Martin Mahalia: His Words, Her Song by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Martin Mahalia: His Words, Her Song Reviews

• 
  Barbara

  Juxtaposing the moving words of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the melodic tones of Mahalia Jackson, this book provides background information about the two while describing their involvement in the civil rights movement and their friendship. The book makes it clear that inspiration and motivation for change come from many sources. The author's pitch-perfect prose and the marvelous watercolor and India ink illustrations include snippets from both of their lives. The pairing of the two provides a fresh perspective on the story of civil rights in this nation. Although many readers may be aware of the importance of singing to rouse and comfort the protesters during that particular time period, they may not have realized just how important music was.
• 
  Caroline

  This was a really nice story about Martin Luther King Jr. and his friend Mahalia Jackson, who until reading this book I didn't know too much about. I thought it was a nice story, but there were a lot of religious undertones that made the book feel more like a call to Christianity than a history or biography of Martin and Mahalia. I wanted to feel more inspired by what they did and not the religion they both subscribed to.
• 
  Joan

  This book depicts the relationship between the speech and music of the 1950s-1960s, in Louisiana. The watercolor art is done by New York Times bestselling Husband-and-wife team.
  The ties of all three people are evident and well represent the African culture and Americans. It speaks well of the civil rights movement, but also the arts. Great for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
  (2013). Publishers Weekly.
  http://www.booksinprint.com/DetailedV...#
  Wayne Public Library
  1. What talents did Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahalia Jackson use to change the world?
  2. Why were leaders needed to change the treatment of people in the 1960s?
  3. Name three ways our school treats all students with respect.
  4. Compare the work of the two and explain how they differ, but both necessary.
  5 . Pick any painting in the book and relate how the drawing and colors bring emotion to the words.
  6. Create your own art to share a form of racial acceptance.
• 
  Heidi Goehmann

  I love picture books like this with a great vantage point of history, poetic language, and research and resources at the end.
• 
  Kifflie

  I am writing this review after just finding out today about the passing of John Lewis. We are losing so many of the elders of the civil rights movement. And civil rights are back at the forefront once more in this country.
  
  Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahalia Jackson both had gifts of spreading the gospel -- one through speech, the other through music. Their stories are told together in sweeping words and illustrations.
  
  It was Mahalia who called out to Martin during his speech at the March on Washington and encouraged him to tell the crowd about his dream.
  
  This is a beautiful picture book to introduce children to these two giants in Black history.
• 
  Nancy Kotkin

  Text: 4 stars
  Illustrations: 5 stars
  
  Beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book about the collaboration between Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahalia Jackson, and the motivation they jointly provided for the civil rights movement in the 1960s. More of an artistic and inspirational book than a biography. Includes a civil rights timeline and suggested further reading.
• 
  Shelli

  A beautiful non-fiction picture book of two people whose voices roused a movement of equality for all. Martin Luther King's speeches and Mahalia Jackson's singing worked together perfectly to light up many hearts & souls. Make sure to read this to your kiddos and then share a video of there message, such as this one:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odHqG...
• 
  Melissa Berke

  Reflection on ONE: Text to text, text to self, text to world connection with the book
  In 2005, I had the opportunity to tour the Birmingham Civil Rights institute. The museum's collection chronicle the civil rights movement and contain video, documents of events including recordings of MLK speeches and Mahalia Jackson singing.
  
  Write six discussion questions using all six stages of Bloom’s Taxonomy
  1. Knowledge:
  When do the events of this book take place?
  
  2. Comprehension:
  Describe the method that Martin Luther King and his followers used throughout the Civil Rights Movement.
  
  3. Application:
  Design a picket sign that you could carry along the march with Martin Luther King.
  
  4. Analysis:
  Compare/contrast the lives of Mahalia and Martin. Although they worked together, how are were they different? How were they the same.
  
  5. Synthesis:
  Mrs. Smith's class is being treated differently than our class. They have more recess, they get lunch from a restaurant everyday, and they have desks and supplies that are brand new. Using the principles that Mahalia and Martin used, how might you work for equal treatment of both classes?
  
  6. Evaluation:
  What do you believe would be the most difficult thing for someone participating in the "March on Washington"?
  
  
  An adapted book review citation:
  
  http://www.booklistonline.com/Martin-...
• 
  Karen

  Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song wins the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for showing the power of a single voice to inspire a nation, and how the joining of two remarkable voices change the world. This book is a beautiful bedtime story for younger children, as well as an excellent choice for early and middle grade readers.
  
  Read the full review:
  https://selfrescuingprincesssociety.b...
• 
  Michelle Moore

  Core Curricular Ties: Social Studies, Reading, Art
  
  How Could Be Used:
  This book could be used for learning about the Civil Rights and segregation. It gives a lot of information about two people that used their voices to speak up for change. They could also use compare and contrast to explain that even though they used their voices in different ways, they had the same goal for change. There are also some literary devices (his voice was steady as a train.) Brian Pinkney uses a lot of imagery and symbolism in his art. He has a page at the back of the book that explains why he choose to do the art the way that he did. The pictures are beautiful and vibrant so kids would enjoy creating some watercolor painting that emulate this story.
  
  Rationale:
  This is a strong book that shows some of the hardships that Black/African American people went through. It demonstrates how hard people worked for a change. Not only is this book culturally diverse in that it teaches tolerance and working for change, but it also has a lot of true information with beautiful pictures. Students would be engaged with this book.
• 
  Mary Ann

  While Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke the gospel and led his people with his words, Mahalia Jackson sang the gospel and spread the word through her song. The Pinkneys show through inspiring words and pictures how these two pivotal figures in the Civil Rights Movement worked together to lead the American people with their voices. “Martin’s sermons and Mahalia’s spirituals told their listeners: YOU ARE HERE. On the path. Come along. Step proud. Stand strong. Be brave. Go with me. To a place, to a time, when all will BE FREE.” Full of hope, this beautiful book captures the way these two leaders came together to use their gifts to call for change.
  
• 
  Samantha

  Side-by-side views of what Martin and Mahalia contributed to the Civil Rights Movement. Watercolor artwork depicts key moments such as the March on Washington.
  
  I liked the way the page orientation changed to fit the content. The scene in which Martin looks out upon the crowd of thousands assembled at the Lincoln Memorial was stunning. By changing the page orientation for this scene readers get a better sense of the number of people who were witness to this historic moment.
  
  Also included are author/illustrator noters, further reading list, selected discography, and a timeline.
  
  Recommended for class use regarding notable African Americans and Civil Rights for grades 3-5.
• 
  Holly Mueller

  Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahalia Jackson were partners in the civil rights movement. They both used their voices to make changes, inspiring people by using their gifts - he with his moving speeches and she with her songs. I love the last couple page spreads when the book culminates like a gospel song, singing "Amen, Amen, Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, Glory Hallelujah!" Brian Pinkney's illustrations are energetic, full of movement. A dove is flying throughout the story, symbolizing peace, and explained more fully in the illustrator's notes in the back. Andrea Pinkney teaches us a lot about this inspiring pair. The whole design of the book is creative and inspiring.
• 
  Crystal Sleeman

  Text to Text: I've always been very moved by Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream speech. This text made reference to this speech by referring to the final lines of the speech.
  Discussion Questions:
  1. What is Martin Luther King known for?
  2. What would you compare Martin and Mahalia?
  3. What would have resulted if Mahalia had not sang at Martin's speech?
  4. What is the relationship between Martin and Mahalia?
  5. What would happen if the listeners to the speech had turned violent?
  6. Can you assess the value or importance of religion in this story?
  Citation:(2013, April 01). Booklist.
  http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=f...
• 
  Becky

  Another powerful book from the Pinkney team! This book draws parallels between the preaching/speaking voice of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the singing voice of Mahalia Jackson. Both grew up in the black church in the South during segregation. Both learned to use their voices to praise God, as well as work for justice. They began to work together during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and both "performed" during the March on Washington. A powerful comparison. Back matter includes a bibliography, a discography, a timeline, and an illustrator's note.
• 
  Rebecca

  The friendship between Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahalia Jackson grew to be an important partnership in the civil rights movement. In a book that is all about two voices' power to move people (in a largely gospel way), Brian Pinkney's illustrations do a fine job showing this in a visual way, even changing the orientation of the book at times. There are plenty of books about MLK Jr., and this one takes a different angle, which is nice.
  
  "Mahalia's voice was brass and butter. Strong and smooth at the same time."
• 
  Rachel Dalton

  I give this book five starts, hands down. I am amazed by this book, including the illustrations by Caldecott winner Brian Pinkney and the beautiful way that a true, historical story is portrayed by Coretta Scott King Award winner Andrea Davis Pinkney. I really want to find more of their books! This story about Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahalia Jackson could be used in such a multitude of ways in the classroom for any age, including studies on the Civil Rights movement, a music appreciation study on different singers, and lessons on questioning.
• 
  Christopher

  A nice poetic story of the friendship between Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahalia Jackson. The Pinkneys (Andrea Davis & Brian) have written and illustratd another winner. Brian Pinkney's use of watercolors instead of his signature scratchboard designs is a nice fit for this story. A healthy amount of backmatter gives kids enough information about the times to pique their curiosity and maybe go off on their own to learn more. A great read.
• 
  Penny Peck

  This picture book celebration of two civil rights icons is very brief, but can serve as a nice introduction to the subject for primary graders. A great readaloud for the MLK, Jr. Holiday, pair this with musical recordings by Mahalia Jackson. The narrative describes how each as a child was brought up to advocate for civil rights as part of their church experiences. The watercolor illustrations have energy and depict their faces realistically. A good book to offer Sunday School teachers as well.
• 
  Christina Getrost

  Beautifully intertwines brief stories of Martin Luther King Jr and Mahalia Jackson's lives, leading up to the March on Washington DC in 1963 where they were both key speakers (or singer). Bright colorful swirling art, with a vertical "centerfold" (to best view the center two-page spread you have to turn book sideways). Is a "vignette" of the lives of these two significant African American figures in American history.
• 
  Laura

  Every child learns about Martin Luther King and his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington. This story traces King's well-known story and adds the story of Mahalia Jackson, a gospel singer. I loved the fresh take and beautiful parallelism of the story. This is definitely a book I'll be adding to my elementary school collection and one that I will recommend to teachers.
• 
  Julie Esanu

  This amazing duo illustrates the power of words and songs of Martin Luther King and Mahalia Jackson as they lead readers along the path to Civil Rights, culminating in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Interesting endnotes and useful timeline included. With the emphasis on actions, it would be a great book for language arts integration to teach verbs.
• 
  Karen Arendt

  One of the best books for young children I have read on Martin Luther King, Jr. and his march on Washington. This book shares some of what the civil right movement was all about by illustrating Jim Crow laws and the treatment of african-americans I like how certain words were large, bold, and in color to express the importance. Those words could lead to a writing project on civil rights.