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A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation Hardcover – Illustrated, August 27, 2019

by Barry Wittenstein (Author), Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 140 ratings
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As a new generation of activists demands an end to racism, A Place to Land reflects on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and the movement that it galvanized.

Winner of the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
Selected for the Texas Bluebonnet Master List

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.

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.

Barry Wittenstein teams up with legendary illustrator Jerry Pinkney to tell the story of how, against all odds, Martin found his place to land.

An ALA Notable Children's Book
A Capitol Choices Noteworthy Title
Nominated for an NAACP Image Award
A Bank Street Best Book of the Year
A Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
A Booklist Editors' Choice
Named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal
Selected for the CBC Champions of Change Showcase
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    7 - 10 years
  2. Print length
    48 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    2 - 5
  5. Lexile measure
    990L
  6. Dimensions
    10.28 x 0.42 x 11.26 inches
  7. Publisher
    Neal Porter Books
  8. Publication date
    August 27, 2019
  9. ISBN-10
    0823443310
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0823443314
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

Martin luther king jr;mlk;mlk day;civil rights;civil rights history;American history for kids;

* "Wittenstein's riveting story shows that historical moments—and movements—are not inevitable; they're shaped and changed by many hands and voices." —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

us history for kids;civil rights for kids;social justice;social justice picture books;black history;

The story behind one of the most celebrated speeches in America's history.

On the night before the historic March on Washington, Martin Luther King Jr. debated, worked, and wrote late into the night, trying to decide what to say— and how to say it.

This little-known story celebrates not only the famed 'I Have a Dream' speech, but the influences of many other pioneering Civil Rights leaders who helped shape those famous words.

African American history;black history month;black lives matter;I have a dream;

American politics;American history;civil rights movement;march on Washington;

Caldecott artists;Caldecott winners;picture books American history;black history picture books;

* "Wittenstein’s free verse, beautifully subdued, flows crisp and clear, leaving room for Pinkney to shine."—Booklist, Starred Review

Extensive backmatter features letters from the author and illustrator, expanding upon the book and their work, brief biographies of the other civil rights leaders portrayed, sources, and a bibliography.

* "Gives readers a fresh and thrilling sense of what it took to make history." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Barry Wittenstein’s poetic text provides the cadences and repetition of a preacher, while Pinkney’s detailed, kinetic pencil and watercolor art incorporates bits of torn maps and sheet music and blurry period photos of marchers."—The New York Times

★ "Wittenstein's free-verse narrative perfectly captures the tension leading up to the speech as each adviser urged his own ideas while remaining a supportive community. Pinkney's trademark illustrations dramatize this and the speech, adding power and further illuminating the sense of historical importance. Gives readers a fresh and thrilling sense of what it took to make history." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ "The urgency of the text, underscored by boldface type marking the relentless passing of the hours, is complemented beautifully by Pinkney's more contemplative art. . . . This is essential American history, distilled into one of the most powerful picture books of the year." —The Horn Book, Starred Review

★ "Wittenstein’s free verse, beautifully subdued, flows crisp and clear, leaving room for Pinkney to shine. Collage artwork gives the impression of torn fabric—a striking metaphor—with holes being patched by old photographs of hymnals, maps, marchers, and flags, adding texture and tension to the expressive pencil and watercolor renderings."—Booklist, Starred Review

★ "Wittenstein's riveting story shows that historical moments—and movements—are not inevitable; they're shaped and changed by many hands and voices. In emphatic phrases and art alternatingly warm and tense, the creators' moving portrait of the civil rights leader in consultation with others is an invaluable addition to the shelf of King biographies." —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ "an evocative study in King's speechwriting process. A work that takes a familiar topic and shapes it into a moving portrait of ­undeterred determination and conviction."—School Library Journal, Starred Review

"a vivid snapshot of a moment of creative, collaborative, persuasive energy that takes the topic far beyond 'didja know'-style trivia about a historic event and focuses on the subtle elements that can change a speech forever. Pinkney’s familiar watercolor portraiture takes on a new level here from the addition of graphite and colored-pencil textures and collage notes; captions to identify inspirations and attending luminaries float softly like benedictions, while sign lettering, both segregationist and protest, cuts sharply through cloudy backgrounds."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"[The] book, illustrated with enormous heart and rich textures by Jerry Pinkney, presents Dr. King's inspiring words as part of an outsize pageant, featuring King, the crowds and others on the stage, including Mahalia Jackson, who urged King, 'Tell them about the dream!'"—The Washington Post

About the Author

Barry Wittenstein is the author of several picture books, including Waiting for Pumpsie and The Boo-Boos That Changed the World: A True Story About an Accidental Invention (Really). He is pursuing a Masters in Childhood Education at Hunter College and lives in New York City.

Legendary author and illustrator Jerry Pinkney's many accolades include the Caldecott Medal, five Coretta Scott King Awards, five Coretta Scott King Honor Awards, four New York Times Best Illustrated Books, and four gold medals from the Society of Illustrators. He served on the National Council of the Arts, is a Trustee Emeritus of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, and has taught at Pratt Institute, the University of Delaware, and the University of Buffalo. He lives in Westchester, New York.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Neal Porter Books; Illustrated edition (August 27, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0823443310
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0823443314
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 10 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 990L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 2 - 5
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.26 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.28 x 0.42 x 11.26 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 140 ratings

About the author

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Barry Wittenstein

Barry Wittenstein

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I write picture books. Some are narrative nonfiction, some are historical fiction, some are just fiction.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
140 global ratings
Teacher’s Perspective
5 Stars
Teacher’s Perspective
Jerry Pinkney does.not.disappoint. If you see his name listed as an illustrator, you know you need to buckle up for artistic greatness. And A PLACE TOLAND is no different. Wow.When the art is combined with the powerful story about the excruciatingly long writing process of MLK’s now famous “I Have a Dream” the night before he breathed life into his incomplete speech, you’ve got yourselves a winner, friends.What a rich source of inquiry for a social justice unit, or an informational text study, or to discuss the writing process, or to introduce Langston Hughes and some of his poetry... This is a skinny book with big ideas and I 👏🏻 am👏🏻 here 👏🏻 for 👏🏻 it.HIGHLY recommend!
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Top reviews from the United States

OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE STATE UNIVERSITY - OPSU
5.0 out of 5 stars MLK, JR.
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2021
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This is a perfect title for Black History Month.
One person found this helpful
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Polly Glotz
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful illustrations. Story well told
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2020
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As always Jerry Pinckneys illustrations are breathtaking. My kids loved all his nooks and now my grandchildren are enjoying them.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2020
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This book is a great read with wonderful illustrations.
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Kari L.
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Account of This Famous Speech
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
I used this narrative for research-- it shares lesser-known details of an iconic moment in history. And the illustrations are absolutely mesmerizing!
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Sara R
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning and poetic
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2023
Stunning, poetic, moving, are only a small handful of the words I would use to describe this book. A Place To Land has proven to me once again the power of children’s picture books and the importance of having books like this published.

We know the story of Martin Luther King Jr. and the March on Washington. But trust me when I say you haven’t heard it told in this way. The author and illustrator combine their immense talents to paint a stunning portrait of the 24 hours surrounding the March on Washington. I appreciate the timeline depicted, the long night before the march with Martin brainstorming with close comrades, the hours painstakingly writing and rewriting his speech, and the moment when he seems to free his heart as well as his mind and speaks with passion to the thousands of people in front of him.

The illustrations are intricate and beautiful, proving to be a perfect match the authors words. I will be pretty sad to return this book to the library but at the same time this needs to shared!
One person found this helpful
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Jennifer
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and Beautiful Biography
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2019
Written by Barry Wittenstein and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation, provides a creative take on the nurturing team of Black intellectuals and activists that King surrounded himself with as he worked to make meaningful social and economic change. The important picture book offers an inventive behind-the-scenes look at King before and during his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington on March 28, 1963.

Wittenstein writes with a subtle but pulsing rhythm that builds as he narrates the racial violence that inspires King’s speech: “Heroes, all,/ chased by snarling police dogs,/ knocked off their feet/ by high-pressure water jets, arrested, beaten, shot, and hung,/ shocked and poked by cattle prods,/ their homes,/ schools, and churches/ burned and bombed.” An image of King, chin resting on crossed hands that hold a pencil, prepared to write, as his eyes gaze forward pensively, is framed by sketches of the community he works with and dreams for. Page after page, image after image, tells the story of a man who understands the power of words to counter the violence of fists and bombs.

When King stands behind the podium, he isn’t alone. He is surrounded by supporters who inspire him as well as the spiritual beliefs that guide him. By the end of the speech, Jerry Pinkney illustrates King glowing, the community gathered to hear him and demand change with him are swaying, everyone in awe – together.

The story moves forward to hours later, when King meets with Kennedy who Wittenstein notes “had been slow to embrace the civil rights movement.” It moves forward again to the evening, when King and the team of Black activists and leaders he works with celebrate the power of King’s words and the passion of his delivery.

This is a gorgeous picture book, art and text pair beautifully as a snapshot of history is communicated with vibrancy and clarity. I highly recommend this book, particularly for older picture book readers (7 – 11). This will make a wonderful addition to school libraries and can be used to enrich history lessons or shared as a biography.
3 people found this helpful
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Katgirrl
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed reading with my 9 year old
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
Would say that it is slightly juvenile for his reading level - this is more like 6-9 vs the 7-11 set.
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Panda Incognito
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, Educational, Accurate, and Beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2019
This is phenomenal. The lyrical writing and collage illustrations combine beautifully, sharing the story of how MLK composed the "I Have a Dream Speech" at the last minute and improvised its most essential part. This book lives up to its inspiring content in every way, and the author's attention to both textual rhythm and content is amazing. The book reads like poetry while remaining breathtakingly accurate to the historical record, and the notes in the back of the book provide support for the smallest details, share additional historical context, and summarize information about the other Civil Rights figures who appeared throughout. This is a wonderful story and a great educational resource, and I highly recommend it.

My favorite aspect of this book, however, is how it celebrates MLK's identity and influence as a Baptist preacher. Many books about Civil Rights figures gloss over their faith commitments, obscuring their motivating beliefs and robbing them of their distinctiveness in an attempt to appeal to broad audiences. This book shatters the mold. Instead of presenting MLK as an inspiring speaker who happened to be a pastor at home, the author introduces him as a Baptist preacher first and foremost, showing how his power to inspire flowed from the concepts, language, rhythm, and enduring faith that had shaped his ideology and public discourse for years. Even though this attention to MLK's Christian faith shouldn't be unusual, this book stands out in a crowded market by celebrating the ways that his passionate preaching and deep theology changed the world.
3 people found this helpful
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