Adler, David A. Illustrated by Colin Bootman. 2001. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: Holiday House.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life is told by Adler in a way that younger readers will be able to understand. Adler begins with King’s birth in 1929 and describes events in his life that made him the man that is celebrated across the United States. When Martin was six years old, he was told that two of his friends could no longer play with him because he was black and they were white. Martin’s mother and grandmother explained hate and prejudice to him while still telling him that he was as good as anyone else. “Martin said later they taught him ‘sombodiness’”. The text is sparse, yet Adler has portrayed the life of Dr. King in a way that readers will understand his motivation and that he worked to ensure equal rights for everyone. Bootman’s two-page realistic paintings portray not only the life of Dr. King, but the world in which he lived. This edition is a wonderful addition that will prove useful for both research and education for readers and teachers alike.