One King Day, One King Book is a literacy initiative organized by Global Citizen that helps students increase their understanding of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through reading and critical thinking activities.

We ask students in the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware in grades K-12 to read and discuss select books. Students then write essays reflecting on the themes and concepts emphasized within each book. Students and teachers submit completed essays to our headquarters and prizes are awarded to students whose essays that exemplify a strong understanding of the meaning of Dr. King’s life work. For this year’s One King Day, One King Book selections, please click here.

Every classroom or group that reads and enters a submission by January 31st will receive a King Day of Service certificate. To receive a classroom certificate, please include the teacher’s full name, school, and grade level and a contact number for the student’s teacher. To receive a certificate for a group, please include the name of the group and a contact number for the group leader.

We also encourage One King Day, One King Book participants to host or participate in their own King Day of Service project. For more information about registering a King Day of Service Project, please click here.