Abe Lincoln Gets His Chance

by Frances Cavanah

The time is February 12, 1809. The place is a small log cabin in Kentucky.

Dennis looks down at the new baby. "Cousin Nancy," he says, "will Abe ever grow to be as big as me?"

"Bigger than you are now, Dennis," the baby's mother tells him.

She looks at her son. "Abe Lincoln," she whispers. "You're going to grow—and grow—and grow!"

-from the back cover

Genres: Biography, Presidents

124 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Frances Cavanah (1889-1982) was born in Indiana and attended DePauw University. She wrote many shortstories, articles and textbooks for children. She is also credited with the following books: Boyhood Adventures of Our Presidents, Pocahontas, A Little Girl of Jamestown, Abe Lincoln Got His Chance, Our Country's Freedom, Jenny Lind's America, When Americans Came to New Orleans, We Wanted to be Free, They Lived in the White House and The Truth About the Man Who Sparked the War Between the States.

Reviews

[Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was great! I love that the author puts so much detail about Abe Lincoln's life. When my mom suggested this book I started reading it and it was the best beginning to a book I had ever read. It went like this : "There was a new boy at the Lincoln cabin! By cracky! thought Dennis Hanks as he hurried up the path. He was going to like having a new boy cousin. They could go swimming together. Maybe they could play Indian. Dennis pushed open the cabin door." That is the first page of the book. I liked the beginning because it made me think, oh, how's this baby going to becoming the best president America has ever seen? The book is about Abe Lincoln in his youth. The book covers the time from when he was born to just before he goes to the White House. The book does not talk about Lincoln's death.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts with his birth and childhood, a trip to New Orleans at 19, moves onto his adult experiences ending with his being elected president.

[Rustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used to read it as a child and read it to Louisa before she got too squirmy.

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview of the early life of Abraham Lincoln in language that is child friendly and informative.

[Polad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you want to know how Abraham Lincoln gets his chance to save slavery. Abe Lincoln gets his chance, by Frances Cavanah. This book is a biography and history. For example he made the Gettysburg address. The plot is about Abe Lincoln helping in the fight against slavery. For example when he made a speech about slavery and slowed it down a little.The characters were Abe's cousins brothers and sisters. He always played with them inside or outside. When he's not, he's reading a book. I like this book because it's about history, and I like history. And I'm sure someone that likes history will like this book.

[The other John · Rating 2 out of 5]

One week before we leave China and I am reduced to reading the extra books my kids have brought from home. The English library on campus is closed; all the books we've been able to borrow from friends have been returned. We certainly don't want to buy any of the simplistic tomes we can obtain in our town here, because we have quite enough to pack. So I'm reading books like this one. I should say rereading, because I actually first read this back around when I was in grade school. (I grew up in Illinois, where one can't avoid reading about Lincoln.) I had pretty much forgotten everything about it except for the footprint incident, so I could approach it afresh. It was nice enough to read, for a kids' book. It focuses mostly on Lincoln's childhood and young adulthood. Once he gets to Springfield the book picks up the pace and starts to skim over his political career, ending when he heads to the White House. I don't know how accurate it is, but instead of the biography of a great man, it comes across more like the biography of a likable fellow who just manages to become President. But as far as waiting room material is concerned, you could do a lot worse.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as an elementary school girl. I loved it; it was inspiring to me. I think this was the first book I read that showed me a window into "pioneer" life, and I was fascinated. I came across the title today because I wanted to look up the story of Abe whitewashing the ceiling of the family's cabin in the woods. I remembered that the young Abe had held up his little brother, who had muddy feet, and had the brother "walk" his footsteps across the ceiling. I told a man who's an avid student of Abe Lincoln about this story and he'd never heard of it, so I looked it up on google and finally found the title of this book that I had liked so much in my childhood. I recommend it for the young readers in your life. :-)

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this old book at my parent's cabin and as I am compulsively reading all work Lincoln-related that I find around my house and the homes of my loved ones, I read this cute little young reader's book about Lincoln's early life. I'm setting it aside for my kids when they get older. Having had the chance to know about LIncoln's documented life before coming to this book, I appreciated how the author utilized accurate quotes and life events instead of going off into the world of speculative fiction. It is, in fact, true, that Sarah Lincoln said of her beloved stepson, as Cavanah closes the book, that Lincoln was "the best boy I ever saw."

[Leslie Callahan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've had this book since childhood, I figured it was time to read it. It's funny how kids books go into great detail about some irrelevant things but then just skims and jumps over other things that adults would think important. It was fun to read since I've forgotten some of the facts of Lincolns life before becoming president. It did make me wonder why Illinois is titled "Land of Lincoln" when he spent so little time there.
Also found it funny how opposed he was to slavery but thought nothing of joining the military during the Black Hawk War to push the Indians out of Illinois.

[D Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am almost certain that I read this book as a child (that would have been years ago as a participant in the governments Title One Program) and enjoyed it as much now as I did then!

Besides for the retelling of the simplicity of a life well lived, I also was struck by Lincoln' summary of slavery:

"You work and toil and earn bread, and I'll eat it."

Although this book does not cover his life as president, I highly recommend it - particularly to those at the elementary school years level.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this absorbing biography of Abraham Lincoln, written for middle school students. I thought it was a good use of time as an adult, too. It covers his life from birth until his election as President of the United States in 1860. The writing is easy to understand, while covering the important details and touching moments in his growth.

[Melynda Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to pull this childhood favorite our for an quick-read ode to President Lincoln for his 200th birthday this year. I remember reading this book as a kid and thinking, "I can do anything I want when I grow up." That's what I love it for. It was a fun re-read 30 years later!

[Joseph Burk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book when I was around eight or nine. I think I liked it. But that was before I was educated on who the real Lincoln was.

[Louis Picone · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book to read to my 8 year old son.