An African-American family awakens before dawn to prepare for the historic March on Washington in August, 1963.

In this stirring companion to Underground (2011), Evans captures a pivotal event in the struggle for equality and civil rights in America. The family joins neighbors to pray at their church, paint signs and travel by bus to Washington. They walk and sing and grow tired but “are filled with hope” as they stand together at the Washington Monument to listen to Dr. King speak of dreams and freedom. With just one line per page, Evans’ text is spare but forceful. The March has become synonymous with Dr. King’s grandiloquent speech, but Evans reminds readers that ordinary folk were his determined and courageous audience. The full-page paintings depict a rainbow of people holding hands and striding purposefully. One illustration in particular, of the father holding his son high on his shoulders, echoes a painting in Underground, in which a father holds his newborn child high up toward the sky. The strong vertical lines used for the arms of the marchers mirror the intensity of the day.

Share with readers of all ages as a beautiful message about peaceful protest and purposeful action. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)

-Kirkus Review

The author conveys the significance of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom using simplistic sentence patterns that are both easily understood by younger students and thought-provoking for older readers. Author’s Note.

A picture book with very few words, but so much meaning. This is a great inspirational book about The March on Washington in 1963 for freedom. I would recommend this book to any history or social studies teacher in general. Although the reading level is not high at all, the message is important for anyone and everyone to hear, so this would be appropriate for any classroom. Even during MLK day week, this would be great for any subject area teacher to have! ( )

The march started at the Washington Monument and ended with a rally at the Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his amazing "I Have a Dream" speech, advocating racial harmony. On August 28, 1963, an astonishing event happened. More than 250,000 people gathered in the nation's capital to participate in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. ( )

I really loved this book. The author uses such short simple phrases but it is still a powerful message. Along with equally beautiful and powerful illustrations. This story depicts the events of the 1963 March on Washington. This is the day Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I have a dream" speech. Short and sweet but accomplishes everything it meant to. ( )