Today's read head into the nonfiction realm and takes a look at a little-known achievement during the 1970s. A gentleman named Dick Gregory decided to run about 50 miles a day and cross the entire United States from Los Angeles to New York (I believe). His arrival was scheduled to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the US. The entire reason for this venture was to raise awareness for hunger, which it did.
So, let's see how this book presents this amazing moment.
SEVEN MILLION STEPS
The True Story of Dick Gregory's
Run for the Hungry
by Derrick Barnes
Christian Gregory
Illustrated by Frank Morrison
Amistad Books
Picture Book
40 pages
ages 4 to 8
From award-winning creators, Derrick Barnes, Frank Morrison, and Dr. Christian Gregory comes the true story of comedian and activist Dick Gregory’s remarkable Food Run of 1976.
1 man. 1,011 hours. 3,200 miles. 7 million steps.
What would you do?
In April of 1976, Dick Gregory sets off on a Herculean and grueling two-and-a-half month run. His goal: to raise awareness about the epidemic of poverty and hunger in America.
Sleeping in motels and consuming nothing but fruit juices, vitamins and water, he runs from Los Angeles to New York City. And in each city, he stops to speak the truth about injustice. About the plight of the penniless. About the hopeless.
Lyrical text, stunning art, and compelling backmatter come together to ask you—yes you—what would you do if you had a wild idea to stand up for something you believe in? Find out how far Dick Gregory’s belief in feeding the hungry took him in this unforgettable story of an incredible journey that still reverberates today.
1 man. 1,011 hours. 3,200 miles. 7 million steps.
What would you do?
In April of 1976, Dick Gregory sets off on a Herculean and grueling two-and-a-half month run. His goal: to raise awareness about the epidemic of poverty and hunger in America.
Sleeping in motels and consuming nothing but fruit juices, vitamins and water, he runs from Los Angeles to New York City. And in each city, he stops to speak the truth about injustice. About the plight of the penniless. About the hopeless.
Lyrical text, stunning art, and compelling backmatter come together to ask you—yes you—what would you do if you had a wild idea to stand up for something you believe in? Find out how far Dick Gregory’s belief in feeding the hungry took him in this unforgettable story of an incredible journey that still reverberates today.
MY TIDBITS
Instead of presenting a historical rundown of Dick Gregory's amazing run, these pages draw the reader personally in and emotionally bring across the journey.
This is a brightly and artistically illustrated book, which makes it enjoyable simply to pick up and gaze at each scene. The illustrative style not only brings across the individuals well but also lets the artist deliver various scenes and landscapes that Dick passed to hit with beauty and heart. So, this aspect alone was already enjoyable.
The book speaks directly to the reader, often asking questions to personally tie them to Dick's experience. At the same time, the reason behind Dick's undertaking as well as a couple highlights are sprinkled in along the way to give it historical meaning and not let the events pass by unnoticed. But this read is all about the emotional connection, which not only does a nice job at making the hunger issue clear in the beginning but also illustrates the difficulty of the journey as well as the lovely sense of community Dick met along the way.
Especially classrooms, homeschoolers, or anyone interested in themes surrounding hunger, Dick Gregory, or changing the world in different ways will find this book especially useful. I see this as a better fit for the upper end of the age group, since it does open up nicely to discussions. The end of the read offers more facts concerning Dick Gregory's run as well as more information about hunger and the like, which adds a nice touch and some more threads for discussions and research. I, personally, would have enjoyed a little more backstory on Dick Gregory (who he was before undertaking the run) and what affects the run had after he was done. But this is a nice, general flow of the run and inspires listeners/readers letting them know that there are things almost everyone can do to make a difference.
And here they are...
Derrick Barnes is the creator of the New York Times bestselling companion picture books The King of Kindergarten and The Queen of Kindergarten. His graphic novel Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice was a National Book Award finalist and won many other awards. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning picture book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, which received a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award, and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers. Derrick currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his enchanting wife, Dr. Tinka Barnes, and their four sons, the Mighty Barnes Brothers. You can visit him online at derrickdbarnes.com.
Growing up in New Jersey, Frank Morrison began developing his own style through "R.I.P" art scenes that brought him considerable street recognition and local acclaim. But it wasn’t until he visited the Louvre Museum in Paris with his dancing group that he realized painting was his true creative path. His talent and hard work paid off with over twenty illustrated children’s books, including the Coretta Scott King—John Steptoe Award winner Jazzy Miz Mozetta and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor book Little Melba and Her Big Trombone. Frank lives in Georgia with his family.
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