Chatting About Books:
Recommendations for Young Readers

Listen Now | iTunes Subscription | RSS Feed

Episode 11—A Tribute to Abraham Lincoln

Book Chat

• The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary by Candace Fleming (Schwartz & Wade Books, 2008)

Candace Fleming has brilliantly pieced together photographs, letters, and drawings from the lives of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln to tell a story of two amazing and historical people. The scrapbook format will draw in children and adults alike. The Lincolns has been listed on the following book lists: Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth 2008, Horn Book Recommended Books on American Presidents, Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Books of 2008, NYPL Children's Books 2008: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, and School Library Journal's Best Books 2008.
Best for ages 9 and up


• Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale written by Deborah Hopkinson; illustrated by John Hendrix (Scwartz & Wade Books, 2008)

This fun “tall tale” recounts a portion of Abraham Lincoln’s life that few people know, that of his adventures with his childhood friend Austin Gollaher. In fact, if it hadn’t been for Austin’s quick thinking with a fishing pole (or was it a sycamore branch?) to pull young Abe out of danger, Lincoln might not have been our 16th president. Hopkinson’s delightful look at Lincoln’s childhood challenges us to remember the roles of children and young people in history. Above all, our actions matter even if “we don’t end up history books.” Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek was listed on Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth 2008.
Best for ages 4–8


• Lincoln Through the Lens: How Photography Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Life by Martin W. Sandler (Walker Books for Young Readers, 2008)

When you think of Abe Lincoln, the words log cabin, Civil War, and 16th president may come to mind, but how about media savvy? Abe Lincoln’s rise to presidency coincided with the introduction of a new technology—photography. Abe Lincoln became the most photographed man of his time and he learned how to use this new technology to his advantage. Martin Sandler takes a look at how photography impacted Lincoln’s life and presidency.
Best for ages 9 and up

Expert Chat
In a Chatting About Books first, Emily chats with all three authors (Candace Fleming, Deborah Hopkinson, and Martin Sandler) about their work on Lincoln, how they envision kids using their books, and the most fascinating aspects discovered while researching Lincoln.

About the Host

Emily Manning started teaching first grade in 1999 and is now a reading intervention teacher for third- through fifth-graders. Emily’s passion is reading; she enjoys the challenge each year of finding books that will spark the love of reading in her students. Emily’s favorite books are the ones kids ask to read over and over — the ones that are worn out from so many readings, complete with wrinkled pages and loose bindings.

These include

• Bubba the Cowboy Prince by Helen Ketteman (Scholastic, 1997)
• Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (Yearling, 2001)
• The Jazz Fly by Matthew Gollub (Tortuga, 2000)
• The Magical, Marvelous, Mystical Coat by Catherine Ann Cullen (Little, Brown, 2001)
• The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (Puffin, 2004)