The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita
Lorraine Hubbard, illustrated by Oge Mora.
NON-FICTION/PICTURE BOOK Schwartz and Wade Books (Penguin Random House),
2020. $18. 9781524768287
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL – ESSENTIAL; MS, HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Mary Walker was born into slavery, and after
the Emancipation Proclamation she was busy working and raising her family. Mary outlived two husbands and her three
children, and at the age of 116 she decided she wanted to learn how to
read. She dedicated the next year to
learning everything she needed to know to read and by the time she was 117 she
could read for herself. Mary taught
others that you were never too old to learn.
An inspirational and emotional journey that will help all readers
appreciate the skill of reading. I loved
Mary and her strong spirit. I loved the
illustrations that created a poetic feel and the way Hubbard organized the story
to compare reading to freedom. There are
fantastic photos of Mary celebrating life in the front and back covers. Great read!
Reviewer, C. Peterson
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