Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln (Penguin Young Readers, L4) [Paperback]

Jean Fritz (Author), Charles Robinson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Penguin Young Readers, L4

Level 4. An easy-to-read story about Abraham Lincoln and the famous words he spoke during the Gettysburg Address.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The All Aboard Reading series adds another of Fritz's ( The Double Life of Pocahantas ; Can't You Make Them Behave, King George? ) lively titles illuminating an episode in American history. Here Fritz explains that President Lincoln had two "big jobs": he had to free the slaves and he had to win the Civil War. She focuses on the year 1863 when, after 23,000 Union soldiers were killed in the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln was asked to speak at a ceremony honoring the fallen troops. Dispelling traditional lore that the President scratched out his speech on the back of an envelope during the train ride to Gettysburg, Fritz explains that it was prepared in advance, needing only a last-minute "lick." Making history tangible in a delightfully down-to-earth way, the author writes that Lincoln's address was very brief; after uttering a mere 271 words, "he was finished. It took longer to boil an egg." Featuring typeface, vocabulary and themes carefully geared to her intended audience, the text informally yet ably conveys the significance of Lincoln's eloquent speech, which is reprinted on the book's final page. Interspersed among Robinson's subdued, well-populated drawings are several period photos. Ages 7-9.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-3-A book that focuses on Lincoln and his Gettysburg Address, providing lively anecdotes about the man's work and responsibilities as president, his special relationship with his son, and about his famous remarks. The text of the speech appears at the end of the book. Fritz's narrative has a strong, fresh appeal. However, there's a lack of specificity in some of the details and a somewhat annoying quantity of sentence fragments. Several archival photographs are interspersed with Robinson's attractive, realistic watercolors. But while it is stated that the crowd is to have numbered 20,000 at Gettysburg, the illustrations give the impression of a much smaller group. A map, which shows the North and South in blue and gray respectively, doesn't include state names. Also, no sources are listed. While readers will certainly enjoy the very human portrayal of Lincoln, it is doubtful whether the larger historical issues will be made clear to them.
Leda Schubert, Vermont Department of Education, Montpelier
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Young Readers; Reissue edition (September 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0448401703
• ISBN-13: 978-0448401706
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,509 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( F ) > Fritz, Jean
  • #20 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( L ) > Lincoln, Abraham
  • #70 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Political

More About the Author

"The question I am most often asked," Jean Fritz says, "is how do I find my ideas? The answer is: I don't. Ideas find me. A character in history will suddenly step right out of the past and demand a book. Generally people don't bother to speak to me unless there's a good chance that I'll take them on." Throughout almost four decades of writing about history, Jean Fritz has taken on plenty of people, starting with George Washington in The Cabin Faced West (1958). Since then, her refreshingly informal historical biographies for children have been widely acclaimed as "unconventional," "good-humored," "witty," "irrepressible," and "extraordinary."In her role as biographer, Jean Fritz attempts to uncover the adventures and personalities behind each character she researches. "Once my character and I have reached an understanding," she explains, "then I begin the detective work--reading old books, old letters, old newspapers, and visiting the places where my subject lived. Often I turn up surprises and of course I pass these on." It is her penchant for making distant historical figures seem real that brings the characters to life and makes the biographies entertaining, informative, and filled with natural child appeal.An original and lively thinker, as well as an inspiration to children and adults, Jean Fritz is undeniably a master of her craft. She was awarded the Regina Medal by the Catholic Library Association, presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award by the American Library Association for her "substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature," and honored with the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, which was presented by the New York State Library Association for her body of work.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Book to Stimulate Interest in History, January 30, 2002

By 

Patrick W. O'Hara "taparaho" (Salt Point, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln (Penguin Young Readers, L4) (Paperback)

This is a fun book that should help your youngster develop an interest in American History. It is easy to read an has great illustratiions. You will not be disappointed with this purchase. Look for others by the same author.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book of History solves any Mystery, January 30, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln (Penguin Young Readers, L4) (Paperback)

This was a very good book. I think that it teaches you important history you needd to know.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Way to Learn History, June 18, 2000

By 

Cindy Bisbee (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln (Penguin Young Readers, L4) (Paperback)

The book, Just a few Words Mr. Lincoln, is a vantastic way to teach your young children an important part of American History. This book teaches about the Gettysburg Address in a very appealing and simply way. It will motivate your child to dig deeper and want to learn more about Amercian history and our presidents.