Thursday, April 23, 2020

The Oldest Student by Rita Lorraine Hubbard - ADVISABLE


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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