Burgan, Michael. African Americans in the Thirteen Colonies.

Burgan, Michael.  African Americans in the Thirteen Colonies.     Scholastic/ Childrens Press   2013  64p   $30.00  ISBN 978-0-531-23600-0 elm/ms  series: Cornerstones of Freedom  VG-BNS

This book includes a look at the harrowing journey taken by Africans who were brought to America, at the growth of slavery prior to the American Revolution, at the hardships of daily life in the colonies and at the role of slaves in the Revolutionary War.  It is very interesting to learn about slavery during the formative years of this country, before we achieved freedom from Great Britain.  Author Michael Burgan has used his fine writing style to tell young teens about life, hardship, and the growth of slavery throughout the colonies.  The book has four well-organized chapters in which  Burgan uses anecdotal information, statistics, and facts to tell the story of the limitations placed on African Americans, even on those who were lucky enough to gain their freedom.  In the beginning, some blacks could marry whites, have children and work their own land.  By the late 1600s, however, laws limiting the rights of blacks began to appear, especially in Virginia.  Slavery grew in the northern colonies, but with the exception of Rhode Island, the populations never equaled those of the South.  Readers learn about the Great Awakening, which brought Christianity to the masses of African American slaves.  They also learn about Crispus Attucks, one of the people killed during the Boston Massacre.  Whereas many slaves fought for the British during the Revolutionary War in exchange for their freedom, other slaves fought for the colonists and were instrumental in their victory. 

A teacher of social studies who hopes to teach the early history of slavery in the states will want to use the illustrations, the timeline that begins in the 1440s, and the text to support a unit on African Americans’ role in the U.S.  The book’s many extras include a spotlight on famous African Americans of the time.  All in all, this book has a lot to offer.  Cornerstones of Freedom uses historical illustrations, maps, timelines and comprehensive text to tell the stories of many important moments in American history.  Topics include Lincoln, Obama, Gettysburg, the nuclear age and many others.     

Slavery-History                                             --Martha Squaresky

Sheinkin, Steve. Lincoln’s Grave Robbers.

Sheinkin, Steve.  Lincoln’s Grave Robbers.  Scholastic Press  2013  214p  $16.99  978-0-545-40572-0     elm/ms    Nonfiction  E-BN 

Benjamin Boyd was an expert counterfeiter.  The US government was always after him and his cohorts in crime.  Finally, after many arrests and releases, they had him behind bars.  However, his stay in prison was choking his cohorts’ counterfeit proceeds.  So, when their supplies were running dry, they hatched a plot to spring Benjamin from jail.
    

Big Jim and the Logan County Gang decided to snatch the body of Abraham Lincoln from his grave, hide it, and ransom it for $200,000 from the government.

It was up to Patrick Tyrell, secret service agent, to prevent this occurrence and capture the counterfeiters.  Capturing these men was not an easy feat, as they attempted grave robbing, eluded arrest, and caused Lincoln’s casket to be moved many times.  All in all, Agent Tyrell’s last report noted that the “busting up of the plot to steal Lincoln’s body had cost the U.S. government $393.32.”

The book is a great read for young readers, showing them that criminal activity does not really pay off. It also allows readers to see what life in the 1870’s was like.  Although it is a non-fiction book, it reads like a fiction thriller.
    

The book includes a detailed index, a glossary of phrases, and source notes. This will be useful in research.          

Abraham Lincoln, Grave robbing, Counterfeiting, Secret Service

                                                            --Linda McNeil

Freedman, Russell. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

Freedman, Russell.  Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.  Houghton Mifflin/Clarion     119p  $18.99  978-0-547-38562-4      2012  ms/hs   E-BN  History

Despite the enormously different backgrounds of the two men, the similarities between the lives of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass are striking: both rose from extreme poverty, were self-educated, and had the same hatred of that “peculiar institution” of slavery.  Douglass, a former slave who became a greatly respected orator and defender of the African-American population, and Lincoln, a poor farm boy and self-taught lawyer who rose to the position of President of the United States, forged a relationship that would serve both well during the cataclysm of the Civil War.  The book begins with Douglass waiting to see Lincoln in the White House and segues back to a description of his difficult life as a slave and his arduous journey to freedom.  The focus returns to Lincoln and discusses his hardships and struggles to advance himself in life.  The narrative moves to the political and social mores of the country and the continuing problems with slavery between the Republicans and Democrats in Congress and the country as a whole.  Douglass was intent on freeing all the slaves while Lincoln concentrated on keeping the Union intact.  Together, they would both succeed in their aims.

Freedman provides a well-balanced and descriptive treatment of the lives of two of the foremost men of their times.  Writing with clarity and thoughtfulness, he allows the readers a view of both the men and the country at the time.  This historical chronicle is enhanced by period illustrations and photographs, chapter notes, a selected bibliography, a selection from The Columbian Orator (a book they both read), a list of historic sites, and an index.

Lincoln, Abraham–Biography, Douglass, Frederick–Biography, Slavery–History                                                                --Susan Ogintz

O’Reilly, Bill. Lincoln’s Last Days.

O’Reilly, Bill.        Lincoln’s Last Days.         Henry Holt/Macmillan Children's Publishing Group         316p      $19.99  978-0-8050-9675-0  2012  ms/hs  VG-BN      Nonfiction

Based on O’Reilly’s Killing Lincoln (2011), this version is geared toward younger readers.  It compellingly portrays the last days of the Civil War through the aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination.     With copious photos, maps and reproductions of documents, O’Reilly has transformed his adult book, Killing Lincoln, into a masterpiece for younger readers.  Even adults will be enthralled by this very readable account of Lincoln’s last days and the upheaval in the country after his death.  But the story does not end there.  O’Reilly has provided an illuminating afterword, followed by supplemental information about Lincoln’s world (Washington, DC, in the 1860s, prominent people, etc.), facts about the Civil War, timelines for both Lincoln and Booth, and a tour of Lincoln “sites” today. 

The layout of the book is geared towards younger readers, with a photo or an artifact on each page, but the language is not didactic or dumbed-down.  The narrative is compelling and engaging.  Readers of all ages will not be disappointed in this story of intrigue and ultimate sadness.

American history-Civil war                                                                                                                            --Pat Naismith

 

 

Honest Abe Lincoln.

Adler, David. Honest Abe Lincoln.
Holiday House 2009 32p 15.95 978-0-8234-2057-5 elem
This biography shows us how to interest young readers in learning about Abe Lincoln by combining interesting stories about Lincoln's honesty and sense of humor with information about his life and career as a politician. David Adler did his homework to find interesting stories about Abe Lincoln. Children will undoubtedly enjoy the anecdotes that he found in sources such as "Abe Lincoln's Yarns and Stories." In addition to learning some biographical data about Lincoln, we also learn why he grew a beard, how he saved a pig from mud and how he walked miles to deliver mail to his neighbors. He garnered the title "Honest Abe" throughout his early years due to his unflinching desire to "make things right" such as in the example of how his cash register was wrong at the end of a hard day's work yet Lincoln walked 3 miles to return an overcharge. In another charming story, we learn that Lincoln used his top hat to store the mail. Upon arriving at the recipient's house, Lincoln popped off his hat and handed out the letters! Lincoln wasn't just another honest man. He was a storyteller as well, and Adler shared a stellar example in the chapter entitled, "A Talent for Hunting," in which he tells us about Jake, a local hunter who shot many birds at a time by pretending to be a turnip in the field. Adler combines stories like these with historical references to Lincoln's career showing us how to entice young readers to read nonfiction. The illustrations are lifelike and fun, especially the one with the pig wallowing in mud, yet serious and real, as in the illustration of the assassination at Ford Theater.
The book ends with a list of important dates, Adler's sources, and notes. The reading level is 2.7, but people of all ages will enjoy sharing the information in this book with others. MS

Lincoln Through the Ages.

Sandler, Martin W. Lincoln Through the Ages.
Walker & Co, 2008, 94p, 19.99, 978-0-8027-9666-4, ms/hs

Contains over one hundred images of the life of Abraham Lincoln that provides a portrait of his presidency and the events surrounding it. With this year celebrating the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, there is a plethora of newly published books to mark the occasion.
This title stands as one of the more remarkable books currently available. Using primary source photographs, Sandler presents an immensely readable photo-biography of a man who was the president during the crossroads of American history. Each two page spread focuses on a particular topic. The first several “chapters” (there is no Table of Contents) present an overview of Lincoln’s life and the introduction of photography, a new technology, as a means of recording history. Subsequent chapters follow Lincoln’s life in chronological order. The recto is either a full page primary source black and white photo or a color illustration; the companion verso page is titled from a Lincoln quote that introduces the narrative. Additional photos are included on the verso. The narrative is succinct, informative, and easily understood by students who may not have much background knowledge of this period in American history. Narratives range from the serious (”Shocking a Nation”) to the humorous (”Lincoln’s Beard”). Concluding chapters discuss the manhunt for John Wilkes Booth and Lincoln’s Legacy. The layout is compelling, with pleasing color plates and corresponding color highlighting the quotes. Back matter includes sources, information for further reading, and an index.
This handsome title is a must have for any collection. R. Zajko

In Lincoln’s hand: his original manuscripts.

Holzer, Harold, Ed. In Lincoln’s hand: his original manuscripts. Bantam see Random, 2009, 195p, 35.00, 9780553807424 all ages

A wonderful collection of Abraham Lincoln’s letters with commentaries from distinguished Americans. A book that will get you as close as you can get to the actual letters. This beautifully illustrated volume of Abraham Lincoln’s letters are a unique and educational opportunity for anyone interested Lincoln’s his writings. A copy of the actual letters, poems, essays, or his written thoughts were copied and included with a typewritten copy along side of it as well as a commentary from a distinguished American. Among those who have written comments include: Sandra Day O’Connor, John Updike, E. L. Doctorow, Toni Morrison, Walter Mosley, Mario Cuomo, and Liam Neeson. The commentaries are very insightful and relevant to Lincoln’s writing.

What the reader receives from this volume is that Abraham Lincoln was truly a wonderful writer and he wrote about anything and everything letting people in into his most inner thoughts. It seems he enjoyed writing and answering letter and we are fortunate that we have this wealth of written collection of a man who’s life was cut short.

The illustrations are very well chosen and give life to the book. For civil war fans this book will be a great addition for school, this book will give children thought about writing and the legacy left behind. This volume can be used at every step of a writing course.
A must have for all library collections. M. Diaz

Abraham Lincoln. by Karen Judson

Judson, Karen. Abraham Lincoln.
Enslow, 2008, 128p, $31.93, 978-0-7660-3170-8.

This biography of Abraham Lincoln is expertly crafted for middle school students. It includes his childhood, entry into politics, Presidency, assassination and the legacy of his life. The coverage is amazingly complete and yet written in a simple easy to read style. An example of the depth is the description of John Wilkes Booth’s plot to kill not only the President but also the Vice-president and Secretary of State. The names of the conspirators and their roles are given. The pages are attractive with colorful illustrations, and color highlighted text blocks.
Included are a chronology, chapter notes, glossary, index, and both web, and print resources for further research. The series currently includes four titles - Claire Barton, Edgar Allan Poe, and Matthew Brady besides Abraham Lincoln. JT

Judson, Lincoln, Politics, assassinations booth, Presidency, Enslow

Emancipation Proclamation: would you do what Lincoln did? by Elaine Landau

Landau, Elaine. Emancipation Proclamation: would you do what Lincoln did?
Enslow, 2008, 48p, $23.93, 978-0-7660-2899-9.

In the middle of the Civil War, Lincoln is confronted with a delicate decision. If he signs the Emancipation Proclamation, it will free the slaves and have profound significance for the Confederate states and the Union.
This book presents a situation in history in which an important person has to make a history changing decision, in this case it was Abraham Lincoln.
The book is structured so that information is presented then followed by questions that will help to develop critical thinking skills. The following chapter enlightens the readers as to the course that Lincoln chose.
This text is crisply written and fully illustrated with a low reading level accompanied by full color illustrations. The inclusion of several lists, where to obtain more information, web sites and a glossary/index make this a useful research tool.
Having taught third and fourth grades for several years, I feel that this particular format of colored pictures, multi shaped pictures, boxed questions, and primary source illustrations will appeal to readers. LM