I am Abraham Lincoln

by Brad Meltzer, Christopher Eliopoulos (Illustrator)

Overview

We can all be heroes. That’s the inspiring message of this lively, collectible picture book biography series from New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer.
 
“Kids always search for heroes, so we might as well have a say in it,” Brad Meltzer realized, and so he envisioned this friendly, fun approach to biography – for his own kids, and for yours. Each book tells the story of one of America’s icons in an entertaining, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers, those who aren’t quite ready for the Who Was series. Each book focuses on a particular character trait that made that role model heroic. For example, Abraham Lincoln always spoke up about fairness, and thus he led the country to abolish slavery. This book follows him from childhood to the presidency, including the Civil War and his legendary Gettysburg Address.
 
This engaging series is the perfect way to bring American history to life for young children, and to inspire them to strive and dream.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780803740839
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	01/14/2014
Series:	Ordinary People Change the World Series
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	31,967
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Brad Meltzer is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of adult thrillers (including The Inner Circle and its recent sequel, The Fifth Assassin). His two nonfiction gift books, Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter were New York Times Bestsellers as well, and he has won the prestigious Eisner Award for his comic book work, Justice League of America. Brad is also the host of the History Channel TV show Brad Meltzer's Decoded.

Hometown:

Florida

Date of Birth:

1970

Place of Birth:

New York, New York

Education:

B.A., University of Michigan; J.D., Columbia University

Website:

http://www.bradmeltzer.com

Editorial Reviews

2013-11-20
Our 16th president is presented as an activist for human and civil rights. Lincoln resembles a doll with an oversized head as he strides through a first-person narrative that stretches the limits of credulity and usefulness. From childhood, Abe, bearded and sporting a stovepipe hat, loves to read, write and look out for animals. He stands up to bullies, noting that "the hardest fights don't reveal a winner--but they do reveal character." He sees slaves, and the sight haunts him. When the Civil War begins, he calls it a struggle to end slavery. Not accurate. The text further calls the Gettysburg ceremonies a "big event" designed to "reenergize" Union supporters and states that the Emancipation Proclamation "freed all those people." Not accurate. The account concludes with a homily to "speak louder then you've ever spoken before," as Lincoln holds the Proclamation in his hands. Eliopoulos' comic-style digital art uses speech bubbles for conversational asides. A double-page spread depicts Lincoln, Confederate soldiers, Union soldiers, white folk and African-American folk walking arm in arm: an anachronistic reference to civil rights–era protest marches? An unsourced quotation from Lincoln may not actually be Lincoln's words. Successful neither as biography nor sermon. (photographs, archival illustration) (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews