National Geographic Readers

April 15, 2013
Grades 1-3 Beautifully illustrated with reproductions and both contemporary and archival photos, this beginning reader biography recaps elements of Lincoln's life from childhood through his ongoing national legacy. Boxed facts and quotations from Lincoln himself are well set on the narrative pages, creating a layout that is engaging without being overwhelmingly busy. As with many nonfiction series books for the early-reader audience, the choice of vocabulary words that are defined in the appended glossary is sometimes curious, and some highly complex subjects, such as slavery, will need more discussion. Overall, though, the content and the presentation, including a brief quiz at the end, offer a readily accessible entry to the world of biography. Age-appropriate digital add-ons (prizes for quiz completion and a QR code to a video) add to this title's appeal.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)