For the child curious about courage and justice during pivotal historical moments, this book offers a compelling journey through the challenging Civil War era.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is ready to understand the human side of the Civil War and the struggle for emancipation. "If You Please, President Lincoln!" follows Moses, a formerly enslaved boy who makes a dangerous journey to a Union camp in search of his family. He dreams of not just freedom, but of learning to read and writing a letter to the President himself. This historical novel powerfully explores themes of resilience, justice, and the deep desire for freedom and education. It's an excellent choice for 8- to 12-year-olds, offering a personal, child-centered perspective on a pivotal moment in American history and inspiring conversations about courage and fairness.
Depictions of war are present (cannon fire, injuries) and past violence is referenced.
Mild PerilMild
The protagonist is a child navigating a war zone and the dangers of being a fugitive.
Sensitive Topics
The book directly addresses the brutalities of slavery, racism, and war. The approach is historical and direct, not metaphorical. It references whippings and family separation, and depicts the dangers of a war zone. The resolution is hopeful but realistic: Moses finds personal empowerment and a piece of his family, representing a significant victory even as the larger struggle for civil rights continues.
Ideal Reader
An 8- to 11-year-old who is a strong reader and is beginning to ask questions about American history, slavery, and fairness. This child is drawn to stories of brave kids who make a difference and is ready for a book with historical weight and emotional depth.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared to discuss the historical context of the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the realities of slavery. The book mentions whippings and the constant threat of recapture. While not graphically detailed, the emotional weight of these threats is significant. The book provides a great opportunity for a guided conversation about this difficult period in history. The child has just finished a school unit on the Civil War or Black History Month and is asking, "What was it really like for the kids back then?" or "Why was it so important for enslaved people to learn to read?"
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will likely focus on Moses's personal adventure: his bravery, his friendships, and his triumph in learning to read. An older reader (10-12) will better grasp the complex political and social context: the significance of the Contraband camps, the nuances of abolitionism, and how Moses’s personal quest for literacy is a form of political action.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many Civil War novels for this age range that focus on soldiers or white abolitionists, this story powerfully centers the experience and agency of a formerly enslaved child. Its specific focus on literacy as a form of liberation and power is particularly unique and empowering. Moses's determination to communicate directly with the highest level of government sets it apart from other narratives.
Read plot summary
Nine-year-old Moses escapes slavery in Mississippi and travels to the Freedmen's Colony at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, during the Civil War. He is desperately searching for his older brother, Sparrow, and their mother. In the camp, he learns to read and write, makes new friends, and faces the harsh realities of war and prejudice, even among Union supporters. His ultimate goal is to write a letter to President Lincoln to ask for true freedom, land, and education for his people. The story follows his determined effort to achieve literacy and deliver his vital message.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Moses believes that learning to read and write is as important as being free. Why was it illegal to teach enslaved people to read, and why did Moses feel it was so powerful?
2
Moses meets many people in the camp, like Pohdoke who is a bully at first, and the Quaker teachers who help him. How do these different people help or hinder Moses's goal of finding his family?
3
At the end of the book, Moses hasn't met President Lincoln in person, but he has accomplished a lot. Do you think his journey was a success? What does 'success' mean for Moses in this story?
4
The book is called 'If You Please, President Lincoln!'. What exactly was Moses hoping to ask the President for, and why did he think a letter was the best way to do it?
