A Place to Land: MLK, Jr.'s DREAM Challenges Us

Happy Birthday Celebration Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. There will never be "too many" books about this remarkable man whose national and global leadership and sacrifice should never be forgotten. 

Neal Porter Books, 2019

A PLACE TO LAND: Martin Luther King, Jr. and The Speech That Inspired a Nation is
among the remarkable nominated for Cybils nonfiction awards for 2019. There were several about this iconic man. This one stands out, a product of impressive collaboration by author Barry Wittenstein, illustrator Jerry Pinkney, and publisher Neal Porter Books.
Watch for this title to garner multiple awards and honors in the coming weeks, particularly at ALA Midwinter Conference in Philadelphia January 24-26.

I write my own notes about the outstanding books I choose to share here, but in this case I'll quote directly what Indiebound.org says, which is exactly what I want you to know:

"Much has been written about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 1963 March on Washington. But there's little on his legendary speech and how he came to write it. Find out more in this gripping book with illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was once asked if the hardest part of preaching was knowing where to begin. No, he said. The hardest part is knowing where to end. "It's terrible to be circling up there without a place to land."Finding this place to land was what Martin Luther King, Jr. struggled with, alongside advisors and fellow speech writers, in the Willard Hotel the night before the March on Washington, where he gave his historic "I Have a Dream" speech. But those famous words were never intended to be heard on that day, not even written down for that day, not even once." 

When I began this blog eight years ago, one of my earliest posts shared thoughts about why MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. is such a personal hero of mine. If you have the time and haven't read that early post before, I invite you to do so. In it I include a variety of titles that can (and should, IMO) be read and shared across many ages. As I continue in my ninth year of considering and celebrating wonderful picture books, the list of recommended titles related to MLK,Jr. has grown. In the next few days I'll share some very recent titles and add them to my page of suggested books to consider. 
For now, on this celebration day, let's retain the focus on this remarkable story. It is a story of dedication, mindfulness, intention, collaboration, and grace. 

After reading it, I also encourage you to seek out and read a book about a very significant behind-the-scenes contributor to this iconic event, the speech, and many other aspects of the Civil Rights era (and beyond). I wrote about TROUBLEMAKER FOR JUSTICE: BAYARD RUSTIN in a post on my website blog, here. Co-authors Jacqueline Houtman, Walter Naegle, and Michael G. Long have produced an authoritative story of the many ways in which Bayard Rustin should be celebrated today, too, and every day, for the ways in which determination, hard work, and collaboration can change the world.

Whether our interest is in the Women's March, the Fridays For Future, the MARCH FOR OUR LIVES, or BLACK LIVES MATTER, let's not fall into the trap of imagining ourselves as activists because we scroll through various sources, verify validity of content, and then speak up for others (and TRUTH) among our various contacts. 

Those steps matter. 
Reading these books and sharing them matters. 
But taking actual STEPS matters more.
That might involve SHOWING UP at a meeting, march, or protest for which others have done the hard work to organize and promote it. 
Or volunteering to help on the next project. 
Or making phone calls. 
Or lending design skills. 
Or writing skills. 
Or registering voters.
Or offering rides to those who need them. 
Or... getting inspired and finding ways to offer yourself to the betterment of our world. 
Others who have done so can inspire you.

Start today.