Parents' Guide to

Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day

By Myiesha Speight, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Lyrical memoir in verse traces fight for MLK Day.

Book Kathlyn J. Kirkwood Autobiography 2022
Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day Poster Image

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What's the Story?

AIN'T GONNA LET NOBODY TURN ME 'ROUND: MY STORY OF THE MAKING OF MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY, a memoir-in-verse, begins with Kathlyn at 17 as she explains the racial unrest happening in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Kathlyn's first protest at 17 was in support of the Black sanitation workers who needed safer working conditions and better pay. Kathlyn's life as an activist continued when, while in college, she protested the lack of Black faculty and racism on campus. After college, she worked, got married, and lived her life, but she always found her way back to activism.

As Black people were fighting for equality and change, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was leading the fight. His death lead people to want to honor him by celebrating his birthday as a national holiday. This sparked a yearslong journey to get MLK day recognized as a holiday. Kathlyn and her fellow foot soldiers signed petitions, wrote letters to Congress, and marched in the hopes that one day Martin Luther King Jr. Day would become by law a federal holiday. Along with the foot soldiers, Stevie Wonder, Rep. Katie Hall, and many others played a valuable role in MLK day becoming a reality.

Is It Any Good?

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This beautifully written memoir-in-verse is both a history lesson and a personal activism journey. The verses are a great avenue to tell the history of MLK day in a way that is easy to understand. The images from Kathlyn's life and the other historical documents let the history lesson come alive. They also give readers an opportunity to build a personal connection with the author and her story. There are many valuable takeaways in Ain't Gonna' Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day to encourage readers to take the lead in their own fights for change.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about activism in Ain't Gonna' Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day. Many people and foot soldiers like Kathlyn worked hard in support of MLK day becoming a holiday because it was a cause that they believed in. What's a cause that you feel is important? Why is it necessary to stand up for your beliefs?

  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a notable figure in the civil rights movement. His valuable contributions to the Black community led people to want to honor him by making his birthday a holiday. Are there people in your family or throughout history (living or passed away) that you would like to honor with a special day? What would you do to celebrate?

  • Author Kathlyn J. Kirkwood describes the people who protested and worked with her as "foot soldiers." What do you think she means by "foot soldier?" Do you think MLK Day would've become a holiday without the foot soldiers' hard work? How important is it to work together to overcome obstacles?

Book Details

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