Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968

"Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968" brings to life a pivotal moment in American history through the eyes of a nine-year-old girl witnessing the monumental Memphis sanitation strike. As her father, a sanitation worker, joins the protests for safer working conditions and better pay following the tragic deaths of two African American colleagues, the narrative poignantly captures the spirit of resilience and hope. This pivotal event also marks Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s final heroic stand for racial justice before his assassination. With a compelling blend of poetry and prose, author Alice Faye Duncan, inspired by a teacher who experienced the strike firsthand as a child, crafts a narrative that resonates deeply with middle-school readers. This Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book not only educates but inspires reflection on the ongoing struggle for racial justice, making it a must-read for those eager to understand the roots of contemporary social issues.