"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" —Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on the third January of each year and is the only federal holiday designated by Congress as a national day of service—“a day on, not a day off.”

It’s an occasion to reflect upon the many gifts bestowed upon us by this powerful speaker, this idealistic dreamer, this bold and passionate Civil Rights activist whose words have moved generations to serve their fellow man and strive toward a world where equality is not just a concept or a hope, but an inalienable right.

On August 28, 1963, Dr. King shared with a rapt audience his vision of a harmonious world of equality and peace.

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." —Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The frequently quoted passages from Dr. King’s I Have a Dream Speech are no less powerful for their common repetition; on the contrary, the very familiarity of the words infuse them with more weight, gravity, and urgency as we consider how far we’ve come—and how very far we’ve yet to go.

Still, there are glimmers of hope even in the most challenging and volatile times.

And because we are Books-A-Million, we see many of these glimmers in book form—beautiful words filling pages upon pages between covers of all shapes and sizes, all echoing the priceless lessons and boundless wisdom Dr. King gifted us.

This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we invite you to discover and share some of the many worthy books that honor Dr. King's timeless dream, document Civil Rights history and the enduring quest for social justice, and inspire positive change in the world today.

An Overview of King's Life

• The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. - Drawing from archival materials, previously unpublished writings, and interviews, King scholar Clayborne Carson delivers a captivating first-person account of a remarkable life.

Civil Rights History

• Righteous Troublemakers - Reverend Al Sharpton takes a probing look into the social justice movement in America.
• Across That Bridge - In his final published book before his passing, Congressman and Civil Rights leader John Lewis offers wisdom, recollections, and powerful principles for those seeking to challenge injustice and promote peace.

For the Next Generation

• Martin's Big Words - This biographical storybook brings Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and lessons to life for even the youngest readers.
• Change Sings - From National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman comes a lyrical picture book for children that seeks to inspire positive change.

Explore More at Booksamillion.com

Don't stop there! We have tons more for you to discover and learn—and we're excited to guide your journey. Browse our fantastic selection of books by Black authors now.

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