Anne Frank and Martin Luther King Jr. were born the same year a world apart. Both faced ugly prejudices and violence, which both answered with words of love and faith in humanity. This is the story of their parallel journeys to find hope in darkness and to follow their dreams. Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. And Anne Frank, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg, was released March 5, 2019 from Creston Books. It is a Notable Book for a Global Society and Northern Lights Book Award winner, available in English, in Chinese and in Braille from National Braille Press.
Martin & Anne is cited in “The Stories We Tell Our Young Children: Using Picture Books to Explore Race and Black-Jewish Relations” in this article by Meir Muller and Eliza Allen in The Journal of Jewish Education. Read it here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15244113.2024.2341422
Selected for the 2024 California Reads list by the California Teachers Association.
Join me for a free, virtual reading of Martin & Anne at the National Women’s History Museum March 20. Preregistration required; register here: https://events.womenshistory.org/events/bravegirls-martin-and-anne/
Featured at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee on Dr. King’s birthday in 2024 with a recorded co-reading by education director Dory Lerner and author Nancy Churnin. Reading followed by conversation about context and a lesson plan.
Thank you, Tina Centineo! It was my joy to read and discuss Martin & Anne with the great students of Science & Arts Academy in honor of Dr. King’s birthday. Thank you and your team for all you do to spread kindness, courage and love!
Had a fabulous visit with the students at P.S. 44, The Thomas C. Brown School in New York City. You’ll find the full story in the New York City School Librarians newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/958eb05a269d/whats-happening-in-nyc-school-libraries
Loved my virtual visit with the great students at Sagamore Hills Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia. Thank you to my dear friend, Professor Miriam Udel, for recommending me to educator Angelique Manzi!
One of the best children’s books to read for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Read Picture Book Brain’s recommendation here.
Featured on the New York City School Librarian list of recommended books for MLKDay2023
Loved giving away autographed copies of MARTIN & ANNE at the fifth Ruby Bridges Reading Festival at the National Civil Rights Museum Aug. 27, 2023! Read about it here.
An honor to be signing and giving away copies of Martin & Anne at the Ruby Bridges Reading Festival at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee
Joyful to see Ruby Bridges, illustrator Nikkolas Smith, social activists Joan Trumpauer Holland, Loki Holland and Reverend Dr. Mike Waters at the Ruby Bridges Reading Festival at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee
On the 2021-2022 Louisiana Young Readers Choice award list. See the full list here.
On the NYC Department of Education School Libraries #CivicsForAll list, with 300 copies in NYC school libraries
A 2021 Hamilton Cast Read Aloud, read by Daniel Yearwood — John Laurens and Philip Hamilton on Broadway — with a discussion with Master Teacher Keisha Rembert and educational resources from The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in New York City.
Talking with Stephanie Hohl about Martin & Anne as a Dual Narrative Picture Book. Read the interview here: https://www.stefaniehohl.com/new-blog/2022/5/15/dual-narrative-picture-books-with-nancy-churnin
An honor to sign Martin & Anne at the Weitzman Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, where the book is used in educational program that brings the Black and Jewish communities together.
A Martin & Anne STORYTime with Air4Arts in Texas
Martin & Anne, available in Hong Kong! Buy here.
Also available in Braille from the National Braille Press here.
Kindred Spirits: Why I wrote Martin & Anne, an article for Paths to Literacy, for Students Who are Blind or Visually Impaired here.
Proud to share about Martin & Anne on Stephanie Hohl's wonderful blog! Read my post here.
"Look at this happy boy loving his favorite book!!!... a huge hit!!!" Thank you, Jan for sharing these pictures of your sweet Jelani enjoying MARTIN & ANNE.
Reviewed by MilaBooksIt for fyi50plus here.
HONORS
2020 Notable Books for a Global Society award, Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group of the ILA
The Dodd Human Rights Impact Human Rights Institute program at UConn used Martin & Anne in its first workshop showing educators how to use Martin & Anne to teach human rights to children here.
From the Dodd Human Rights page: “Puppetry is a proven technique in education and has been used to teach a variety of topics to children of all ages in school and through media. Neda Izadi, workshop creator and facilitator says, “puppetry is a combination of visual and performing arts and students can have fun creating a character with simple materials such as cardboard, pipe cleaners, and paper bowls. Students can then bring the character to life on the stage and give them personalities with different races, religion or culture and perform the show. I sincerely believe the students would have more sympathy with the characters they make with their own hands”.
The first workshop on November 9th, will use Martin and Anne by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg. The story is based on two well-known heroes in history, Dr. Martin Luther King and Anne Frank and brings to the fore conversations of racial and religious prejudice, and the power to overcome hate through love.”
MORE HONORS
Picked for the 2020 New York City Department of Education Civics for All list
Featured in 2020 at the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights in Boise, Idaho
2020 Northern Lights Book Award winner in the Historical Category
A February 2020 pick by The Pirate Tree, a collective of children’s and young adult writers interested in children’s literature and social justice issues, for its Social Justice and Children’s Literature list
One of PJ Library’s January 2020 Jewish Books to Read in Honor of MLK Jr. Day. On the PJ Library page:
Martin & Anne by Nancy Churnin Recommended for ages 8-14
Anne Frank and Martin Luther King Jr. were born the same year a world apart. Both faced ugly prejudices and violence, which both answered with words of love and faith in humanity. This is the story of their parallel journeys to find hope in darkness and to follow their dreams.
Book of the month for eMissourian in Education in March 2019
Featured book at the Ruby Bridges Reading Festival at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn. in May 2019
Featured book at Tulisoma South Dallas Book Fair at African American Museum in Fair Park, Dallas in August 2019.
Presented it at the annual New York City public school librarians’ conference Nov. 5, following a performance of ‘Letters from Anne & Martin,’ developed and produced by the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect in NYC
Picked for the Brave Bookshelf, a list of books that build moral courage in children, by ParentMap in October 2019 here.
Picked for the Civil Rights and Race reading list by the Jewish Book Council here.
Picked for the 2020 Wisconsin State Reading Association 2020 Picture This list here.
Presented at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles Jan. 20 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Martin & Anne presentation at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles Jan. 20, 2020, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Nancy with Liebe Geft, director of the Museum of Tolerance, at the presentation of Martin & Anne Jan. 20, 2020 on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Check out The Kids Are All Write interview with Patricia Sarles, who organized the NYC conference, and Alexandra Gellner, associate director of education-performances at the Anne Frank Center, and plays Anne in the show here.
Letters from Anne & Martin, developed and produced by the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect is a two-person play drawn from Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and Anne Frank’s diary. I am honored to be sharing my book, MARTIN & ANNE, on a panel with the two actors following a performance of the play at the New York City School Librarians conference Nov. 5, 2019 at CitiField Stadium in Queens.
FEATURES
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank: Contemporaries with a Common Legacy, Religion News Service
Civil Rights and Race reading list, Jewish Book Council
Wisconsin State Reading Association Picture This list, WSRA
The Brave Booklist: Books That Build Moral Courage, ParentMap
MLK Jr. and Anne Frank More Same Than Different, Amit
The Kindred Spirits of Nancy Churnin by Gary Anderson, Nerdy Book Club
Martin & Anne, What Did They Have in Common, Chana Stiefel, About Our Children, Jewish Standard
MLK, Anne Frank Share More Than Birth Year, Texas Jewish Post
From the Sketchbook: Yevgenia Nayberg, Children’s Book Council
Friend Friday, Kirby Larson
Nancy Churnin Martin & Anne, Jewish Books for Kids by Barbara Bietz
Why I took a chance on writing Martin & Anne, Rate Your Story
Six Fabulous Picture Books to Celebrate Black History Month, by Pamela Kramer
Martin & Anne in The Whole Megillah, by Barbara Krasner
Stories that Remind Kids Your Difference May Be What the World is Waiting For, Lauri Fortino’s Frog on a Blog
Get a New Perspective! Find a New Twist!, Almost an Author, Michelle Medlock Adams
Writing and Illustrating, Kathy Temean
What Dallas Theater Center’s ‘Sweat’ taught me about ‘Martin & Anne’ and my family history
The Story Behind the Story of MARTIN & ANNE by Lynne Marie
On Here Wee Read’s 2019 Ultimate List of Diverse Children’s Books
Join the KINDRED SPIRITS project: Share how you team up with other kids and schools in other neighborhoods, cities, states or countries to celebrate all you have in common in the Kindred Spirits project here.
Proud of the kind kids at South Georgia Elementary in Amarillo who reached out to kids in El Paso and sent copies of Martin & Anne to them! Their good work in the Kindred Spirits project was covered by their local news station:
Kids from El Paso working on Martin & Anne projects that they will share with their Kindred Spirits friends at South Georgia Elementary in Amarillo.
REVIEWS
"As the teenage diarist and civil rights leader stand together, the timeless, powerful themes they heralded form the conclusion: 'Love is stronger than hate. Kindness can heal the world.'"-- Publishers Weekly, full review here
“VERDICT Highly recommended for middle grade readers and units on World War II, civil rights, and social justice.”--Suzanne Costner, Fairview Elementary School, Maryville, TN for School Library Journal
“A surprisingly successful and enlightening combination strengthened by striking artwork.” (Picture book/biography. 5-9) — Kirkus Reviews, full review here
"With foresight, the emphasis is on recognizing and resisting the threat of bigotry in all its forms and in nurturing the bonds of our common humanity."— Susan Faust, San Francisco Chronicle, full review here
"Churnin offers the young reader examples of humanity at its finest. Nayberg’s gentle, loving illustrations add to the celebration of these two enduring spirits. An important book for our and all times."— Sarah Lamstein and the The Pirate Tree Social Justice and Children's Literature. Read full review here.
"These peacekeepers’ goodwill messages burst to life in a heartfelt book with bold, sleek illustrations by artist Yevgenia Nayberg." — Emissourian, March Book Buzz Picks, full review here
“The variety of Nayberg’s images balances the simplicity of Churnin’s message, adding depth to this story of unvarying optimism which concludes, “Love is stronger than hate. Kindness can heal the world.”—Emily Schneider, Jewish Book Council, full review here
“Both of these people were raised in circumstances of despair, surrounded by prejudice and persecution. Both of them left the world with words and messages of love and hope. Though both of their stories are tragic, Churnin’s interweaving of their lives leaves us with a message of love and hope.”—David Austin, Friends Journal, full review here
“This is an important book, and even though it’s not explicitly stated, Hitler’s policy of exclusion of Jews from daily public life was based on the discrimination and Jim Crow laws that existed in the US at that time. It’s a perfect addition to any school library and a wonderful read aloud to children of all ages.”—Pamela Kramer, Six Fabulous Picture Books to Celebrate Black History Month, full review here
Mondays with Mira, Martin & Anne, video review by Mira Reisberg
“By pointing out the parallels in their lives and in their hopes in the face of hatred, I think Churnin has brought a new perspective to both of their legacies that will empower children to view their own circumstances with hope and treat others with kindness and love.”—Patricia Nozell, Wander, Ponder, Write, a Kidlit Journey, review and resources, full review here
“Nancy weaved together a stunning picture book biography that celebrates the theme that love is stronger than hate. The illustrations by Yevgenia are soft and beautiful. The back of the book has a timeline of both Martin and Anne which gives readers more information about them. This is a perfect nonfiction text to share in the classroom or at home.”—Picture Books 4 Learning, full review here
“The story and illustrations are inspirational, beautifully relaying to readers of all ages Dr. King’s and Anne Frank’s uplifting messages of hope and social justice.”—Trudy Ludwig, Making a Difference in Kids’ Lives, One Book at a Time, full review here
“The time for Martin & Anne is right now, and their parallel story can be a valuable, satisfying addition to school, library, and home bookshelves.” — Gary Anderson, Goodreads, full review here
Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg (Creston Books/Lerner Books)
PICTURE FROM THE LAUNCH PARTY! Martin & Anne, The Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank (illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg, published by Creston Books, distributed by Lerner Books) March 10, 2019 at Interabang Books in Dallas. Call Interabang for personalized copies. They’ll give me a call and I’ll drive over and autograph before you pick them or or they ship them out to you! interabangbooks.com