Biography- The Lincolns

Fleming, Candace. 2008. The Lincolons: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary. New York: Schwartz and Wade Books. ISBN 9780375836183

Overview:

The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary portrays the life of President Abraham Lincoln and First Lady Mary Lincoln from birth to death. A dual look at both of their lives is offered illustrating their very different childhoods, their new life together, the presidency, Civil War, loss of children, and finally the tragic end to both of their lives. Along with some historical information, many ordinary events are presented.  Willie and Tad’s circus in the attic, Mary’s search for a dress maker, and Lincoln’s time  with “the boys,” allow readers to know the “real” Lincolns.

Critical Analysis:

Fleming uses a variety of sources, including personal writings from the Lincolns and memoirs and excerpts from family friends and relatives, to reveal a portrayal of the Abraham and Mary’s life from birth to death. The stories range from family times to major historical events that took place under Lincoln’s presidency.

The book is composed like a scrapbook and the black and white images and headlines will remind readers of a newspaper. Images of family portraits, primary documents, and historical events enhance every page. The book is organized into eight chapters and is in logical order according to Lincoln’s lifetime events and life themes. Also included are an engaging introduction, source notes, and an extensive index. Although the large composition of the book does not allow for a read aloud, the scrapbook layout invites readers to browse headings quite easily.

Reviews and Awards:

“Once again, Fleming humanizes her subjects and offers a broader perspective on their times with cleverly juxtaposed facts, anecdotes, and images.” --Booklist

“Using her signature scrapbook approach, Fleming lays out the answer in a biography that gives equal emphasis to Abraham and Mary Lincoln for an insightful portrait of their lives.”--School Library Journal

ALA Notable Books 2009
Flora Stieglitz Straus Award for Nonfiction 2009, Bank Street School of Education
IRA Teachers' Choices
NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book

Connections:

*Read more about the Lincolns in books such as:

            Abe Lincoln’s Hat by Martha Brenner

            Young Abe Lincoln: The Frontier Days, 1809-1837 by Cheryl Harness

            Lincoln in His Own Words by Milton Meltzer

*Review quotes of the day and additional information at http://www.abrahamlincolnsclassroom.org/

*Create an Abraham Lincoln puppet and share an interesting aspect of Lincoln’s life through the puppet.

*Write your own newspaper article about Abraham Lincoln.