Semicolon

Abe Lincoln Grows Up (Adaptation)

Reviewed by Sherry Early
This “taken from an adult biography” aspect of the book accounts for its rich vocabulary, not dumbed down at all, and its sometimes dark subject matter. Sandburg writes about all of the varied cultural facets of the frontier in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois where Abe Lincoln grew up, including drunkenness, brawling, death, disease, Indian wars, prejudice, and slavery. And he doesn’t really mince words, although the language is more poetic than graphic. Read the full review

Abe Lincoln's Other Mother: The Story of Sarah Bush Lincoln

Reviewed by Sherry Early
This Messner biography is written for upper elementary and middle school readers, perhaps high school, although today’s young adult readers might find it a bit too unsophisticated for their tastes. The book certainly idealizes Sarah Lincoln and her stepson, Abe, while characterizing Abe’s father, Thomas Lincoln, as somewhat lazy and lacking in ambition. Read the full review

Across a Dark and Wild Sea

Reviewed by Sherry Early
Don Brown’s picture book biography paints the time of Columba as a dark time without much love for learning, except among the monks and religious of Ireland, a real Dark Ages. The book goes on to tell how Columba became involved in a violent and bloody battle over possession of a copy of a book and how he left Ireland to become a missionary in the wilds of Iona, an island off the coast of Scotland. Read the full review