“The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read” Inspirational Biography

Author: Rita Lorraine Hubbard

Illustrator: Oge Mora

Genre: Biography/Picture Book

Recommended Ages: 5 and Up

Summary:

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read tells the extraordinary true story of Mary Walker, a woman whose life spanned nearly 122 years and who proved that it’s never too late to learn.

Mary Walker was born into slavery in 1848, in a time when it was illegal for enslaved people to learn to read or write. As a child, she dreamed of going to school, but her days were spent working from sunrise to sunset. When freedom came, Mary was still only 15 years old. She had nothing—no money, no education—but she carried one precious item: a Bible given to her by a kind stranger. Though she couldn’t read the words inside, she held onto that Bible all her life as a symbol of faith and hope.

Mary worked hard to support herself and her family through the many challenges of the late 1800s and early 1900s. She became a wife, mother, and widow; she outlived all three of her sons; and she continued to work for others as a cook and housekeeper well into her 90s. Even as the decades passed, she carried her Bible with her — a reminder of the dream she had never stopped holding: to read it for herself one day.

At age 114, Mary moved into a retirement home in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was there that she finally had the time—and the encouragement—to attend reading classes. Supported by teachers and volunteers, Mary learned the alphabet, practiced writing her name, and slowly began to read sentences. Her persistence and joyful attitude inspired everyone around her.

When Mary Walker learned to read at 116 years old, she became famous across the country. The mayor declared “Mary Walker Day”, and she was celebrated as a national example of lifelong learning, perseverance, and hope. She proudly said that being able to read was one of the greatest joys of her long life.

My Thoughts:

The Oldest Student is one of the most inspiring picture books I have ever read. Rita Lorraine Hubbard tells Mary Walker’s story with such grace and compassion that it feels both deeply personal and profoundly universal. The idea that Mary waited more than a century to achieve her dream of learning to read is both heartbreaking and uplifting — a true testament to human perseverance and hope.

What moves me most about this story is its timeless message: you are never too old, and it is never too late, to learn something new. Mary Walker’s determination reminds readers that education is not just about classrooms or grades — it is about dignity, empowerment, and believing in yourself even when the world tells you it’s impossible.

Oge Mora’s beautiful collage illustrations make Mary’s journey come alive with warmth and color. Each page radiates strength and joy, showing the passage of time in ways that young readers can understand and older readers can feel deeply.

Although this is a children’s picture book, it carries a message that speaks to every age group. Young children will see a story of patience and courage. Teens and adults will recognize the power of persistence and the importance of literacy. Seniors may see themselves reflected in Mary’s lifelong curiosity and determination. In classrooms, libraries, and homes, this book opens doors for conversations about resilience, history, equity, and lifelong learning.

For me, The Oldest Student is more than a biography — it’s a celebration of the human spirit. It reminds us that dreams don’t have deadlines, and that knowledge can truly set us free.

Themes:

• Perseverance and determination

• Lifelong learning and literacy

• Freedom and empowerment through education

• African American history and resilience

• Inspiration at any age

Classroom Integration for Mary Walker Learns to Read - an inspirational biography

Discussion Starters

1. What does it mean to “never give up”? How did Mary show perseverance throughout her life?

2. Why was it so hard for Mary to learn to read when she was young?

3. How did reading change Mary’s life?

4. What do you think the author wants us to learn from Mary’s story?

5. Why is education so powerful? Can learning something new make people feel free?

Encourage students to make personal connections — for example, something they once found difficult but kept practicing until they succeeded.

Language Arts Connection

• Grades 1–2:

  
  

  • Write or draw about something new you want to learn and how you will practice it.

  • Create a class “Never Give Up” wall with each student’s dream.

    
    

• Grades 3–5:

  
  

  • Write a short letter to Mary Walker telling her how her story inspires you.

  • Use sequencing words (first, next, then, finally) to retell the major events in Mary’s life.

  • Research another person who achieved a goal later in life and compare their stories.

  
  

Social Studies Connections

• Discuss the historical context of Mary’s life — slavery, emancipation, segregation, and changes in American history over her 122 years.

• Create a timeline showing important events in Mary’s life alongside U.S. history (e.g., Civil War, Civil Rights Movement).

• Explore why literacy was restricted for enslaved people and how education became a form of empowerment.

Art and Creativity

• Collage Project: Inspired by illustrator Oge Mora, have students create collage portraits using scraps of colored paper, tissue paper, and magazine clippings.

• Book Cover Redesign: Students design their own cover for The Oldest Student, including a symbol (like Mary’s Bible or a book) that represents learning.

• Quote Poster: Choose a favorite line from the story (“You are never too old to learn”) and decorate it with art and color.

Social–Emotional Learning (SEL)

• Discuss how Mary might have felt at different points in her life — hopeful, discouraged, proud — and how students can show resilience when they face challenges.

• Create a class motto inspired by Mary, such as “We keep learning, no matter our age!”

• Role-play ways to encourage others when they’re trying something new or difficult.

Extension Ideas

• Host a “Lifelong Learning Day” where students invite grandparents or community members to share something new they’ve learned recently.

• Pair this book with other inspirational biographies like Wilma Unlimited (Wilma Rudolph) or Malala’s Magic Pencil (Malala Yousafzai) for a series on perseverance.

• Connect to library programming by displaying books about learning, growth mindset, and historical changemakers.

Librarian Reflection:

The Oldest Student is a deeply moving and essential story for every collection. It beautifully captures the core values that libraries stand for — lifelong learning, access to knowledge, and perseverance in the face of barriers. Mary Walker’s life reminds us that literacy is not just about reading words on a page; it is about empowerment, independence, and self-worth.

This book provides a meaningful way to introduce students to the idea that reading is a privilege that has not always been equally accessible. It encourages empathy and historical awareness, helping children understand why libraries and educators play such vital roles in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to learn — regardless of age, background, or circumstance.

For me, sharing Mary’s story is an act of honoring all those who have fought for the right to read. It is also a reminder that the library is a space where learning never ends. Whether students are just beginning to decode their first words or adults are returning to study later in life, The Oldest Student shows that growth is always possible.

This book belongs on every display celebrating Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Literacy Week, or Intergenerational Learning. But beyond those occasions, it should be read all year long. It’s a story that sparks hope, inspires curiosity, and reinforces one of the most important messages librarians can share:

“You are never too young or too old to learn something new.”

Why this book is important to Diversity and Inclusion:

The Oldest Student is a powerful celebration of Black history, resilience, and lifelong learning. Mary Walker’s true story—learning to read at 116 years old after a lifetime shaped by enslavement, poverty, and perseverance—highlights the barriers Black Americans faced in accessing education, while honoring the strength and dignity of those who refused to give up on their dreams.

Representation like this is essential for young readers. Black children see an inspiring heroine who looks like them and who proves that wisdom, courage, and determination are timeless. All readers gain a deeper understanding of historical injustice and the importance of equitable access to literacy. The book’s mixed-media illustrations enrich Mary’s story with cultural depth and emotional truth, helping students connect history to real human experience.

Stories like Mary Walker’s expand our understanding of whose stories deserve to be told—and remind every child that learning belongs to all of us, at every age.

*The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read: inspirational biography