About This Book:
Congressman and civil rights advocate Elijah Cummings dedicated his life to public service. This comprehensive and visually stunning biography details his humble beginnings and unwavering faith as he waged an endless battle for truth, justice, and equality.
We can do better.
When Elijah Cummings was a little boy, he struggled in school. His teachers thought he talked too much and asked too many questions. They said he’d never be able to read or write well.
Despite his difficulties, Elijah never gave up. He persevered, having faith that with hard work, he’d be able to achieve his goals.
Best known as a voice for people of color and an advocate for equal opportunity, Elijah Cummings was a man of faith and dignity, a beacon of justice, and an unrelenting warrior for equality and change.
Carole Boston Weatherford and Laura Freeman marry words and images beautifully in this picture book biography of politician and civil rights champion Elijah Cummings, detailing his inspiring journey–from his humble beginnings as the son of former sharecroppers to his unwavering faith as he became a lawyer, state legislator, and leading congressman. Best known as a voice for people of color and an advocate for equal opportunity, Elijah Cummings was a man of faith and dignity, a beacon of justice, and an unrelenting warrior for equality and change.
*Review Contributed by Karen Yingling, Staff Reviewer*
Unheralded Civil Rights Leader
The pictures are vibrantly colored, and the warmth of Cummings’ family life is especially well represented. I loved the story about his parents saving to buy a home and not having money for Christmas presents, and Elijah and his siblings pooling their own meager saving to give their parents gifts for the new house. There is a complete timeline at the end of the book, and a small photograph of Cummings, which is always a nice addition, even when the illustrations are well done.
This would make an excellent read aloud for a Book a Day classroom program, and offers a look at a perhaps unknown later Civil Rights figure. Add this to a list of Black picture book biographies that also includes Harrison’s Little Leaders, Respress-Churchwell’s Follow Chester! : A College Football Team Fights Racism and Makes History, Winter’s Lillian’s Right to Vote : a Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and Miller’s The Quickest Kid in Clarksville.
