The Dream Builder’s Blueprint: Dr. King’s Message to Young People
by Alice Faye Duncan; illus. by E. B. Lewis
Primary    Calkins/Astra  32 pp.
1/26    9781662680311    $19.99

As an opening note explains, this book’s text is drawn from one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last public speeches, which he delivered in 1967 to an auditorium of young people at Barratt Junior High School in South Philadelphia. Duncan selects phrases from his encouraging words—meant to promote the benefits of nonviolence in a national climate where racial oppression and violence were realities—to compose an erasure poem, offering the same spirit of hope in turbulent times for a contemporary audience. The uplifting poem’s text, with some words highlighted in eye-catching, boldly colored large letters, offers “things / that should be in your / life’s blueprint.” These include empowering attitudes (“Say ‘I am Black… / Beautiful… / Good.’ /BELIEVE / THAT”) and peaceful hard work (“Our slogan must not be ‘Burn, baby, burn.’ // It must be…BUILD… / ORGANIZE… / LEARN…so we can earn”). The vivid artistry of Lewis’s textured mixed-media illustrations brings in metaphors such as open doors and marching footsteps, while the shifting palette ably reflects tone. Dr. King’s words continue to be a reminder that the long-awaited dream of an anti-racist society is far from realized. Back matter includes further historical background, a bibliography, and information on writing an erasure poem.

From the January/February 2026 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.