Lincoln Clears a Path by Peggy Thomas and Stacy Innerst - ESSENTIAL

 Lincoln Clears a Path: Abraham Lincoln’s Agricultural Legacy by Peggy Thomas, illustrated by Stacy Innerst. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Calkins Creek (Boyds Mill), 2021. $19. 9781684371532 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: ADVISABLE 

Abraham Lincoln started out helping on his family farm – working hard to feel trees and remove stumps to clear a path for a place for the family to grow. That idea of clearing a path became an informal motto for him as he served in his state legislature, became a lawyer, and then became the President of the United States. There he used his influence and power to sign into law major pieces of legislation to clear the path for people to grow: creating the Department of Agriculture, starting the Homestead Act, opening land-grant colleges, and issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. 

A great non-fiction picture book choice for elementary through high school. Whether an introduction to Lincoln as president, or a unit starter for a government class – so many ways to use it. And I love the on-going thread of “Clearing a path”. The subtitle may be about an agricultural legacy, but his legacy is much deeper, and Thomas let’s us see the scope of his life. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS