Abraham Lincoln

Gr. 3-5. In Their Own Words biographies focus on famous people who left a record of their own lives. Beginning with an explanation of the difference between primary and secondary sources, Sullivan seamlessly interweaves information about his subjects with excerpts from primary sources. In the case of Helen Keller, Sullivan uses her autobiographical works; for Lincoln, he draws on speeches and letters. Both Keller and Lincoln have been covered in numerous biographies for young people (Sullivan's own Picturing Lincoln was published last fall), but these volumes are still worthwhile. The short chapters, large print, simple vocabulary, straightforward narrative, and attractive illustrations, as well as the addition of the subjects' own words, make them fine choices for early-grade biographies. They fit nicely between David Adler's Picture Book Biography series books and more challenging volumes such as Russell Freedman's classic Lincoln: A Photobiography (1987). Catherine Andronik

Gr 4-6-These biographies don't quite live up to their billing. At the beginning of each volume, the author discusses the differences between primary and secondary sources and the importance of using primary sources whenever possible. These introductions and the series title imply that the books rely heavily on the actual written and spoken words of the subject. Instead, what readers will find are perhaps a few more quotes than are common in biographies for young people, but the approach is not shatteringly different. The question, however, is whether this matters. These may not be unique biographies, but they are still well written, fast moving, and highly readable, squeezed into a small format that should appeal to many students. Both books feature black-and-white photos and reproductions, a useful index, a short bibliography of primary and secondary sources, and a short list of further readings, along with places to contact for further information. Certainly much has been written about these two figures and many libraries will find their shelves already well stocked. Those needing more materials, however, will find these to be solid choices.-Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Short but comprehensive, the stories of Keller and Lincoln are told with many quotations from their own writings and black-and-white photographs. Although the Lincoln biography is not as engaging as Keller's, the narratives read smoothly and will be accessible to younger readers. A chronology and list of related organizations are appended. Bib., ind. From HORN BOOK Fall 2001, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.