Finding Lincoln

Plot Summary

Louis needs to write an essay for school about young Abraham Lincoln.  But it's 1951 in Alabama, and African Americans cannot use the public library.  Mama says one day soon they'll be able to check out books, but Louis isn't going to wait!  When he makes a brave journey into the "whites-only" library, something surprising and wonderful happens - he meets a brave young librarian.  Ann Malaspina's moving story and Colin Bootman's rich paintings evoke the troubles and triumphs of days not long past. 

Includes a note on the history of racial segregation in public libraries, a brief history of Abraham Lincoln's life, and an "If You Want to Read More" listing.

Awards

2009 NAPPA Gold Winner; 2010 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People, Grades Pre K-3; 2011-2012 Show Me Readers Award Nominee List (Missouri); A 2010 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People; A 2010 Skipping Stones Honor Award Winner; Honor Book, 2010 Horace Mann Upstanders Book Awards

Reviews

"For personal reading and for the classroom, pair this with other stories about the civil rights movement and the brave kids who stood up to hatred." Booklist

"Bootman’s illustrations depict Louis’s curiosity, determination and joy as her pursues his quest for justice. Malaspina’s moving text explains the societal mores of the time and the actions of the people committed to rewriting them." Kirkus Reviews

"Soft, rich watercolor illustrations accompany the text, creating a compelling look at an important piece of history." School Library Journal

"The look of longing on Louis's face as he stands just outside the window while Whites sit at a lunch counter enjoying their strawberry milkshakes is a heart-breaker....Bootman adds visual texture to Malaspina's meaningful story." Multicultural Review

"In the vibrant red of the library's doors, however, kids can sense the hope for treasures within..."
Children's Literature

Associated Keywords
segregation; Black History; Civil Rights; library; librarian