My Uncle Martin's Words for America

K-Gr 4—This book is a worthy successor to My Uncle Martin's Big Heart (Abrams, 2010). Told from the perspective of Martin Luther King's niece as a young girl, the moving text powerfully describes the tremendous societal and legal changes that resulted from Dr. King's leadership of the Civil Rights Movement. Terms such as "justice" and "brotherhood" receive clear and succinct definitions, and repetitive phrases encourage children's understanding of them. ("When Uncle Martin used the word NONVIOLENCE, people listened, and things began to change!" "When Uncle Martin used the word FREEDOM, people listened, and things changed!") The book depicts the oppression and persecution the Kings endured, including the bombing of their home and Dr. King's arrest, with no mention of his assassination. The narrative captures the complexity of the era while maintaining a fully realized child-centered voice. A comprehensive index features topics barely mentioned in the text, and the author's note seems unnecessary. Paintings in a vibrant palette show recognizable portraits of famous African Americans. A personable and powerful account of the human voice that emboldened a nation.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC