Abigail Adams: Girl of Colonial Days

by Jean Brown Wagoner

Childhood of Famous Americans series

Biography of the childhood of Abigail Adams, colonial patriot and first lady of the United States

Genres: Biography, History, American History, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Childrens, Historical

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1949

About the author

Jean Brown Wagoner (1896–1996)

Reviews

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy"]

What a charming story! She was an admirable woman that I would have liked to have had the pleasure of meeting. The Christian references with her father being the town's preacher, her kindly and wise grandmother encouraging her to extend forgiveness and grace to an annoying girl...her realizing she felt better for it and the two even becoming close friends afterwards. Sweet story++.

[Heather]

Abigail Adams had an interesting life starting with the rush to baptize her because they thought she would die through becoming the second first lady and the first former first lady to later be the mother of a president. Abigail Adams: Girl of Colonial Days focuses on her childhood, telling some of the more interesting highlights. It briefly covers her later years. It’s easy and quick to read. I highly recommend this book to kids who are studying or interested in Abigail Adams.

[Heather Tully]

part of Emily’s 2022-2023 edu year. she & I alternated reading aloud. it’s a simple story- much of it fiction but you learn bits of history & see Abigail’s wit, wisdom & character.

[Emma Pooler]

I really enjoyed this book! It reads like a novel, even though it’s based on a real person! I would definitely recommend if you are a fan of Abigail Adams.

[Libby]

Reading about the childhoods and pasts of famous people has been something I have enjoyed doing for a while now. The story “Abigail Adams” by Jean Brown Wagoner was a great read. I enjoyed this book mainly because it showed history in a different perspective. It was interesting to see the many differences between childhoods today versus the childhood Abigail Adams and many other people in the story had. Although there was a lot going on with politics in her childhood, Abigail was a lot like any other little girl. Abigail would probably have to be my favorite character. She reminds me a lot of myself when I was younger. She is very spunky, spirited, curious, and humorous. She had these characteristics from the time she was just a little kid to when she grew up. On page twenty-seven, she says, “All I can do is sit at home and take smelly old medicine.” This is one of my favorite quotes from the book because it shows that Abigail wants to be out and doing things. She wants to see the world and experience it. I think that the best message I got from this story is that the people you surround yourself with and help you throughout your life shape who you are. For example, Abigail’s father always encouraged her to be curious while her Grandmother taught her how to show respect. Both of these traits, along with many others, were needed for her future and turned her into an amazing role model.

[Liza]

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It is a fictionalized book, which I’m assuming means it may be based on some facts and then things are made up to make it more interesting… not sure.

Here are some possible talking points parents may want to have with their kids:

Chapter: Gunpowder in the meeting house chapter: there is mention of ghosts towards the end of the chapter and what they sound like. (Pg53-54)

Chapter: Abigail and the Ghost(pg 62): there is mention of “…..the devil has hoofs.”
Abigail sneaks out of the house with her dog to try to protect the towns supply of gun powder (for emergencies) and gets back into her house without anyone noticing.

Chapter: Mice in the attic (pg 75): Abigail sticks her tongue out at Mrs. Trudy and calls her an old witch. She plans to stop running errands for her because she wouldn’t help house some people at her house.

[Anne]

I’m highly biased in my review of this book. When I was a child, my mom drove me to the Fort Atkinson, WI, library where they had many of the Childhood of Famous American series books. They, along with Trixie Belden mysteries, had been some of her favorites when she was young and they quickly became my favorites, too. Each was covered in an orange hardcover binding with illustrations. I remember my excitement reading about Abigail Adams, John Quincy Adams, Clara Barton and Louisa May Alcott for the first time!

I’m currently deep into an Erik Larson book about the Civil War and needed something light to read to break up that dense content, and revisiting a part of my childhood by re-reading Abigail Adams: Girl of Colonial Days was a lovely trip down memory lane! ❤️

[Michelle]

This is the first of the Childhood of Famous Americans series and I think it was a great read for kids to get to know an influential person from history when they were younger. It emphasized good character traits and I'd be curious to read some others in the series to see what else they teach. While I didn't read this to my children yet (I intended to but realized when I brought it home from the library to read to them that it would be a little above their heads at 6 and 5) I put it in this shelf to remind myself of this great series to recommend and have available for them when they're slightly older, 8+.

[Lori]

I think this was the first biography I ever read, and from my elementary school library. I was frankly a little surprised to see that a biography of a historical woman existed. All the histories I had really heard at home or at school, were about important men…usually presidents and heroes.

I was thrilled to read about another girl who loved learning, as I did, and who learned to read and write in a time when it was less common for girls to do so.

I was hooked, and think I read the rest of that section of the library before leaving elementary school. Annie Oakley was another memorable volume.

[Maya Geissinger]

Grade Level: 4th -6th Genre: Historical Fiction
These types are great in a classroom, students will love them. All the different stories about Abigail Adams and the struggles she went through. The pictures are great, especially because there is not to many. The flow of the stories are great, it is not factual sounding very much story form.

[Katie Barnhill]

Wow, what a great book! I did it as a read-aloud with my children (ages 4, 6, and 8), and it kept their attention well while also helping us all learn about this amazing historical woman! When I asked the children the review questions at the end of the book, I was amazed at how much they had retained! We are definitely going to look for more books from this author/series.

[Lady reading under the Willow]

This was a neat companion to the Martha Washington book. We liked this one as well.

Note: Superstitions and ghosts are briefly mentioned, and there was a description of one of the servants reading fortunes in tea leaves, presented as "silly, but fun."

[Rachel]

I remembered reading some of the books on this series when I was in elementary school but could remember the name of the series. Boy was I excited when I found it after some google searching. I was able to find some of the books on Hoopla. These are great for young readers who enjoy history.

[Kara Kuehl]

I enjoyed this book although I think it’s aimed for older kids maybe 9-12 year olds. I think some other Childhood of Famous Americans books would be more interesting for younger ones. Nevertheless, it was a great read!

[Hannah]

It's an all-right, simple kid's book of one of the most famous historical women figures in American history. :)

[Peyton]

This is a simple but historical telling that would be easy for kids to read.

[Leah]

The writing is not the best, but overall the stories of her childhood are delightful.

[Shilo]

A fun book to read with my 9 year old daughter. Definitely written for children and focused on her childhood, but it also summarizes her great character and contributions to the founding of our great nation!

[Annabelle]

No offense to the author but Abigail Adams was not the best book ever.

[Deanna Sutter]

Sigh...Abigail Adams continues to be my hero. When I grow up I want to be like her.

This is a great series that I continue to enjoy. Reading about a girl during the colonial days showed a different side of colonial life that I appreciated sharing with my children. Also a lot of other people of the Colonial/Revolutionary War days in the "Childhood of Famous Americans" series were from plantations in the south so learning more about the Boston north was enlightening as well.

[Erik]

R-2
This book is kind of a good book. It is a biography of Abigail Adams who was the wife of the second president John Adams. It is an ok book to read and it is fairly long and there aren't very many pictures in it. Which is a good thing because pictures distract you from reading it and you loose track. I recommend it for 10-12 year olds to read.

[Cindy Clarke]

Read with Lauren for YSS- There were some great stories and good teaching moments. My favorite was on forgiving and having self confidence. Great for girls 7-10 years old as independent read or read aloud

[Buzybee7777]

I always enjoy these stories...so much to discuss and talk about these people lives and their ambitions. I admire Abigail, her kindness, her wisdom, her fearless-ness, and determination. She is a great example as an little girl and as a first lady

[Sara]

Great bio for young children. It makes me love Nabby even more.

I loved this sentence on page 89;

"It doesn't make any difference whether you serve with a cracked bowl or a golden teapot. If you are pleasant and have nice manners you can make a party out of very simple things."

[Elaine]

This book was more believable to me in that I'm sure there are more records of Abigail's life due to her prolific writing. Her personality and upbringing certainly were emphasized throughout the book. She is someone I look forward to in the afterlife.

[Lauren]

it was a fun/funny book about the childhood of abigial adams,from when she was born to when she became the fist lady.

[Brickney Sue]

i read it in 5th grade! i have to do a book report on an autobiography or biography, and i remembered that i really liked this book so i am reading this one!

[Katherina]

good all i can say

[Sarah-Mae]

i read this book in 2nd grade and it formed one of my visions of strong capable women who i could look to as a mentor and a hero

[Braxee]

Awesome!!
Great leadership book!=)