Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)

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
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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

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (November 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423104080
• ISBN-13: 978-1423104087
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 10.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #180,991 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely stunning..., December 4, 2008

By	J. Hanrahan - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars know this campaign song? we do now!, April 5, 2009

By	Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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. The words of the song are set to the folk song The Old Grey Mare. Through the song, children are taken on a journey of Honest Abe's life.

The illustrations in the book are vivid and bright. The book will make learning history and fun and enjoyable experience.

Our children ages 4 and 5 loved this book and we read/sung it many times! Facts about Abe Lincoln will be in their heads for many years to come thanks to this book!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Abraham Lincoln at his best, February 7, 2009

By	topangamaria - See all my reviews

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.