The Lincolns by Candace Fleming

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fleming, Candace. (2008). The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary. New York, NY: Schwartz & Wade Books, A division of Random House, Inc. ISBN 9780375836183

PLOT SUMMARY

Author Candace Fleming offers an in-depth, insightful biographical look into the separate and joined lives of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln. Starting with Abraham Lincoln’s humble beginnings and the lavish, upper-class childhood of Mary Todd, Fleming intertwines the personal, family, and political lives of two fascinating historical figures.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS    
     Fleming is known for the innovative, expansive scrapbook-style presentation of biographical information that includes lively narrative filled with quotations and abundant visuals. A guiding time line, The Lincoln Years (following the Contents and author Introduction pages), outlines the chronological lives from birth to death of Abraham, Mary, and their sons. An Index at the back of the book also provides categorical guidance for the reader.
     The book is organized thematically rather than strictly chronological allowing for readers to understand the people behind the more familiar politics and battles. For example, readers become acquainted with Mary’s “very ambitious…political consultant” nature and often stubborn “hellcat” personality behind her refined, well-educated façade of a politician’s wife. Readers also recognize Abraham as “Pa” and Mary as “Ma” as well as the Lincolns’ lenient, indulgent parenting style in a time when children should be seen and not heard.

     Chapters divided with running headings, sub-headings, and text boxes in varied fonts permit readers to read-through or browse. Equally so, included primary source documents such as, historical paintings, etchings, sketches, photographs, maps, church documents, handwritten notes, political documents and cartoons attract the reader’s eye and help to illustrate and create significance to the corresponding narrative. An About the Research page, extensive source Notes, and Photograph Credits complete this award-winning book that is sure to appeal to both young and adult readers.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
2009 Orbis Pictus Honor Book

2009 Boston Globe Horn Book Award for Nonfiction
2008 School Library Journal Best Book

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL – “It’s hard to imagine a more engaging or well-told biography of the Lincolns.”

Starred review in KIRKUS – "The scrapbook technique . . . remains fresh and lively, a great way to provide a huge amount of information in a format that invites both browsing and in-depth study."

Starred review in BOOKLIST - "Fleming offers another standout biographical title, this time twining accounts of two lives—Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln—into one fascinating whole."
CONNECTIONS
*Teachers can use the book as a resource when studying Lincoln, The Civil War, and slavery.

*Discussion and Writing ideas for each chapter can be found here.

*Lincoln websites are here, here, and here.

*More books about Abraham Lincoln for young readers:

Meltzer, Milton (Ed.). Lincoln, In His Own Words. ISBN 0152454373

Gross, Ruth Belov. True Stories about Abraham Lincoln. ISBN 0590437542