Abraham Lincoln (Graphic Nonfiction Biographies)

Jeffrey, Gary

ISBN 10: 1404202374 ISBN 13: 9781404202375

Publisher: Rosen Central, 2005

Synopsis

In graphic art format, presents the life of Abraham Lincoln from childhood to his assassination.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-8-The spreads in these visually appealing books will remind many readers of the style popularized by DK. However, because of the limited space available for text, they often suffer from oversimplification and huge leaps in the time line of the person's life. The first book does not handle well the complexity of Lincoln's feelings toward slavery and African Americans. Students with a previous knowledge of the major battles and players of the Civil War will enjoy this fictionalized biography more than those with no background. Sitting Bull has an excellent diagram explaining the relationship among the many Sioux subtribes, but the glossary lacks a much-needed pronunciation key for the many Lakota words listed. Tubman suffers from poor organization; it opens with the slave ships holding Tubman's great-grandparents, moves to an elderly Tubman in 1896 upstate New York with children asking for her life story, and then returns to the slave ships of her ancestors-all in the space of two pages. Readers are zipped through her young life and early freedom work. In all three titles, the illustrations are quite colorful and appealing, and many readers will enjoy the action, but they need to be made aware that these titles are strictly for recreational reading. -Courtney Lewis, Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School, Kingston, PA
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From Publishers Weekly:

Though the angry, fist-waving figure on the cover might seem strange, this nonfiction children's book actually does a fair job of presenting Lincoln and his times. Beginning with Lincoln's hardscrabble youth, the narrative then shows him making his mark as a lawyer and politician, and gradually uniting his aversion to slavery with a passion to keep America together. It doesn't neglect Lincoln's underlying personal sadness, including his fits of terrible depression. During the Civil War, the book's focus naturally shifts from the president to the battlefield, but is guided by Lincoln's steady search for the right general to end the bloodshed. Eventually, the story views Lincoln from a distance, as lurking John Wilkes Booth draws nearer to the moment of assassination. As in most of these historical graphic stories, the words count more than the art; the writers get full credit while the artist's contribution is secondary. However, when many of the words are eloquent quotes from Lincoln and his contemporaries, that's not a grave drawback. Illustrator Lacey uses his limited space effectively, showing a wide range of emotions to present the complexities of the story and its players. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Rosen Central
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1404202374
• ISBN 13: 9781404202375
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 48
• Illustrator: Petty Kate