Reading Metrics
Description
The stories of civil rights leaders, including Coretta Scott King, Harvey Milk, Mohandas Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Jackie Robinson, Josh Gibson, and many more are featured through poetry and original artwork.
Quick Summary
When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders takes the big stories of pioneers like Gandhi, Mandela, and Jackie Robinson and shrinks them into vivid, rhythmic poems that kids can actually finish in one sitting. The original artwork makes each leader feel immediate, turning a quick read into a visual experience that sticks in memory. It's especially good for kids who think they don't like history each poem is short, punchy, and often ends with a thought-provoking line that invites discussion. Parents will find the tone respectful but honest, touching on both the triumph and the tragedy of civil rights without being scary. If you enjoy this mix of poetry and portraiture, you might also check out "We Are the Ship" by Kadir Nelson, another beautifully illustrated collection that celebrates African American history.