The Faith of Elijah Cummings: The North Star of Equal Justice

Gr 2-4–Beginning with remarks from Nancy Pelosi, this picture book biography combines Freeman’s expressive artwork with Weatherford’s illuminating text to focus on the highlights of Cummings’s life and career. Each spread includes a quotation from the Congressman that supports the text and gives readers insights into his personal life and those who influenced him. The narrative and illustrations work together to communicate Cummings’s commitment to his faith, public service, and civil rights. His parents left South Carolina in the 1940s and settled in Maryland, where they raised seven children in a four-room house. Because it was too crowded to study, Cummings went to the public library after school, where the librarians would stay after work to tutor him. His grades went up, and he went on to become an attorney, congressman, and civil rights leader. This is an impressive, inspiring story of a battle well-fought and a life well-lived. The book concludes with a time line, bibliography, and quote sources.