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Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact including the dust cover if applicable . Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include From the library of labels. Shrink wrap dust covers or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media. Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact including the dust cover if applicable . Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include From the library of labels. Shrink wrap dust covers or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media. See less
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The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read Hardcover – Picture Book, January 7, 2020

4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 857 ratings

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Imagine learning to read at the age of 116! Discover the true story of Mary Walker, the nation's oldest student who did just that, in this picture book from a Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and a rising star author.

In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. At age 15, she was freed, and by age 20, she was married and had her first child. By age 68, she had worked numerous jobs, including cooking, cleaning, babysitting, and selling sandwiches to raise money for her church. At 114, she was the last remaining member of her family. And at 116, she learned to read. From Rita Lorraine Hubbard and rising star Oge More comes the inspirational story of Mary Walker, a woman whose long life spanned from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, and who--with perseverance and dedication--proved that you're never too old to learn.
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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Inspiring" —The Wall Street Journal 

“A lovely, inspirational picture-book biography about
beating the odds and achieving your dreams.” —Booklist, starred review

"Walker’s determination and her long, long life—she died at 121—offer
genuine inspiration.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
 
Enjoy this book with every child you know; let Mary Walker become a household name.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“An absorbing narrative
and excellent illustrations combine to create a moving story of encouragement for youngsters.” —School Library Journal, starred review

A riveting portrait of a strong-willed American icon.” —BookPage, starrred review

About the Author

Rita Lorraine Hubbard is the author of a number of nonfiction books for adults and runs the children's book review site Picture Book Depot. She is the author of Hammering for Freedom: The Story of William Lewis, which was awarded the New Voices Award by Lee & Low Books and has received three starred reviews. Ms. Hubbard lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. You can find her online at ritahubbard.com.

Oge Mora is the author/illustrator of
Thank You, Omu! which won a Caldecott Honor as well as the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award. It was also selected as a New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice Staff Pick and was chosen by both Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal as a Best Book of 2018. Visit her at ogemora.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Anne Schwartz Books; Illustrated edition (January 7, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1524768286
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1524768287
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 8 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD830L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.38 x 0.4 x 11.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 857 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
857 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book inspiring and full of life lessons. They describe the illustrations as beautiful, stunning, and triumphant. The book is described as a great read for children, age appropriate for anyone from 5 to 120. Readers praise the writing quality as well-written, with lyrical language and good comprehension.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

24 customers mention "Inspirational message"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring. They say it has life lessons and a universal theme of persevering to achieve goals. The story is full of history and life lessons children need to know. It's educational and fun reading that will inspire students to follow their dreams.

"My students loved this book. They found the story fascinating and loved learning that it was a biography...." Read more

"...What a blessing and a wonderful lesson this is to not only children, and adults but for teachers that try so hard to teach the love of books and..." Read more

"Educational and fun reading!!!" Read more

"...She finally learned to read in her 100’s! A wonderful book about hope and perseverance." Read more

20 customers mention "Illustrations"20 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the illustrations in this book. They find the story inspiring and uplifting, with a beautiful example of perseverance. Readers appreciate the biography about Mary Walker, who lived over 120 years.

"...They found the story fascinating and loved learning that it was a biography...." Read more

"...What a beautiful example of a precious lady that NEVER gave up on her dream to learn to read!..." Read more

"It’s a beautiful story of a woman that lived a 120 years. She learned to read at age 116 years old...." Read more

"...The layering of facts, beautifully illustrated two-page spreads, and the unwritten message of "the importance of literacy" are beautifully woven..." Read more

15 customers mention "Reading level"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's reading level. They say it's a great read for children, but age appropriate for anyone age 5 to 120. The book celebrates learning at any age and is educational and fun.

"...We had a great conversation about the benefits of reading, what a privilege it is to be able to learn to read, and what it means to value learning..." Read more

"...teacher of 35 years in Florida, I believe in the importance of literacy at EVERY level!..." Read more

"...I purchased this book for my 5 year old granddaughter. It’s a children’s book, but the book is age appropriate for anyone age 5 to 120.. The..." Read more

"Educational and fun reading!!!" Read more

10 customers mention "Story quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the story engaging and inspiring. They say it's a true story with life lessons that children should learn. The book is described as a triumphant story of an overcomer.

"My students loved this book. They found the story fascinating and loved learning that it was a biography...." Read more

"...Can't express the joy this true story brought to me as a 61 year old...." Read more

"...unwritten message of "the importance of literacy" are beautifully woven into an amazing story by author Rita Hubbard and illustrator Oge Mora...." Read more

"...The story is one every child should read. It is a true story full of history and life lessons our children need to know...." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find the story inspiring, beautifully told, and lyrical with good comprehension. The simple illustrations are lovely.

"...I learned I COULD read (although slowly til this day), with good comprehension! May God continue to bless Mary Walker's legacy❤️" Read more

"...book is age appropriate for anyone age 5 to 120.. The books is very well written with good illustrations." Read more

"The language in this picture book is lyrical, and the simple illustrations are lovely...." Read more

"This is an inspiring story, beautifully told and illustrated about how Mary Walker Learned to Read...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2024
    My students loved this book. They found the story fascinating and loved learning that it was a biography. We had a great conversation about the benefits of reading, what a privilege it is to be able to learn to read, and what it means to value learning in general.

    We used it as a read aloud.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2021
    I only wish I had the money to purchase this book for EVERY classroom in America! As a retired teacher of 35 years in Florida, I believe in the importance of literacy at EVERY level! What a beautiful example of a precious lady that NEVER gave up on her dream to learn to read! What a blessing and a wonderful lesson this is to not only children, and adults but for teachers that try so hard to teach the love of books and reading...obviously myself included!!! Can't express the joy this true story brought to me as a 61 year old. I spent my childhood, teaching career, as well as retirement loving the smell of a new book! I was not a good reader in elementary school but with a good teacher, Marilyn Roberts, I learned I COULD read (although slowly til this day), with good comprehension! May God continue to bless Mary Walker's legacy❤️
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2021
    It’s a beautiful story of a woman that lived a 120 years. She learned to read at age 116 years old. The woman was born a slave, married twice, had three sons, and outlived all of them. She had a strong desire to read….reading gives people freedom. I purchased this book for my 5 year old granddaughter. It’s a children’s book, but the book is age appropriate for anyone age 5 to 120.. The books is very well written with good illustrations.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
    Educational and fun reading!!!
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2024
    We take for granted our ability to read. This story tells the life long goal to learn to read, attained after 90 plus years.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2021
    THE OLDEST STUDENT: HOW MARY WALKER LEARNED TO READ is a beautiful story of one woman's determination to become literate. The layering of facts, beautifully illustrated two-page spreads, and the unwritten message of "the importance of literacy" are beautifully woven into an amazing story by author Rita Hubbard and illustrator Oge Mora. It's a must-read. Both the reader and the listener will enjoy this enlightening story.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2022
    I love finding picture books about a person you’d never meet or know about unless an author researched and wrote a book. Mary Walker lead a hard life: from slavery to free. She always want to read, but there was no time. She finally learned to read in her 100’s! A wonderful book about hope and perseverance.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2020
    This book was perfect to read as a mystery reader for my granddaughter's fourth grade classroom. I was able to video me reading the book and reveal who I was at the end of the video. The story is one every child should read. It is a true story full of history and life lessons our children need to know. The illustrations are as good as the story. I highly recommend the book.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • mary ann johnston
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful true life story
    Reviewed in Canada on November 25, 2023
    My Minister read this book for Childrens time at Church. I thought it was a wonderful story so ordered a copy for my great grandson for Christmas.
  • Eliza H
    5.0 out of 5 stars what a lovely story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2021
    Great book. Inspiring and interesting.
  • Bush Momma
    1.0 out of 5 stars Wasn't what I expected
    Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2024
    Thought it was going to tell the life of Ms. Mary Walker