Honest Abe, By Edith Kunhardt, Illustrated by Malcah Zeldis
      This story details the life of Abraham Lincoln. It begins with his childhood by describing his family life and his origins. He grew up mostly in log cabins and one-room houses. His mother died while Lincoln was still a child, but his father remarried to a woman named Sally. Eventually, Lincoln went to school while working and became a lawyer after three years of school. Next, Lincoln was voted into Congress and then ran for Senate. He lost the Senate election but he later won the presidential election against the same opponent. The Civil War soon followed his election, but Lincoln fought for the abolishment of slavery by signing the Emancipation Proclamation. The Thirteenth Amendment was later signed into the Constitution which banned slavery. Lincoln also famously delivered the Gettysburg Address honoring the lives lost in the battle at Gettysburg. The story ends with Lincoln's assassination. After he passed away, he was missed by many and had ten funerals in different cities until he came to his final resting place in Springfield, Ilinois. The last pages of the book contain the Gettysburg Address and a timeline of Abraham Lincoln's life.
      This book is most appropriate for first, second, and third graders. It has simple sentences and simplifies ideas about slavery and politics. The illustrations are also vibrant and engaging. Additionally, it is short enough to hold the attention of young students but is packed with useful information. The way the story is told with personal details about Lincoln in a narrative form truly makes Lincoln come to life for the reader. This would be a fantastic book to use for a project or paper about Abraham Lincoln. The timeline in the back would be helpful for this too. Additionally, students could dramatically interpret the events in the book and make it into a play. The teacher could also write a reader's theater script based on this book. The teacher would read the book first and then lead a class discussion about various aspects of Lincoln's life. Next, the students would look over the script and perform it with props and dramatic reading.

my brother Martin, by Christine King Farris, Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet
        This picture storybook is told by Martin Luther King Jr.'s older sister, Christine King Farris. She remembers the day that he was born and that he slept in her old crib. She also remembers the day her youngest brother, A.D., was born. She recounts the antics of her and her siblings like scaring people on the street with a mink stole. However, Farris also recounts how their white childhood friends eventually refused to play with her brothers because of their skin color. After this, it brought the King siblings to a new understanding of the discrimination around them. Their mom explained the unfair laws and horrible treatment. She also explained her belief that one day this will be different to which her son, Martin Luther King, expressed that he will change the unfairness. Their father also expressed how he handled discrimination. He was never disrespectful to anyone, but he never let himself be disrespected either. Martin Luther King Jr.'s experiences and parents influenced his dream and the movement that he began. The book ends by mentioning that he did have a dream "that turned the world upside down." The end of the book also includes a poem by Mildred D. Johnson that inspires readers to imitate Martin Luther King's qualities. This book has won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for children.
      This book would be most appropriate in second, third, and fourth-grade classrooms. It is a great example of a reliable primary source when working on a research project or paper. Students could use this book when learning the research and writing process. It is written in language that is easy to understand and is engaging for the students. Additionally, this book would be great for a read-aloud in the classroom during Black History Month or when students are learning about the Civil Rights movement in social studies. It appropriately portrays the brutality of discrimination for the age of the students without overwhelming them with the gore and violence of the time. Additionally, students could also read this book when they are learning about character traits like respect or self-respect, courage, and grit. The poem in the back of the book also inspires readers to become like Martin Luther King Jr. in various ways like reading, praying, being peaceful, and being intelligent. This could inspire students to become like him in certain aspects and appreciate his character traits. Anyone has the potential to change the course of history. Additionally, students could write similar poems about other historical figures either from the Civil Rights Movement or other events. This allows students to express themselves through poetry and make the historical figure more real to them.