The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard (Grade1-3)

Mary Hardway Walker was born in 1848 in Union Springs, Alabama, into slavery. After the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, she was freed at the age of 15, and went on to live to the age of 116. At the age of 114, after all of her children and her husband had died, she set her sights on a dream she'd had her entire life - to learn to read. A story of perserverence and determination, The Oldest Student is aa picture book biography diving into an inspirational woman.

Author Rita Hubbard is a writer and educator with an advanced degree in School Psychology. She has written a number of books and resources, founded the Black History Channel, and if you are curious to know more about what books she personally enjoys, you can check out her book review website, https://picturebookdepot.com/.