A review by panda_incognito
The Rabbi and the Reverend: Joachim Prinz, Martin Luther King Jr., and Their Fight Against Silence by Audrey Ades, Chiara Fedele
5.0
This nonfiction picture book tells the intersecting stories of Joachim Prinz and Martin Luther King Jr., showing how they both grew up to oppose injustice. Prinz grew up in Germany, opposed Hitler's rise to power, and was able to leave Germany with his family prior to World War II. When he came to America, he was alarmed to see familiar patterns of discrimination directed to Black people, and he took a role in the Civil Rights Movement.
The story also introduces MLK's childhood experiences and work towards justice, and the book works smoothly as a dual biography that culminates in the men's presence together at the March on Washington, where they both gave speeches. The book emphasizes the importance of speaking up for justice, stopping bystander behavior, and joining together with others to work towards social improvement.
I had never heard about Prinz before, or if I had, he was presented as such a footnote to history that I did not remember him. I enjoyed learning about his story, and the book is very well-written, sharing information in a brief, concise manner while highlighting important and memorable details. The vivid, atmospheric illustrations are also wonderful, capturing recognizable likenesses of historical figures and depicting historical time periods in a detailed, accurate way.
This book includes a glossary and a timeline at the end, and the timeline mentions MLK's assassination, even though the rest of the book does not. I found this book very educational and interesting, and I appreciate its positive portrayal of inter-faith justice work and the author's choice to let the story speak for itself without tacking on a preachy connection to current events at the end. This is very powerful and well-crafted, and I would highly recommend it for libraries, schools, and families.
I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story also introduces MLK's childhood experiences and work towards justice, and the book works smoothly as a dual biography that culminates in the men's presence together at the March on Washington, where they both gave speeches. The book emphasizes the importance of speaking up for justice, stopping bystander behavior, and joining together with others to work towards social improvement.
I had never heard about Prinz before, or if I had, he was presented as such a footnote to history that I did not remember him. I enjoyed learning about his story, and the book is very well-written, sharing information in a brief, concise manner while highlighting important and memorable details. The vivid, atmospheric illustrations are also wonderful, capturing recognizable likenesses of historical figures and depicting historical time periods in a detailed, accurate way.
This book includes a glossary and a timeline at the end, and the timeline mentions MLK's assassination, even though the rest of the book does not. I found this book very educational and interesting, and I appreciate its positive portrayal of inter-faith justice work and the author's choice to let the story speak for itself without tacking on a preachy connection to current events at the end. This is very powerful and well-crafted, and I would highly recommend it for libraries, schools, and families.
I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.