Multicultural Genre: My Brother Martin

BOOK ENTRY FORMAT FOR GENRE PROJECT


Information for students
Author: Christine King Farris Title: My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Book Genre: Multicultural Publishing Info: Simon & Schuster, Inc., 40 pp.

Summary: This story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is unlike any other story ever written about him. It is told from the point of view of his sister. She depicts him as a normal child, playing pranks and playing with children of different race. She tells what it was like realizing that they were looked down upon because they were black. There was nothing their parents could do to shield them from the truth. Martin and his siblings realize they are different when their white friends are told by their parents that they can no longer play with them because they are “negros.” This is the turning point for Martin and he decides that “he is going to turn this world upside down.” It shows how one single event, can change a person’s life. In this case, it changed American society to what it is today.

Personal rating: ****

Rationale: I would recommend this book to anyone. It was a great way to learn about Martin Luther King Jr. The reader learned about his past, so that they could better understand his future. By being told from his sister’s point of view it made it seem more like a story. It showed that he was just like any other normal child growing up. Children will learn without ever realizing it.

Information for teachers
Reading level: 5.0 Interest level: K – 8th

Thematic Areas: family, equality, fairness, justice, prejudice and tolerance, growing up

Content Areas: history, social studies, Civil Rights Movement, African Americans

Potential Problems or Difficulties: none

Possible use in classroom: Make a KWL chart and have students think about what they already know, what they want to know, and what they have learned about Martin Luther King Jr. Have students help plan a birthday party for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Have them think of who to invite. Bring in speakers to talk to the class about prejudices and discrimination. They can decorate the room with banners saying “peace, freedom, equality, etc.” Have someone read the “I have a dream” speech. Have students brainstorm and think about ways they can work on eliminating prejudices in their community. Have student write in their journal about their dreams and goals. Have students research some of the laws during that time period that segregated whites from blacks. Research other people who played an important role in desegregation.