Home › Books for Ages 9–12 › The Dream Builder's Blueprint: Dr. King's Message to Young People

The Dream Builder's Blueprint: Dr. King's Message to Young People

by Alice Faye Duncan

A poem shaped from Dr. King’s message to young people

Regular price $17.70 USD
Regular price $29.50 USD Sale price $17.70 USD
Save 40%

Hardcover New English

Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.

Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

AlbakiReads Editorial

A poem shaped from Dr. King’s message to young people

Alice Faye Duncan reworks Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1967 “Street Sweeper” speech as an erasure poem, drawing out lessons about self-worth, excellence, activism, compassion, nonviolence, and perseverance. The picture book pairs this poetic interpretation with illustrations by E. B. Lewis. An author’s note adds context about the Civil Rights movement and King’s address at Philadelphia’s Barratt Junior High School, while also explaining found poetry and the erasure-poem form. Together, the poem and note connect a specific historic speech with ideas the book presents as relevant to young readers today.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 9–12 exploring poetry and nonfiction
  • Young readers learning about Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights movement
  • Parents, librarians, and teachers seeking a picture book about Dr. King’s principles

Themes

Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachingsCivil Rights historyPoetry and found-poem formsExcellence, activism, and compassion

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Common Sense Media/Common Sense Selection for Families

This riveting found poem for kids based on Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Street Sweeper" speech is creatively interpreted in this nonfiction picture book written by acclaimed author Alice Faye Duncan, accompanied by gorgeous artwork by award-winning illustrator E. B. Lewis.

★ Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ Booklist, starred review
★ School Library Journal, starred review
★ Youth Services Book Review, starred review

In a speech delivered in 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. provided his young audience with life lessons:
  • You count.
  • Black is beautiful.
  • Achieve excellence.
  • Make a better world.
  • Believe in nonviolence.
  • Keep going!

Today, award-winning author Alice Faye Duncan reinterprets King's speech as a motivational erasure poem in The Dream Builder's Blueprint, accompanied by spirited and inspired art by Philadelphia-born illustrator E. B. Lewis. Highlighting principles of excellence, activism, and compassion that remain relevant and necessary today, this book has a universal message that's ideal for parents, librarians, and teachers looking for a book that distills Dr. King's principles to a level that kids can understand.

Included in the book is an author's note that explains found poetry forms like the erasure poem and provides background information on the Civil Rights movement and Dr. King's inspiring speech at Philadelphia's Barratt Junior High School.
Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews