Lincoln Clears a Path
By Peggy Thomas
Illustrated by Stacy Innerst
Published by Calkins Creek
48 Pages
7-10 years
ISBN 9781684371532
As a boy, Abraham Lincoln helped his family break through the wilderness and struggle on a frontier farm. When Lincoln was a young man, friends made it easier for him to get a better education and become a lawyer, so as a politician he paved the way for better schools and roads. President Lincoln cleared a path to better farming, improved transportation, accessible education, and most importantly, freedom.
REVIEWS
From School Library Connections:
* Lincoln Clears a Path: Abraham Lincoln's Agricultural Legacy
Illustrated by Stacy Innerst. 2021. 48pp. $18.99. HC. Calkins Creek (Boyds Mills Press). 9781684371532. Grades 3-5
Why have another book about Abe Lincoln in your library collection? Because this one is special. While the publisher suggests this title is for readers in grades 2-5, I believe it is suited for readers up through middle school and provides an excellent backdrop for studying various policies in the U.S. government that exist today. The content takes a look at everything from the American Civil War to the opening of the West. The author notes, "while researching Lincoln, I noticed that he used the phrase 'clearing a path' several times in his writing" and the book makes a point to present the many ways that Mr. Lincoln "cleared the path" for change, reform, and rebuilding. The book begins by presenting Lincoln's childhood and proceeds to analyze the factors that influenced him to pursue a life of service. Illustrator Stacy Innerst--The Book Rescuer (Simon & Schuster 2019) and Saving Lady Liberty (Calkins Creek 2020)—uses watercolors and a color palette that makes the reader feel as though the book is a letter written for their eyes only. The exquisite presentation and format appears like a typical picture book biography for young readers, yet there is much here to be enjoyed by upper grade readers as well. It is an impeccable book to introduce the figure of Abraham Lincoln and initiate more research into his life and legacy. The resources included are up-to-date with a selected bibliography, list of websites, and list of picture included from the Library of Congress. Why have another book about Abraham Lincoln in your library collection? Because it's this one. Constance G. Pappas, Teacher-Librarian, Skyridge Middle School, Camas, Washington, Vancouver, WA
Highly Recommended
From School Library Connections:
* Lincoln Clears a Path: Abraham Lincoln's Agricultural Legacy
Illustrated by Stacy Innerst. 2021. 48pp. $18.99. HC. Calkins Creek (Boyds Mills Press). 9781684371532. Grades 3-5
Why have another book about Abe Lincoln in your library collection? Because this one is special. While the publisher suggests this title is for readers in grades 2-5, I believe it is suited for readers up through middle school and provides an excellent backdrop for studying various policies in the U.S. government that exist today. The content takes a look at everything from the American Civil War to the opening of the West. The author notes, "while researching Lincoln, I noticed that he used the phrase 'clearing a path' several times in his writing" and the book makes a point to present the many ways that Mr. Lincoln "cleared the path" for change, reform, and rebuilding. The book begins by presenting Lincoln's childhood and proceeds to analyze the factors that influenced him to pursue a life of service. Illustrator Stacy Innerst--The Book Rescuer (Simon & Schuster 2019) and Saving Lady Liberty (Calkins Creek 2020)—uses watercolors and a color palette that makes the reader feel as though the book is a letter written for their eyes only. The exquisite presentation and format appears like a typical picture book biography for young readers, yet there is much here to be enjoyed by upper grade readers as well. It is an impeccable book to introduce the figure of Abraham Lincoln and initiate more research into his life and legacy. The resources included are up-to-date with a selected bibliography, list of websites, and list of picture included from the Library of Congress. Why have another book about Abraham Lincoln in your library collection? Because it's this one. Constance G. Pappas, Teacher-Librarian, Skyridge Middle School, Camas, Washington, Vancouver, WA
Highly Recommended