Mr. Lincoln's Way

Patricia Polacco's "Mr. Lincoln's Way" tells the powerful story of an elementary school principal, Mr. Lincoln, who is admired by all except for Eugene "Mean Gene" Esterhause, a student who bullies and uses racist language. Mr. Lincoln, an African American principal, sees beyond Eugene's behavior to his potential, using Eugene's surprising knowledge of birds to connect with him. The book explores themes of bullying, prejudice, and the transformative power of empathy and understanding. It shows how a caring adult can help a child confront learned intolerance and find a path to kindness, even when faced with negative influences from home.

When Mr. Lincoln, "the coolest principal in the whole world," discovers that Eugene, the school bully, knows a lot about birds, he uses this interest to help Eugene overcome his intolerance.