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.
On sale: January 11, 2022
Age: 6-9 years
Grade: Grades 1-4
Page count: 40 Pages
ISBN: 9780593306505
Reading level: Lexile: 850L | Fountas/Pinnell: S
Carole Boston Weatherford, a two-time NAACP Image Award winner, is the author of the Newbery Honor Book
Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom, as well as three Caldecott Honor Books, including
Freedom in Congo Square and
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. She also wrote
Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins. Born in Baltimore, she first encountered Elijah Cummings when he was president of the Monumental City Bar Association, an affiliate of the National Bar Association, for which she was publicist. Weatherford teaches at Fayetteville State University, in North Carolina.
Laura Freeman is a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honoree. Her work has been recognized with an NAACP Image Award, reached the
New York Times bestseller List, and been honored by the Society of Illustrators, the Georgia Center for the Book, and in the annuals for
Communication Arts and
American Illustration. In addition to illustrating books, Laura's art can be found on a wide range of products, from dishes and textiles to greeting cards, and her editorial images are frequently seen in the
New York Times and other periodicals. She invites you to visit her website, LFreemanArt.com, to discover more about her.
“Interspersing direct quotations throughout, Weatherford offers a thoughtful biography of Black civil rights advocate and congressman Elijah Cummings.” —
Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Beginning with remarks from Nancy Pelosi, this picture book biography combines Freeman’s expressive artwork with Weatherford’s illuminating text to focus on the highlights of Cummings’s life and career.” —
School Library Journal, starred review
“Weatherford and Freeman paint a tender picture of the leader that shows his sensitivity and concern for others, rooted in his religion, that spanned his entire life.” —
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"This biography of the iconic social justice activist and political leader is sure to inspire readers of all ages." –
The Horn Book
