Mr. Lincoln's Way

by Patricia Polacco, Patricia Polacco (Illustrator)

Overview

The touching story of an unforgettable school principal who truly empowers his students, from master storyteller Patricia Polacco, author of Thank You, Mr. Falker.

This Kindness Edition features discussion questions at the back of the book to help guide readers through conversations about its story and message! Perfect for classrooms and more!

Mr. Lincoln is the coolest principal ever! He knows how to do everything, from jumping rope to leading nature walks. Everyone loves him . . . except for Eugene Esterhause. "Mean Gene" hates everyone who's different. He's a bully, a bad student, and he calls people awful, racist names. But Mr. Lincoln knows that Eugene isn't really bad—he's just repeating things he's heard at home. Can the principal find a way to get through to "Mean Gene" and show him that the differences between people are what make them special?

Now with questions at the back of the book to help guide readers through discussions about the ideas featured in the story, this Kindness Edition of Mr. Lincoln's Way brings celebrated author-illustrator Patricia Polacco's work to a new audience of young readers who can be inspired by its message.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780425288313
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	02/07/2017
Series:	The Kindness Editions
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.70(h) x 0.10(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Patricia Polacco is the beloved New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of more than sixty picture books, including Chicken Sunday, Pink and Say, and Thank You, Mr. Falker. She lives in Union City, Michigan, where she enjoys speaking to the myriad of children who come to visit her and the famous meteor, the object of one of Patricia’s best-known stories. You can visit Patricia Polacco at PatriciaPolacco.com.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Mr. Lincoln's Way:

"A touching and complex story that sends a positive message to kids and creates hope for these working with kids who seem to be lost and categorized as bullies." —Children's Literature

"Visually appealing, with colorful, expressive illustrations that beautifully enhance the text . . . a sweet story about learning to respect oneself and others, and is well worth the reader's attention." —Kirkus Reviews

"This story is vintage Polacco—a multicultural neighborhood setting, a cast of believable characters (some larger than life), and a satisfying ending guaranteed to bring tears to even hard-boiled cynics . . . An excellent choice for storyhours, this should prompt some interesting discussions about bullies and their motivations." —Booklist

From the Publisher

Mr. Lincoln, the African-American school principal is considered "just plain cool" and is loved by all the students-except Eugene Esterhause. "Mean Gene" is a bully who uses racial epithets he has learned from his bigoted father. Mr. Lincoln is determined to reach Eugene and affect a change in his thinking and behavior. When he discovers that Eugene has learned a great deal about nature from his kind grandfather, he enlists Eugene's help in managing the school's new atrium. They become deeply involved with the birds, especially a pair of mallards that have nested there. Along the way, Mr. Lincoln tries to teach the troubled child about acceptance and respect of all his "little birds," both feathered and human. When the ducklings hatch, Eugene and Mr. Lincoln lead them safely to the pond where their parents await. Polacco (Betty Doll, p. 264, etc.) is a master at telling moving stories that gently teach lessons of kindness, compassion, and love. This newest work is only slightly less successful. It is certainly visually appealing, with colorful, expressive illustrations that beautifully enhance the text. Personalities and changing moods are vividly presented in Polacco's signature style. The story, however, seems a bit contrived and derivative. It's a little of Make Way for Ducklings meets To Sir with Love. In fact, endpapers that show a grown Gene Esterhause, now a teacher, indicating there might be more to the story as indeed the flap copy reveals that Polacco based her setting on a school where the ducks and atrium do exist. With that in mind, it is still a sweet story about learning to respect oneself and others, and is well worth the reader's attention. (Picture book. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews