Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day (Library)
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.
Earn by promoting books
Earn money by sharing your favorite books through our Affiliate program.
Become an affiliate
Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Kathlyn J Kirkwood is the author of Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round: the Story of an Everyday Activist and the Making of the Martin Luther King Holiday.
A retired college professor, Kathlyn focuses on writing for children and volunteering with under-priveleged 3rd and 4th grade students in the Nashville area. She has developed several innovative workshops that use trade books to help young people learn about the world beyond their immediate surroundings, and to inspire them with a love of reading.
Shayna Small is an actress, singer, and educator based in New York, where she received her BFA in Drama from the Juilliard School. She has worked across a variety of media including theater, film and tv, music and voice-over.
Steffi Walthall is an illustrator and character designer born and raised in Virginia, US. She was the artist of the family at a young age and could always be found with pencil and paper in hand. Steffi took this passion for art halfway down the east coast to Georgia, where she received her BFA in Game Development from the Savannah College of Art & Design. During her time in school, she developed a line-focused, graphic style. Working primarily in Photoshop, she focuses on crafting a diverse range of characters and unique stories. Steffi draws most of her inspiration from mythology, history, film, and science fiction. When she isn't busy creating something new, you can find her listening to D&D podcasts, reading comic books, or playing video games with her friends. She lives in Virginia.
