For the child who wonders how great leaders got their start, this chapter book traces Abraham Lincoln's humble beginnings and challenging journey to adulthood.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is questioning their own potential due to humble circumstances or is curious about how historical figures become great. "Young Abe Lincoln" is a beautifully illustrated chapter book that vividly portrays Abraham Lincoln's childhood, from his birth in a log cabin to his early adult years. It emphasizes the immense challenges he faced, including poverty and the loss of his mother, and highlights the character traits that defined him: his resilience, deep love of learning, and unwavering honesty. For children aged 8 to 12, this book demystifies a larger-than-life figure, making his story accessible and inspiring. It’s an excellent choice for showing a child that greatness is not about where you start, but about the person you choose to become through perseverance and integrity.
The book depicts the hardships of pioneer life, including poverty, family loss, and hard labor.
Racism & DiscriminationMild
Slavery is presented factually as part of the historical context which Lincoln observes and opposes.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with the death of Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln. Her death from "milk sickness" is presented factually and with appropriate sadness, focusing on the impact of the loss on young Abe. The approach is secular and historical. It also touches on the topic of slavery, which Lincoln witnesses and finds morally repugnant. The overall resolution of his early life is hopeful, portraying him as a determined young man poised for his future.
Ideal Reader
This book is perfect for an 8-11 year old who is beginning to understand that life isn't always fair, or who feels limited by their own circumstances. It's for the child who loves historical stories that feel personal and true, or one who needs a powerful example of how education and character can overcome poverty and hardship. It's also suitable for a child processing the loss of a parent, as it shows resilience in the face of grief.
Parent Prep
A parent should preview the section on the death of Lincoln's mother. While handled gently, it is a sad and pivotal moment. It would also be beneficial to be ready to discuss the historical context of pioneer life (disease, lack of schools) and the institution of slavery, which is presented as an evil that Lincoln opposes from a young age. A parent overhears their child say, "It's not fair, we don't have a big house like my friends," or "I'm not good at school because we can't afford a tutor." The child is expressing a belief that their beginnings define their potential.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will likely connect with the adventure and survival aspects: the log cabin life, the wild animals, and the physical labor. An older reader (10-12) will better appreciate the deeper themes of self-reliance, the social and political context of the time, the injustice of slavery, and the immense personal drive it took for Lincoln to achieve an education.
What Makes It Special
Among many Lincoln biographies, Cheryl Harness's stands out for its intimate, narrative focus on his formative years. The author's detailed, folk-art-style illustrations are interwoven with the text, creating a rich, almost storybook-like experience that makes history feel vibrant and personal. It excels at showing *how* Lincoln's character was forged, rather than simply listing the events of his life.
Read plot summary
This narrative biography chronicles the early life of Abraham Lincoln, from his 1809 birth in a Kentucky log cabin through his family's moves to Indiana and Illinois, and into his young adulthood. The book details the hardships of frontier life, the profound impact of his mother's death, the positive influence of his stepmother, his insatiable appetite for reading and self-education, his experiences with various jobs including a formative flatboat trip to New Orleans, and the development of his moral character and opposition to slavery.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Abe only had a few books, and he read them over and over. If you could only have three books for a whole year, what would they be and why?
2
Abe was famous for his honesty. Why do you think he felt it was important to walk miles just to return a few cents to a customer?
3
Abe's stepmother, Sarah, brought books and encouragement into his life. How did her arrival change the course of Abe's childhood?
4
The book shows Abe working many different jobs like splitting rails and running a store. How did these early experiences help prepare him for becoming president?
