Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round

By Kathlyn J. Kirkwood, Steffi Walthall (Illustrator)

A young activist fights to make a hero's birthday a national holiday.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 148 ratings

128 pages

$16.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

Kathlyn's journey from childhood protests to adult activism reveals the relentless fight to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a national holiday. As she navigates the challenges of civic engagement, her story unfolds as a blueprint for young activists. This memoir-in-verse intertwines personal growth with historical events, showcasing the dedication needed to transform an idea into law. Will her efforts inspire a new generation to continue the struggle for justice?

From the publisher

This brilliant memoir-in-verse tells the moving story of how a nation learned to celebrate a hero. Through years of protests and petition, Kathlyn’s story highlights the foot soldiers who fought to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday.Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round is a deeply moving middle grade memoir about what it means to be an everyday activist and foot solider for racial justice, as Kathlyn recounts how, drawn to activism from childhood, she went from attending protests as a teenager to fighting for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday to become a national holiday as an adult. A blueprint for kids starting down their own paths to civic awareness, it shows life beyond protests and details the sustained time, passion, and energy it takes to turn an idea into a law.Deftly weaving together monumental historical events with a heartfelt coming-of-age story and in-depth information on law making, Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round is the perfect engaging example of how history can help inform the present.

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