Lincoln: A Photobiography

Freedman, Russel. Lincoln: A Photobiography. New York, N.Y. : Clarion Books, 1987.

Plot: The text follows the history of the man who became one of the country's most popular presidents...years after his assassination. Freedman notes the more famous aspects of Lincoln's life, such as his homely looks, quick wit, and humble beginnings. However, the author also notes the fact that the president suffered from personal loss and depression, partially caused by the scathing criticism he faced during his lifetime. Many people accused him of starting the Civil War, blundering through policies, and threatening the Constitution. Yet, he remained dedicated to his position, eventually signing the Emancipation Proclamation and changing the United States of America forever.

Genre: Biography, History

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles:  Lincoln Through the Lens: How Photography Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Life, Encyclopedia of American Studies

Personal Thoughts: Freedman manages to make Lincoln seem like a real person. Many biographies of the famous president seem to describe him as a near-immortal, while others seem to capture him in a series of facts and figures. The author, however, balances the faults, wit, flaws, successes, and beliefs of the man in a manner surprising and welcoming the reader to view the famous American as an actual human experiencing the highs and lows present in actual life.


The title won a Newbery Metal, Jefferson Cup Award, and Golden Kite Honor Book Award.

I highly recommend reading the title before Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter comes out this June. Yes, it is an actual movie. However, it may encourage movie-goers to actually learn something about someone often taken for granted, so I will reserve any additional comments for later.

The Trouble Begins at 8: A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West

Fleischman, Sid. The Trouble Begins at 8: A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West. New York : Greenwillow Books, 2008.

Plot: Fleischman focuses on the life of Mark Twain before the literary mastermind became well known. The son of a perpetually luckless man, Twain spend many of his formative years getting in and out of trouble. Eventually, he moved west with his brother, although neither ever received the legendary gold or silver supposedly lining the countryside. To avoid poverty, the former riverboat pilot took a variety of odd jobs, including a newspaper reporter. Eventually, his stories, written in the drawl of his native county, brought the country laughter. His fame only grew when he started public lectures. Eventually, he graduated to the novels making him world-renowned, although his fame outlasted his actual success.

Genre: History, Biography

Reading Level: Grades 4-9. Caution: some diction may be overly complex for less experienced readers.

Similar Titles: The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, Tom Sawyer

Personal Thoughts: Much of the text seemed to follow Twain's own style of writing. Instead of making the book endearing, however, the diction made the novel difficult to read. Additionally, some important aspects of Twain's life, particularly the publications and responses to Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, remain omitted. The text could gain important sympathy and significance if Fleischman noted the controversy surrounding the novels at their publication, particularly in light of the controversies surrounding them in modern times. Twain's later life also fails to find mention. As a result, the first half of Mark Twain's seventy-four year life finds ample description, while Fleischman attempts to shove the remainder in the last chapter.

The book includes a copy of The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras Country and a timeline of Samuel Clemen's life.

Crazy Horse

St. George, Judith. Crazy Horse. New York : Putnam's, 1994.

Plot: The novel reviews the life story of an enigmatic character from one of the ugliest chapters in United States history. A warrior leader during the westward expansion, the Sioux man braved the repeated attacks of the U.S. army and other tribes to protect his people and their livelihoods. However, war did not provide the only threat. Disease, famine, terrible weather, and shattered alliances cost Crazy Horse his friends, his family, and, eventually, his life. A solid attempt to relay the heroic but tragic story of a Sioux hero.

Genre: History, Biography

Reading Level: Grades 4-8. Please keep in mind, this is the story of a fighter during several wars, so caution sensitive readers.

Similar Titles: So You Want to Be President?, Sitting Bull: Dakota Boy

Personal Thoughts: The title attempts to narrate the story an indescribable person and a surreal situation. St. George takes several pages from the introduction and epilogue to explain how many accounts of Crazy Horse's life conflict with each other. However, she does not explain how they differ in the actual text. The battles find ample description, but assumed motivations and guessed emotions surround information of the actual events. Additionally, she does not site her sources especially well, causing the reader to scramble for secondary sources. To her credit, she resists the temptation to make all Sioux members flawless and all White people villainous, noting compassionate generals and jealous chieftains. Overall, the book attempts to act as a resource about a highly controversial figure during a highly controversial time. By describing the conflict in more detail and less emotion, St. George could improve readers' overall understanding of the people and situations in Crazy Horse's life.

Old West Specifics

We will continue with our discovery of the Old West next week by reviewing biographies of some influential people at the time.

 An authentic American Mosasaur cannon

Welcome to Kristen's World: 1854

Sinnott, Susan. Welcome to Kristen's World: 1854. Middleton, WI : Pleasant Co., 1999.

Plot: The book provides an in-depth review of the history, culture, technology, and events forming the world of the Kristen, a member of the American Girl series. As a daughter of Swedish immigrants, Kristen's lived in the blended cultures of the United States and the motherland. As such, the book provides images and descriptions of artifacts and stories from both cultures, as well as information on local Native American tribes.

Genre: History

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: American Girl series, Welcome to Addy's World: 1864

Personal Thoughts: A clever tie-in to a popular series, the title offers additional information about westward-bound immigrants and the world they traveled, worked, and played in. Much of the book reinforces the difficult lives facing the pioneers, but it also notes some of the more lighthearted aspects of the culture, such as holidays and parties. Information about national politics appears abnormally light, perhaps in attempt to focus on a particular people group entering the United States. Highly recommended for fans of the American Girl series. 
 

The Trail West: Exploring History Through Art

 

Galford, Ellen. The Trail West: Exploring History Through Art (Picture That). Chanhassen, MN : Two-Can Publishing, 2005.

Plot: Through the use of art, Galford encourages readers to learn more about the history of the Old West. Some images reflect popular opinions of the time, while others are desperate attempts to preserve disappearing cultures. All reflect the ideals, fears, and expectations of the participants in a unique period of United States' history.

Genre: Art, History

Reading Level: Grades 5-7

Similar Titles: Picture That series, War, Terrible War: 1855-1865 A History of US Book 6

Personal Thoughts: I felt skeptical when I began to read the book. Attempting to describe history through art seemed faulty, since art almost always romanticizes actual events. Then, I realized the art came from actual artists of the time. The images reflect how people of the time viewed their world, instead of what actually occurred. As a result, careful readers can gain a better sense of why people responded the way they did to the stories of the Old West, both good and bad. Additionally, the book focuses on some of the minor details withing the images, revealing aspects about the cultures meeting and clashing within the Western United States. The text does not provide a solid timetable or detailed descriptions of the events, but it does show the prevalent motivations and emotions present in the journey west.

Which Way to the Wild West?

Sheinkin, Steve. Which Way to the Wild West?. New York : Flash Point, 2010.

Plot: The title attempts to differentiate the romance and reality of the United States' westward expansion. Beginning with the Louisiana Purchase and the expedition of Lewis and Clark, the westward expansion launched the nation into a new era. While much of the change offered better economic and social opportunities for hard workers, minorities, and foreigners, it also signaled the end of several Native American nations, the birth of racist hostilities, and the rise of national crises. The move west created both troubles and benefits to the growing nation of the United States.

Genre: History

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Two Miserable Presidents: The Amazing, Terrible, and Totally True Story of the Civil War, The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism, and Treachery

Personal Thoughts: Sheinkin attempts to teach his readers the aspects of history missing from a classroom-based education. He manages to do so through a combination of intriguing storytelling, biographies, and quotes from the people living at the time. He introduces key characters from history without revealing too much about them at first, leading the reader to wonder about their place in the West's story. He also notes some of the more humorous aspects of national history. However, he also avoids minimizing the crueler aspects of history, particularly in regards to minorities and children. Yet, he manages to prevent his book from becoming a long rant against White settlers. Overall, the novel balances the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of the westward expansion.

Heirs and the Old West

So we leave our (un)fortunate heirs and move to books of the Old West.

Go West, young man...

Skulduggery Pleasant

 
Landy, Derek. Skulduggery Pleasant. New York : HarperCollins, 2007.

Plot: Much to the shock of all her relatives, Stephanie becomes the primary heir to her rich uncle's vast fortune, including his house. After managing to convince her mother that she is safe at the house by herself, she is visited by an dark stranger and a suit-wearing skeleton. The skeleton is the good guy. After rescuing her from the unknown thief, the skeleton, known as Skulduggery Pleasant, explains she also inherited a staff of great power from her uncle. Unfortunately, neither of them know where he hid it. They do know, however, several powers would kill for it to usher evil, magical overlords toward their goal to reshape the world.

Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Fantasy, Horror

Reading Level: Grades 4-9; however, some fight scenes are graphic and macabre, so caution sensitive readers.

Personal Thoughts: The first book in a currently five-novel series presents its plot and its characters excellently. Both Stephanie and Skulduggery exhibit popular intelligent-sarcastic personalities while showing genuine concern for their fellows. However, according to reviews the books progressively focus more on the macabre/Lovecraftian, so exercise discretion when recommending it.

A movie based on the book was scheduled, but was postponed indefinitely due to author/screenwriter conflict.

The Westing Game

Raskin, Ellen. The Westing Game. New York : Dutton, 1978.

Plot: At the invitation of an eccentric paper-factory millionaire, the residents of a nearby apartment complex become the heirs of a vast fortune...if they can discover the source of the millionaire's unexpected demise. As the heirs fight, cooperate, and search, their own plans to gain the fortune, ranging from stock trading to checking car hoods, begin to unfold. So do their faults. The race for the millions becomes the scene of bombings, thefts, domestic troubles, gambling, and discoveries. Yet, the answer to Westing's final game remains ever evasive, even after the millionaire's murderer strikes again.

Genre: Mystery

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Floors, The Dark Stairs, Secret of the Three Treasures

Personal Thoughts: The novel proves it is possible to make a wonderful story with terrible characters. Overall, it reads like a hybrid of Finding Nemo and Murder by Death. The plot reveals the faults and growth of the characters through a genuinely intriguing manner, much like the Pixar film. As in the mystery movie, several are incredibly sympathetic and relatable, until the reader actually considers what they do. For example, the bomber acts to escape an unbearable social situation. However, her actions risk her life, injure at least one more person, and destroy a significant amount of property. Additionally, the two main protagonists, while presented as likeable, become unforgivable through their own actions. The female protagonist is a manipulative, evasive, violent brat, while the male protagonist is equally manipulative, but also irresponsible. Character faults eventually lead to conflict, lack of repercussions, and growth. The bomber gets what she wants without facing charges or guilt. The brat continues to hide her fears and faults under her accomplishments. The millionaire continues to avoid actually apologizing for his manipulation, neglect, and cruelty. Lesser characters also face their problems, but, unlike the supposed sympathetic people, actually work for their growth. A secretary fights through her fears of being ignored by becoming involved with other people. Once fearful of bias, a judge learns to assist others in radical ways. Two individuals afraid of accepting responsibilities and taking risks fight through their marital and social problems to succeed financially and emotionally. Yet, such accomplishments are downplayed in light of the supposed protagonists' undeserved happy endings. The story is wonderful, but the actual characters become little other than annoying.