Coretta's Journey

Praise

★ ”Duncan depicts Coretta’s path through both verse and prose; the many poetic forms she employs reflect the complexities of her subject’s life, and the strong prose gives a clear picture of her determined personality. Christie’s impressionistic mixed-media watercolor illustrations are stunning, beginning with the powerful cover that immediately commands attention. Exuding emotion, each image perfectly complements the intriguing text.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ ”In a sophisticated, poetic biography in picture-book form, Duncan alternates double-page spreads featuring prose or poems in a variety of forms that highlight Coretta Scott King’s accomplishments…Duncan’s reverant tone gleams thanks to an effective combination of forthright prose and eclectic poetic forms. Christie conveys the highlights of Coretta’s life story in vivid and engaging watercolor renderings.” —The Horn Book, starred review

“Duncan’s picture-book biography emphasizes the personal strengths and virtues that make CSK a civil rights icon in her own right, in addition to being MLK’s life partner. Duncan uses a variety of poetic styles, ranging from acrostics and haiku to free verse, that walk readers chronologically through key moments in CSK’s life, while the prose passages generally provide wider historical context. Christie’s mixed-media, watercolor illustrations appear on every spread, depicting cited events and individuals, conveying the emotions of those involved, and providing important setting details.” —Booklist

“Blending poetry and prose to chart the path of Coretta Scott King (1927–2006), Duncan and Christie portray a person who was formidable from her earliest years.” —Publishers Weekly

“Coretta’s Journey should be read by any young person who wants to understand Coretta Scott King’s essential contribution to her husband’s extraordinary life and enduring legacy. Her courage and dedication were evident both before and after she met Martin. She chose to be a wife and mother but was always Coretta.”—Dr. Clayborne Carson, historian and founding director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University

“Coretta’s Journey is complete with compelling prose and vivid illustrations. Alice Faye Duncan seamlessly weaves historical facts together to show that by some universal, divine source, Coretta’s marriage to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. allowed them both to actualize their life callings to advance civil and human rights.” —Daphene R. McFerren, executive director of the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis