیتوانی� راضی باشیم. نه! نه، ما راضی نیستیم و راضی نخواهیم شد مگر آنک� عدالت مانند آبشار، و راستکاری چون رودی پرخروش جاری شوند. می دانم که برخی از شما به دلیل مصیبته� و رنجها� سختی که تحمل کردهای� به اینجا آمدهای�. برخی از شما از سلولها� تنگ زندان به اینجا آمدهای�. برخی از شما از جاهایی آمدهای� که در راه آزادیطلب� خود، ناگزیر با توفانها� آزار و خشونت پلیس روبرو شدهای�. شما کهنه سربازان رنجه� و محنتها� خلاقانه هستید.
× چه قدر دلپذیر٬ چه قدر حماسی٬ چه قدر آشنا.
[ترجمه برداشته شده از سایت شفقنا ]
× چه قدر دلپذیر٬ چه قدر حماسی٬ چه قدر آشنا.
[ترجمه برداشته شده از سایت شفقنا ]
May 5, 2012
His words, taken on their own, give me chills and bring tears to my eyes. But seeing Dr. King's beloved speech coupled with the beautiful paintings of Kadir Nelson is absolutely breathtaking. A must have for every classroom, school library, and personal collection.
January 9, 2015
First time actually reading the entire speech...so beautiful! I couldn't help but feel sad, that despite the progress that has been made, there is still so far to go.
April 21, 2022
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." ...
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
This is a beautiful book aimed at kids. It contains important excerpts from that 16' speech in Washington DC on August 28, 1963. The chosen words on great artwork makes my skin get goosebumps on every single page!
The book came with a CD of the speech. The recording is of great clarity. As I started listening to it, I wanted to see Dr King speaking, so I pulled up a YouTube video (but the sound quality was terrible). So I synchronized this CD playing-sound, with the video and tears came to my eyes. What an INCREDIBLE speaker and leader!
I've been to DC many times and walked the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where this speech was given. Just to the south of that spot is the full Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. It lies on 4 acres, with a granite statue 30' tall. It opened for the public in 2011.
This book is the perfect young-person's tribute!
Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!/b>
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
This is a beautiful book aimed at kids. It contains important excerpts from that 16' speech in Washington DC on August 28, 1963. The chosen words on great artwork makes my skin get goosebumps on every single page!
The book came with a CD of the speech. The recording is of great clarity. As I started listening to it, I wanted to see Dr King speaking, so I pulled up a YouTube video (but the sound quality was terrible). So I synchronized this CD playing-sound, with the video and tears came to my eyes. What an INCREDIBLE speaker and leader!
I've been to DC many times and walked the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where this speech was given. Just to the south of that spot is the full Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. It lies on 4 acres, with a granite statue 30' tall. It opened for the public in 2011.
This book is the perfect young-person's tribute!
Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!/b>
April 8, 2019
can't say nothing . i hope he now feels that his dream came true
January 21, 2013
I put off reading this one until today. Honestly, I get lost in Kadir Nelson's work. It's luminous and powerful and the perfect complement to one of the most luminous and powerful speeches of the 20th century. I never get tired of reading/ hearing that speech and I never tire of viewing Nelson's art. A must purchase for all school libraries. You may think you have enough MLK books; but you don't. Your collection is not complete without this one.
February 28, 2023
I shared this book with a group of kids at the recent book fair and they haven't stopped bugging me about readying this book for checkout. It's a beautiful book. Kadir Nelson, with his starkly realistic paintings, brings us up close to the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous speech. Mesmerizing.
January 12, 2017
It’s been awhile since I read his famous “I Have a Dream� speech in its entirety. It’s as moving and powerful now as ever before. This book with Kadir Nelson’s lush illustrations is a great example of how picture books are sometimes works of art.
January 20, 2020
I wanted to celebrate a great life.
A life of hope, determination and fearlessness.
I wanted to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, a man who embodies all the above qualities.
It has been a really long time since I read MLK’s speech “I Have a Dream�, since high school to be precise, but I remember loving it.
I loved the words that preaches acceptance, love and inclusion. It was and still is a very prevalent speech. We see a lot what his vision was come to fruition. Still as a nation we have many, many obstacles to overcome and a long ways to go. Hence why the Black Lives Matter movement was able to make such a large impact that it did.
I’m glad I re-read this speech and was privy to the beautiful illustrations. This speech, these illustrations show the strength of a whole race, individual and if we come come together, an entire country and world.
At this time in our countries massive upheaval words of hope, love and peace are so important. Especially with those that are in power who seem to want to strip those away.
So I applaud this speech and I will applaud it for the rest of my life. I will also make sure that his words will never be silenced that understanding and compassion will never be stifled.
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed � we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.� “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.� MLK
A life of hope, determination and fearlessness.
I wanted to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, a man who embodies all the above qualities.
It has been a really long time since I read MLK’s speech “I Have a Dream�, since high school to be precise, but I remember loving it.
I loved the words that preaches acceptance, love and inclusion. It was and still is a very prevalent speech. We see a lot what his vision was come to fruition. Still as a nation we have many, many obstacles to overcome and a long ways to go. Hence why the Black Lives Matter movement was able to make such a large impact that it did.
I’m glad I re-read this speech and was privy to the beautiful illustrations. This speech, these illustrations show the strength of a whole race, individual and if we come come together, an entire country and world.
At this time in our countries massive upheaval words of hope, love and peace are so important. Especially with those that are in power who seem to want to strip those away.
So I applaud this speech and I will applaud it for the rest of my life. I will also make sure that his words will never be silenced that understanding and compassion will never be stifled.
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed � we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.� “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.� MLK
September 9, 2020
Enthusiastic ! !
January 21, 2013
*This review was written on January 21, 2013, which is both MLK Day and Inauguration Day*
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr Day in the United States and what better way to pay tribute to him than to remember his life and his words. And in Kadir Nelson's stunning book I Have A Dream, you can do that.
I got chills down my back when I first read this beautiful book, the same kind of chills I get whenever I hear Dr. King's moving speech. Now, highlighting the last part of the speech, the dream excerpt, Nelson has given the words of Dr. King's perhaps most memorable speech delivered on August 28, 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to the thousands of people present for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom new life for younger reader to learn about this historic event and its leader.
The powerful words of the speech are complimented with lush, richly textured oil paintings by Nelson. Nelson has really captured the meaning to the words so that the illustration and text reflect each other so well. In the illustration that accompanies the words "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal" it is hard to differentiate individual people, giving the sense of equality yet it also gives the sense of the sheer number of people.
The dream section of the speech is very much about the country's youth and a few pages later, we see the faces of children in great detail catching the very essence and emotion of the I Have a Dream speech - that children are the future of the United States and we will be a better nation if we work together instead of against each other.
This is a inspirational book for kids, kids who were born long after Dr. King's death and for whom he may only be a figure in history and a day off from school. But Nelson's lovely book brings him to life for today's reader and hopefully will instill a new appreciation for the valiant, often dangerous work that was done during the Civil Rights Movement by Dr. King and others. There is a reprint of the entire I Have A Dream speech at the end of the book and a CD of Dr. King giving the speech so readers can hears it has it happened.
But I Have A Dream is also a book for adults, a reminder of the turbulent history of the 1960s and how people can come together as they did in 1963 and bring about change even in a country that sometimes seems as big and as divided as this one can be.
Appropriately enough, 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the I Have a Dream speech and I can't help but wonder what Dr. King would think as the nation swears in its 45th president, Barack Obama, for a second term in office on the same day we honor Dr. King's life.
This book is recommended for readers age 5+ but really appropriate for everyone.
I received this book from the author at BEA 2012.
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr Day in the United States and what better way to pay tribute to him than to remember his life and his words. And in Kadir Nelson's stunning book I Have A Dream, you can do that.
I got chills down my back when I first read this beautiful book, the same kind of chills I get whenever I hear Dr. King's moving speech. Now, highlighting the last part of the speech, the dream excerpt, Nelson has given the words of Dr. King's perhaps most memorable speech delivered on August 28, 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to the thousands of people present for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom new life for younger reader to learn about this historic event and its leader.
The powerful words of the speech are complimented with lush, richly textured oil paintings by Nelson. Nelson has really captured the meaning to the words so that the illustration and text reflect each other so well. In the illustration that accompanies the words "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal" it is hard to differentiate individual people, giving the sense of equality yet it also gives the sense of the sheer number of people.
The dream section of the speech is very much about the country's youth and a few pages later, we see the faces of children in great detail catching the very essence and emotion of the I Have a Dream speech - that children are the future of the United States and we will be a better nation if we work together instead of against each other.
This is a inspirational book for kids, kids who were born long after Dr. King's death and for whom he may only be a figure in history and a day off from school. But Nelson's lovely book brings him to life for today's reader and hopefully will instill a new appreciation for the valiant, often dangerous work that was done during the Civil Rights Movement by Dr. King and others. There is a reprint of the entire I Have A Dream speech at the end of the book and a CD of Dr. King giving the speech so readers can hears it has it happened.
But I Have A Dream is also a book for adults, a reminder of the turbulent history of the 1960s and how people can come together as they did in 1963 and bring about change even in a country that sometimes seems as big and as divided as this one can be.
Appropriately enough, 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the I Have a Dream speech and I can't help but wonder what Dr. King would think as the nation swears in its 45th president, Barack Obama, for a second term in office on the same day we honor Dr. King's life.
This book is recommended for readers age 5+ but really appropriate for everyone.
I received this book from the author at BEA 2012.
April 20, 2015
As a children’s picture book, I commend the illustrator on creating this extraordinary piece of literature. Although Martin Luther King Jr. is the author of this story, the way in which a time in history was broken down into shorter, understandable elements, is remarkable. This story highlights Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech delivered in August in 1963, and selects certain quotes from his speech that were powerful and inspiring. Large, full-page images are created in order to bring those quotes to life.
There were two ways in which I chose to read this text. One was by reading it, which was moving and inspiring. Reading Dr. King’s words were a reminder of how history has shaped our society today. Examining each picture was just as moving. The emotions that the illustrator captured were created to connect the inspiring words on the page to the emotions that were felt during that time. Each picture significantly represented the text with pictures that brought the words to life. Students of all ages, even if they are not literate, can flip through this book and see the emotional connection to this historic event. Reading through the whole speech at the end of the book is what brings the whole book together.
The second way I read this book was through listening to the audio version of Martin Luther King’s speech. Following along as he is reading the words, is a completely different, and still very emotional experience. Hearing one of the greatest leaders in the Civil Rights Movement deliver a speech that changed history is amazing. The pictures truly capture the emotions as Dr. King is reading and allow readers to develop their own emotional reaction as a result. Although I have heard Dr. King’s speech numerous times, listening to it again as I flipped through this story was a different experience.
A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honor Book, this book truly deserves that recognition. Students in classrooms can utilize this book at any age and through multiple lenses. Students in younger grades can do a picture walk and re-tell the story in their own words. Students in upper elementary grades can choose an image and a piece of text that resonates with them and explain the meaning and power behind that piece of text. Students in middle school and high school can examine Dr. King’s speech, and begin to break it apart and understand the themes and messages discussed (although this can be done when guided with younger grades). At any age, this book is wonderful to share as a whole class read aloud, or though an independent lens, especially around Martin Luther King Day.
There were two ways in which I chose to read this text. One was by reading it, which was moving and inspiring. Reading Dr. King’s words were a reminder of how history has shaped our society today. Examining each picture was just as moving. The emotions that the illustrator captured were created to connect the inspiring words on the page to the emotions that were felt during that time. Each picture significantly represented the text with pictures that brought the words to life. Students of all ages, even if they are not literate, can flip through this book and see the emotional connection to this historic event. Reading through the whole speech at the end of the book is what brings the whole book together.
The second way I read this book was through listening to the audio version of Martin Luther King’s speech. Following along as he is reading the words, is a completely different, and still very emotional experience. Hearing one of the greatest leaders in the Civil Rights Movement deliver a speech that changed history is amazing. The pictures truly capture the emotions as Dr. King is reading and allow readers to develop their own emotional reaction as a result. Although I have heard Dr. King’s speech numerous times, listening to it again as I flipped through this story was a different experience.
A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honor Book, this book truly deserves that recognition. Students in classrooms can utilize this book at any age and through multiple lenses. Students in younger grades can do a picture walk and re-tell the story in their own words. Students in upper elementary grades can choose an image and a piece of text that resonates with them and explain the meaning and power behind that piece of text. Students in middle school and high school can examine Dr. King’s speech, and begin to break it apart and understand the themes and messages discussed (although this can be done when guided with younger grades). At any age, this book is wonderful to share as a whole class read aloud, or though an independent lens, especially around Martin Luther King Day.
February 15, 2013
Nelson took on an ambitious project, and made some fine choices. The cinematic techniques are what strikes me most. As I read I moved back and forth between establishing wide shots, medium range shots, and close-ups. Some of the close ups and wide shots are extreme. The cover and the pages with the line "From every mountainside, let freedom ring!" are extreme close ups. Extreme close up has two effects visually. 1. It magnifies the value and intensity of the person being represented (obvous), and 2. It creates a perceptual focus where we tend to block out peripheral vision and be completely drawn into a narrower frame, where we should feel invited to 'come closer' or feel like we have been drawn in too close for comfort. Nelson's style and palette encourage more the former (invited). One of the great aspects of his art is how he generously uses the full double page spread to emphasize either expanse or intense closeness. The hyper-realism of his close ups and mid shots is balanced by the impressionistic style he uses on the wide shots with backgrounds. The shift to a 'sequential frames' sequence for the part where King names each mountain range or mountain is an interesting break from the expansive doubles, and changes the pace of the read-aloud. I believe Nelson understood what he was doing, and met the challenge. Illustrating King's speech was a great way for someone who can do both writing and pictures to allow full focus on matching the pictures to an already known powerful text. There is a balance of symmetrical and complementary illustrations, and nothing at work here to provide counterpoint or deconstruction.
The entire text of MLK, Jr.'s speech is included as an afterword, along with the audio CD with a voice recording. In 2012 a CD is a strange choice for a publisher to make. Now that more people are using wireless internet to access their music collections, the CD in the book feels almost like one of those old vinyl inserts you used to get in a book or magazine back in the 1970s, when the shift had already gone to cassette tapes. What is the new best way today for an author using source material to help direct people to that source material, a way that doesn't scream '20 years ago'?
The entire text of MLK, Jr.'s speech is included as an afterword, along with the audio CD with a voice recording. In 2012 a CD is a strange choice for a publisher to make. Now that more people are using wireless internet to access their music collections, the CD in the book feels almost like one of those old vinyl inserts you used to get in a book or magazine back in the 1970s, when the shift had already gone to cassette tapes. What is the new best way today for an author using source material to help direct people to that source material, a way that doesn't scream '20 years ago'?
March 20, 2016
I Have A Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, artwork by Kadir Nelson; Random House 2012 (original text 1963); Pages:20; Genre: Speech/Historical; Grade level:K-3; Lexile Level: 1130; Guided Reading Level:Q
In this beautiful abridged, picture book copy Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech comes alive. Originally written and spoke on August 28, 1963, Dr. King hoped that someday all people would receive equal rights that they deserved. Spoken at a Civil Rights rally, Dr. King inspired those around him with uplifting verses and powerfully speaking on his part. In an effort to capture his audience, Dr.King used excerpts from Bible verses as well as excerpts from the Star Spangled banner. By using these two sources in addition to his own powerful words, his message transcended many different audiences not only across the United States but also across the world. In an effort to better help children fully grasp the power behind this speech, this book also comes with a CD which contains the full version of Dr. King's speech. Students who are visual learners will be entranced by the beautiful pictures created by Kadir Nelson. The exquisite artwork and the powerful language of Dr. King help to solidify the message that hatred and racism across the United States and the world should not be tolerated.
One lesson that I would do with this text would be to spiral it up for 5th grade. It is important to have text sets of different levels so that kids can use each to build onto the next and create a better understanding for themselves of the content. One assignment that I would have the students do is look at what MLK is saying and how he is using his voice and different language to enhance the point he is trying to make. The students can listen to the CD, look at the abridged version of the text and then I will show them a clip of MLK actually saying the speech in 1963. NYS ELA CCS RL 5.2
Another lesson that I can have the students do is to read this speech by MLK and then look at newspaper clippings from Southern states where some of the rallies for Civil Rights were held. The students will then discuss the discrepancies between the two sources and discuss why they think these discrepancies exist. NYS ELA CCS RL 5.6
In this beautiful abridged, picture book copy Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech comes alive. Originally written and spoke on August 28, 1963, Dr. King hoped that someday all people would receive equal rights that they deserved. Spoken at a Civil Rights rally, Dr. King inspired those around him with uplifting verses and powerfully speaking on his part. In an effort to capture his audience, Dr.King used excerpts from Bible verses as well as excerpts from the Star Spangled banner. By using these two sources in addition to his own powerful words, his message transcended many different audiences not only across the United States but also across the world. In an effort to better help children fully grasp the power behind this speech, this book also comes with a CD which contains the full version of Dr. King's speech. Students who are visual learners will be entranced by the beautiful pictures created by Kadir Nelson. The exquisite artwork and the powerful language of Dr. King help to solidify the message that hatred and racism across the United States and the world should not be tolerated.
One lesson that I would do with this text would be to spiral it up for 5th grade. It is important to have text sets of different levels so that kids can use each to build onto the next and create a better understanding for themselves of the content. One assignment that I would have the students do is look at what MLK is saying and how he is using his voice and different language to enhance the point he is trying to make. The students can listen to the CD, look at the abridged version of the text and then I will show them a clip of MLK actually saying the speech in 1963. NYS ELA CCS RL 5.2
Another lesson that I can have the students do is to read this speech by MLK and then look at newspaper clippings from Southern states where some of the rallies for Civil Rights were held. The students will then discuss the discrepancies between the two sources and discuss why they think these discrepancies exist. NYS ELA CCS RL 5.6
January 30, 2013
There could be no better pairing than the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the illustrations of Kadir Nelson. The forty page picture book comes with a CD of King's famous "I have a dream" speech from 1963, allowing the reader to hear the prosody with which he spoke, that drew in so many listeners from that point forward.
The illustrations equal the intensity of the speech/text, with dramatic angles and lighting of realistic paintings that place you into that moment in 1963. Some pages illustrate Dr. King presenting the speech, while Nelson intermixes images of King's words come true ("I have a dream that one day...little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today." is placed within the painting of children holding hands and playing). The colors in this picture book are deep and rich, that focus so deeply on the words of the page. Each time I read this book, I get goosebumps.
I feel that the uses of this book in the classroom are limitless. You could discuss the history behind Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the racial inequality during his lifetime. It would also be great to discuss during writer's workshop--noticing the choices Kadir Nelson included into his pictures and the powerful effect illustrations have on a book. I could also see the speech, and the CD included being used to prepare students for giving speeches, noting qualities that have made the historic speech so memorable.
It is no wonder to me why this book would be deserving of the Coretta Scott King Honor Book Award this year.
The illustrations equal the intensity of the speech/text, with dramatic angles and lighting of realistic paintings that place you into that moment in 1963. Some pages illustrate Dr. King presenting the speech, while Nelson intermixes images of King's words come true ("I have a dream that one day...little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today." is placed within the painting of children holding hands and playing). The colors in this picture book are deep and rich, that focus so deeply on the words of the page. Each time I read this book, I get goosebumps.
I feel that the uses of this book in the classroom are limitless. You could discuss the history behind Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the racial inequality during his lifetime. It would also be great to discuss during writer's workshop--noticing the choices Kadir Nelson included into his pictures and the powerful effect illustrations have on a book. I could also see the speech, and the CD included being used to prepare students for giving speeches, noting qualities that have made the historic speech so memorable.
It is no wonder to me why this book would be deserving of the Coretta Scott King Honor Book Award this year.
November 28, 2012
The power of Martin Luther King’s words meet the beauty of Nelson’s art in this luminous picture book. Using lines pulled directly from the latter part of King’s famous I Have a Dream speech, Nelson shows young readers how history was made that day. From King himself standing before the Lincoln Memorial to the seas of people listening, people of all colors standing side-by-side. Kadir moves back and forth between capturing the magnificence of King and his speech to images of what the world being dreamed of would look like. There are beautiful skin tones shown together as well as impressive vistas of the nation. Pure celebration, this is a picture book that truly captures the heart of King’s speech in a way that children will be able to understand.
Nelson’s art has already won him a Caldecott Honor. Here he has the courage to take on a famous man at his more memorable moment. But he doesn’t just show us the history, he illuminates it. King shines with light, stands with power, and beams with faith. There is a humanity to him too, somehow Nelson has captured what is beneath the skin too. Beautifully.
One of my favorite images of the book is the pair of white and black hands joined together. Against a plain white background, the hands are such a powerful symbol. Kadir paired those joined hands with a section about faith, so the two joined together become a prayer of their own too.
This book belongs in every library, both for the historical power of the moment being captured, but also for its exceptional beauty and art. Appropriate for ages 7-9.
Nelson’s art has already won him a Caldecott Honor. Here he has the courage to take on a famous man at his more memorable moment. But he doesn’t just show us the history, he illuminates it. King shines with light, stands with power, and beams with faith. There is a humanity to him too, somehow Nelson has captured what is beneath the skin too. Beautifully.
One of my favorite images of the book is the pair of white and black hands joined together. Against a plain white background, the hands are such a powerful symbol. Kadir paired those joined hands with a section about faith, so the two joined together become a prayer of their own too.
This book belongs in every library, both for the historical power of the moment being captured, but also for its exceptional beauty and art. Appropriate for ages 7-9.
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