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Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln [Hardcover]

Doreen Rappaport , Kadir Nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

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Book Description

November 11, 2008 8 and up 820L (What's this?)

From the time he was a young boy roaming the forests of the unsettled Midwest, Abraham Lincoln knew in his heart that slavery was deeply wrong.  A voracious reader, Lincoln spent every spare moment of his days filling his mind with knowledge, from history to literature to mathematics, preparing himself to one day lead the country he loved towards greater equality and prosperity. 

Despite the obstacles he faced as a self-educated man from the back woods, Lincoln persevered in his political career, and his compassion and honesty gradually earned him the trust of many Americans.  As  president, he guided the nation through a long and bitter civil war and penned the document that would lead to the end of slavery in the United States.

The passion for humanity that defined Lincoln’s life shines through in this momentous follow-up to Martin’s Big Words and John’s Secret Dreams.  Told in Doreen Rappaport’s accessible, absorbing prose, and brought to life in powerful illustrations by Kadir Nelson, Abe’s Honest Words is an epic portrait of a truly great American president.

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 3–6—Written in prose as elegant and spare as that of its subject, this distinguished book takes readers from Abe's backwoods boyhood in Kentucky to his first harrowing witnessing of slavery in New Orleans, on to the Illinois legislature and the presidency. Each half-page of generously spaced text appears against a white background. Rappaport's carefully chosen words are both accessible and effective: "The war dragged on./Lincoln grew sadder and sadder/as more men died." Until, "The South finally surrendered./The job of healing the nation began./But Lincoln was not there to help./An assassin's bullet ended his life." Corresponding quotes from Lincoln appear in italics, e.g., "The moment came when I felt that slavery must die that the nation might live!" Handsome, larger-than-life paintings fill the remaining page and a half of each spread with powerful images—of Abe as a strong, lanky youth with a book or oar in hand, then later as a lawyer with unkempt hair, feather pen, and midnight candles burning. Readers see the somber, resigned faces of slaves—young and old—first in chains, then picking cotton under a blazing sun, and later the proud faces of an all-black regiment of the Union Army. From Lincoln's striking countenance on the cover—scruffy dark hair tinged with gray, big ears, bright eyes, and benevolent face, lined with worry and age—to the end, this is one Lincoln book that all libraries will want to have.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* This collaboration between Rappaport and Nelson provides a sweeping arc of Lincoln’s life, jumping from his humble beginnings and his early political career through his struggles to preserve the Union and to help abolish slavery. Rappaport writes in a very free verse and on each page echoes her narrative with prescient samplings of Lincoln’s words. In the generously sized artwork, which fills three-quarters of each spread, Nelson makes the familiar face, staring out at us from various currencies, exciting again, showing deep furrows and wearied creases, and on the few occasions when Lincoln falls prey to looking like a wooden statue, it is the faces of the people surrounding him, watching him and judging him, that carry the weight of the artwork’s impact. Nelson has the uncanny ability to telegraph a full range of emotion in the faces, especially in the eyes of his subjects, and it is in these details that he displays the true immensity of his talent. Minimally, his work is compelling; at best, it’s spellbinding. The exceptional art, along with Rappaport’s and Lincoln’s words, makes this a fine celebration of a man who needs little introduction. Grades 2-4. --Ian Chipman

Product Details

  • Age Range: 8 and up
  • Hardcover: 48 pages
  • Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; First Edition edition (November 11, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1423104080
  • ISBN-13: 978-1423104087
  • Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 0.5 x 11.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #280,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Doreen Rappaport is known for her ground-breaking approach to multicultural history and stories for young readers. In her many award-winning books, she brings attention to not-yet-celebrated Americans, along with well-known figures.

A former teacher of music and reading, Doreen knows how to capture children's attention. Her dynamic formats engage even the most reluctant readers.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is an Orbis Pictus Honor Book, Coretta Scott King Honor Book, Caldecott Honor Book for Illustration, ALA Notable Book, and is on the Blue Ribbon list of the Bulletin Center for Children's Books.

We Are The Many: A Picture Book of American Indians, introduces the accomplishments of sixteen distinguished American Indians.

Her classic Escape From Slavery presents the history of the Underground Railroad through adventure stories.

The Boston Coffee Party introduces children to a neglected event in history books and shows the active roles played by women during the Revolutionary War.

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars
(13)
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Illustrations by Kadir Nelson add brilliance as well. topangamaria  |  8 reviewers made a similar statement
The book will make learning history and fun and enjoyable experience. Melissa Sack  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely stunning... December 4, 2008
Format:Hardcover
A wonderful overview of Abraham Lincoln's life. Seventeen pages of concise writing, each containing absolutely stunning illustrations, take you through Lincoln's childhood, early political years, presidency, and death. Lincoln's words are printed on every page, highlighting the important aspects of the story. This book can be used to introduce the presidency, slavery, Civil War, or civil rights. The Gettysburg Address is printed in the back, along with a list of important dates and a list of suggested further reading and internet sites.

I am a fourth and fifth grade teacher, and this book is an ideal read aloud for my Civil War Unit. I highly recommend this book - it is a wonderful story wrapped in a beautiful package.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have! May 26, 2010
By Teacher
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Children are facinated with our presidents who were assasinated, and they really enjoy reading about Abraham Lincoln, the president who was instrumental in freeing the slaves.
This book has beautiful illustrations and is written really well. Add to this Lincoln's own words, and it becomes a 'must have'. I read this book aloud to 21 first graders and you could have heard a pin drop. They hung on every word. They were allowed to ask questions when finished, and these youngsters had many questions, ranging from inacuracies they had heard- to,"What happened to the man who killed Abraham Lincoln?" Great book!!
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Abraham Lincoln at his best February 7, 2009
Format:Hardcover
There are many many books being published honoring Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. This tale told is THE BEST of the best maybe because
of how brilliantly Lincoln's own words are incorporated into the story.
VERY well done! Illustrations by Kadir Nelson add brilliance as well.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
This is a wonderful picture book. I have it in my collection. The artwork is fabulous! Highly recommend! Thank you!
Published 3 months ago by K. McCann
5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from Doreen Rappaport and Kadir Nelson!
I bought this book because I love both the illustrator and the author. Nelson's illustrations never cease to amaze me - I often think of cutting them out and them in my house!! Read more
Published 15 months ago by Sarah Akers
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great biography
Doreen Rappaport and Kadir Nelson have created another fantastic biography. Read my review at [...] and find teaching extensions to enhance the text.
Published 18 months ago by aneducationinbooks
5.0 out of 5 stars Yes.
We are in a golden age of children's book publishing. This high-quality book with rich, heavy pages, beautiful quotations, beautiful text, and stunning illustrations will blow you... Read more
Published 19 months ago by M. Heiss
5.0 out of 5 stars Moving!
Abe was an honest man. A hard working man and our country's best president. Doreen Rappaport writes about the life of Abraham Lincoln in picture book form using the often... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Lynn Ellingwood
5.0 out of 5 stars Core Values Expressed Honestly
Themes: Honesty, perseverance/goal setting
Content areas: Language: using quotations in writing, synonyms. Social Science: Civil War, abolition of slavery. Read more
Published on March 12, 2011 by VReviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully illustrated
Brilliant writing...stunning illustrations. While the book is perfect for reading ages 4-8...older children will love the style of writing, the illustrations and the "reading... Read more
Published on December 14, 2010 by Sandy Cole
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent picture book.
This is an excellent children's book. Large, graphic illustrations with Lincoln's history and quotes on every page by Lincoln.
Published on February 27, 2010 by Library Lady
5.0 out of 5 stars know this campaign song? we do now!
Our Abe Lincoln is a creative and imaginative look into the life of our 16th president. The author use one of Abe's campaign songs as a starting point for the picture book. Read more
Published on April 5, 2009 by Melissa Sack
5.0 out of 5 stars Lincoln's eloquence and compassion shine through
This is a beautifully written and beautifully illustrated book, with detailed, full-page illustrations throughout. Read more
Published on March 28, 2009 by Carol C.
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