Abe Lincoln Grows Up

by Carl Sandburg, James Daugherty (Illustrator)

A beautifully told story of young Abraham Lincoln’s coming-of-age

Drawn from the early chapters of Carl Sandburg’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, Abraham The Prairie Years, this is the story of Abraham Lincoln’s childhood. Growing up poor on the family farm, Abe did chores, helped his father cut down trees, and expertly skinned animals and cured hides. As a young man, he became an avid reader. When he witnessed a slave auction while on a flatboat trip down the Mississippi, he was forever changed—and so was the future of America. This is the remarkable story of Lincoln’s youth, early America, and the pioneer life that shaped one of our country’s greatest presidents.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, American History, Biography Memoir, Chapter Books, Childrens

222 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1926

About the author

Free verse poems of known American writer Carl August Sandburg celebrated American people, geography, and industry; alongside his six-volume biography Abraham Lincoln (1926-1939), his collections of poetry include Smoke and Steel (1920).

This best editor won Pulitzer Prizes. Henry Louis Mencken called Carl Sandburg "indubitably an American in every pulse-beat."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_San...

Reviews

[Susan Mortimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reprint is taken from a portion of Carl Sandburg's Pulitzer Prize winning 1926 biography of our 16th President (Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years). In the Publisher’s Note from this edition, it is said that since 1926, “…it has become increasingly evident that the book lives for people of all ages and kinds; but the later chapters on Lincoln’s political life are of necessity less interesting for boy and girl readers of today than the earlier ones about his own boyhood.” This segment of Sandburg’s work, from the first twenty-seven chapters of the original, depicts Lincoln’s life from birth until age nineteen.
Without a doubt, Sandburg continues to stand the test of time. His prose is both eloquent and evocative, and this abridgment is simple enough for the grade-school student without losing any of the charm or grace of the original. This is highly recommended for children interested in almost any aspect of post-colonial American history. For a child interested in Abraham Lincoln himself, this book is essential. (Ages 10-14)

[Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written and illustrated book. This slim volume is a reprint of the first twenty- seven chapters of Carl Sandburg's "Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years". It is a true classic, with original illustrations by James Dougherty. These early chapters were selected because it was felt that they would be most interesting to young readers, so the book is usually found in the youth non-fiction area. I throughly enjoyed it.
This is also the story of America as it "grows-up" along with Abe Lincoln. Interesting stories of barefoot Johnny Appleseed, clothed only in a coffee sack with holes cut for arm holes, and newly elected corncob smoking President Andrew Jackson, who sweeps an aristocratic administration from the White House with his rough buckskin manners and supporters.
Easy to read. Hard to put down.

[Bahman Bahman · Rating 2 out of 5]

سپس ایب لینکلن قطعه ای به قلم جفرسون خواند: "اگر در میان ما کسی هست که آرزو دارد این اتحادیه از هم بپاشد، یا شکل جمهوری آن دگرگون شود، بگذارید چنین اشخاصی همچون مظهر امنیت جامعه به شمار آیند که در برابر خطای عقایدشان باید شکیبایی نشان داد، زیرا منطق و خرد آزاد است تا پنجه در پنجه آن عقاید بیفکند. من می دانم، به راستی، که برخی اشخاص شریف از آن می هراسند که چه بسا دولت جمهوری نیرومند نباشد، که این دولت از نیروی کافی برخوردار نیست... برعکس، من یقین دارم که نیرومندترین دولت روی زمین است."

[Vicki G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did a report on Lincoln when I was in high school in the 80's. I WANTED to do Reagan (I was totally Republican then) bc I didn't want to work hard to find the information, but everyone wanted Reagan and someone beat me to him, so I did Lincoln.

[Ehsan · Rating 4 out of 5]

سلسله‌روایت‌های امیرارسلان‌نامدارطور از زندگی ابراهام لینکلن از زمان جد پدریِ هم‌نامش شروع می‌شه و تا رسیدن خودش به سن قانونی ادامه پیدا می‌کنه. نکته برجسته کتاب برای من خرده‌روایت‌های تاریخی و نشون دادن شکل و شمایل و جزئیات بظاهر بی‌اهمیت زندگی در قرن نوزدهم آمریکا بود اونم نه در جایی مثل نیویورک که اگر هم چیزی از اون دوران آمریکا به گوشمون خورده باشه بیشتر همونجاست، بلکه از دلِ - به قول کتاب - برهوت و ایالت‌های مرکزی‌تر مثل کنتاکی و ایندیانا و به سمت جنوب و می‌سی‌سی‌پی و در انتهای کتاب نیواورلئان و ایلی‌نوی. روایت کتاب گهگاهی به کل لینکلن رو ول می‌کنه و میره سراغ تعریف کردن اینکه "اون سال‌ها" قول معروف چی بود و چه داستان‌هایی ورد زبان مردم بود تا تصویری بسازه از شکل‌گیری جامعه‌ی آمریکا. از رییس جمهور شدن اندرو جکسن و تاثیری که راه پیدا کردن یه فرد معمولی به کاخ سفید روی لینکلن می‌ذاره تا ذکر بزن‌بهادرهای مستِ اطراف محل زندگی لینکلن و شرحِ تنیدگی کلیسا و قانون‌گذاری کلیسایی در زندگی اون دوره‌ی مردم تا انتهای کتاب و تصویر کردن وضعیت بازار برده‌فروشی تو نیواورلئان و لینکلنی که بوداوار با بدی‌های جهان اطرافش رو در رو شده و بار و بنه بسته تا از خانواده جدا بشه. بعد از خوندن کتاب خیلی دوست دارم فیلم آقای لینکلن جوان جان فورد ببینم و طلسم مارک تواین رو بشکنم و برم سراغ تام سایر و هاکلبری‌فین

[Mike Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Culled from the "Prairie Years" and with young readers in mind, this volume covers Lincoln up until he leaves home and heads for New Salem. Written in a folksy style that reminds one of a tale told around the fireplace, Sandburg gives fairly free rein to his imagination in evoking and to a lesser extent mythologizing Lincoln's boyhood.
The book is as much about pioneer culture as it is about Lincoln which of course is helpful in understanding young Abe's world. Sandburg alludes to but does not dwell on themes that more modern biographers have stressed, e.g., Lincoln's relationship with his father, the family's long-standing opposition to slavery.
Sandburg's depiction of Native Americans is not sympathetic and indicative of its time, i.e. heroic pioneers wresting the land from fiendish savages. He seems to think they were to blame for their own near-extinction and the seizure of their lands.

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

carl sandburg is antique enough that some of his stuff transcends corniness. but a loooot of it is still corny. still you can't stop me from reading YA biographies of abe lincoln.

one thing that fascinates this about me is insistence on singing the body of abe lincoln -- he has to be socially/economically "virile" in the sense of winning at rastling, out-chopping, while still pursuing bookish interests. works as a post facto campaign biography. weems' biographies of george washington and francis marion come up as some of yung abe's preferred reads, and there's a (lightly) ironic echo of that secular hagiography happening here. anyway good if you want to know what cows and people were dying from in 1820s indiana, and also if you are stealing texture for your own work

[Amy Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ended somewhat abruptly since it was only half of the original book by Sandberg, cut in half for children. Daugherty's illustrations were enjoyable. Much of Sandberg's writing was enjoyable and interesting, but some was weird and sentimentally modern. I enjoyed how he gave little pictures into other people of those times, such as Andrew Jackson. I knew Lincoln was poor, but not HOW poor he was. Some good quotes on the value of books. I love that Lincoln educated himself and loved books so much. 3.5 stars.

[Venessa Buxcel · Rating 3 out of 5]

You learn about a former president and what he did throughout his life. They grew up poor and it was difficult for them. He worked with his father, and tried the best he could. He became an amazing skinner. He was a young man that loved to read. it was a good story about his younger life and how the country has changed so much.

[Lavin Bendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy book to read and to understand. I personally was not overly interesting in the topic, but for those of you who like reading about history will really enjoy this book. This book does a good job of portraying the idea that anyone, even the poorest of poor, can do anything if they set their minds to it.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geared towards a younger than I am (mid teen) but still interesting.

It ends just as Lincoln’s career really starts going and being politically interesting however the book’s main purpose is to illustrate his younger life which it does very well.

Definitely give to your kids to let them see how a good man is formed.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because I knew Carl Sandburg's biography was a classic. This excerpt for middle grade children was excellent! He did such a good job of capturing the world Lincoln lived in and was happening culturally and politically at the time. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Jennifer Wrage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in Sandburg's distinct style, this was a very informative text about Abe Lincoln's childhood. I enjoyed the "stories" that were included.

[Megan]

CURRICULUM: BFB Early American History Intermediate

[Katherine Hebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poetic companion to McCullough’s The Pioneers

[hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

no words.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this - from Sandberg's beautiful writing to his masterful immersion into the life and times of young Abraham Lincoln. It left me wanting more.

[Tiffany Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this book can teach one thing, it's to read lots of books.

[David McNally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable if not a little choppy

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the writing style of Carl Sandburg. A nice over-view of the younger years of Abe Lincoln.

[Naomi Thayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much liked this book. Unlike other biography's about Abe Lincoln that tell about him being a president this one goes deeper. though out this book it foreshadows that he would become the president but even to the end never said it. This book is just plainly about Abe growing up. It starts before he is born and ends when he is an adult and leaves his family to make a life for himself. Over all this book was really good, and even though it doesn't have as many pages as books I usually read it has a lot of good information.

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s a wealth of detail about 19th century life on the American frontier, and there’s a lot of information about historical figures like Daniel Webster, Johnny Appleseed, and Andrew Jackson, but there’s very little information about Abe Lincoln. I have no idea why this book is so highly regarded.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his book "Abe Lincoln Grows Up", noted author Carl Sandburg examines the heritage, birth and early years of America's 16th President. Born to poor but industrious parents, Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, on February 12, 1809, near Hogdenville, Kentucky, Lincoln was a product of the western frontier. At seven years of age, young Abe's parents moved to the fertile lands of Indiana. There, Lincoln loses his mother to the "milk sick". Shortly after her death, young Abe's father Thomas returned to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and married the widow Sarah Bush Johnston, who became a loving and supportive mother to Abe. She brought with her three children from her prior marriage who became young Abe's step brothers and sisters.

Sandburg employes a unique style to recount the significant events of Lincoln's early life. He presents young Abe to the reader in the context of extraneous events, notable people and western lifestyle of the time to paint a portrait of the rustic life Lincoln must have known in his youth. While facts are presented, there us much postulation as to how things might have been. Sandburg seasons his narrative with western lingo, idioms, stories, songs and lyrics, neighbor gatherings, religious practices, Jacksonian politics, etc. to portray life as Lincoln likely knew it in his early years. As young Abe grew into adolescence, Sandburg describes Lincoln's stature, ruddy appearance and brute strength developed by his use of the ax and other farm implements as he cleared the land and helped his family eke out a living. His sheer height (6'4") and lanky build set him apart from his peers and gave him a formidable appearance. Sandburg often deviates in his narrative to discuss other frontier notables of the age: Daniel Boone, Johnny Appleseed, John James Audubon, Mike Fink, etc. These characters give added flavor to the age in which Lincoln was born and lived. Not only was Lincoln a man of the soil, but he also operated flatboats to carry people and cargo on the western rivers. One trip took him to New Orleans where he witnessed the auction of Negro slaves. This experience had a profound effect upon his life and values. Lincoln's early penchant for reading is extolled. The book concludes with young Lincoln leaving home in the early 1830s to seek his fortune in New Salem.

Though the book is touted for young readers, they may find it a bit difficult at times. Sandburg's style is not always sequential and straight forward, but is often scattered and disjointed and not easy to follow and assimilate. Sandburg seems to presume that the reader knows more about the times, persons, places and age than may be the case with young readers. That being said, the biography is informative, colorful and a great read.

[Kevin M · Rating 3 out of 5]

To Be Honest i really didn't like this book but I'm not gonna hate on it. The author did a great job but the book wasn't really as interesting to me as i thought it would be. Im Gonna give him 4 stars, though.

[English Education · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandburg gives us a biography of the youth of one of America’s greatest presidents: Abraham Lincoln. Since his birth in a log cabin and the migrations through Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky, he grows through in the impoverished, agrarian lifestyle that takes place in the American frontier. With his family he endures the hardships—having little-formal education, arduously settling in the wilderness, battling Native Americans, and watching strange illnesses take lives such as his mother’s—as well as the joys—enjoying a wedding feast with delicious wild game, becoming an avid-reader who is passionate for law, politics and the world (especially after watching a slave auction), and attending his two daily church services to stay reverent to his God. Abe Lincoln grows up offers a valuable story of a classic American literary theme: “success is the result of persevering in the face of obstacles.” The novel is sure to delight its intended young-adult audience with its realistic and fascinating old-fashioned context, which is populated with prominent historical figures of the time, (namely, Andrew Jackson and Napoleon Bonepart). Similarly to Mark Twain’s text Tom Sawyer, Sandburg lacks the modern collective conscious of an anti-oppressive and a pluralistic society, by its glorification of physical violence, and prejudice towards both blacks and Native Americans. A critical examination of these old-time attitudes, asking “why they felt that way?” and “what are our attitudes today?” would benefit students’ perspective on promoting a multi-cultural awareness and acceptance.

[Steve Hemmeke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lincoln has always intrigued me, and even more so since moving to the South and discovering people who still revile him.

Carl Sandburg wrote a classic biography in 1926, and this is something of a children's version of it, I gather. Sandburg's writing exquisitely captures the spirit of the nation during Lincoln's childhood years. This book covers Abe's life until he leaves his parents at 19 years of age.

Westward expansion was front and center, Lincoln's own father moving them several times from Kentucky to Indiana and Illinois. Indian hostility was intense. Johnny Appleseed and Mr Audubon make cameo appearances.

Besides this, I'll mention three formative events Sandburg highlights.
1. The death of his mother early, and arrival of his step-mother. This brought a higher standard of living and expectations on Abe. At the same time, his father looked down on "eddicatin."
2. Andrew Jackson's presidency showed him a backwoodsman could make it big.
3. Taking cargo on flatboats down the Mississippi to New Orleans showed him the wide world and the slave markets.

Sandburg subtly foreshadows Lincoln's later political life: the teenager practicing speeches, delighting in stories, and always reading and writing. Young Abe seemed to know the power of the spoken word, and he wanted to wield from a young age.

[April Suter · Rating 4 out of 5]

After our tour of Abraham Lincoln's Presidential Museum I purchased this book in their gift shop. I may have read this when I was in elementary school but I enjoyed reading it to remember the story of President Lincoln as a young boy and history of our country.

pg 128: familiar saying I grew up with: "If you ears burn somebody is gossiping about you. If your hand itches you will get a present or shake hands with a stranger; if your right foot itches you are going on a journey; if the left foot itches you are going where you are not wanted; if your nose itches away from home you are wanted at home but if your nose itches at home someone is coming to see you; if your right eye itches you will cry and if it is the left eye you will laugh."

Now I'm heading to Carl Sandburg's birthplace in Galesburg, IL to continue my education and life experiences.

222 pages

[Michael Holm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This version reads like a juvenile version and is a quick read of 222 pages. However, it is rewarding for its portrayal of early Allegeny Americana. Not surprisingly, Sandburg is intrigued by the words and idioms of the frontier as well as their songs. A short vignette of Andrew Jackson is included, suggesting his influence and inspiration for young Lincoln. It doesn't hurt that much is made of Lincoln's reading and love of books. There is the poet's sensitivity to nature, wilderness and words exhibited in his prose and narration. Its age is reflected in the use of the N word when referring to slaves. The quadroon and octoroon children of slave-owners were, at least sometimes, also treated as
slaves - a consequence of the immense moral cancer of slavery.

[Barbara Bockman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this wonderful book.

[Dr.J.G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early years of Abraham Lincoln growing up in midwest US in its midgrowth as a nation, with log cabins on one hand and slavery on other on southern plantations. Illinois and Kentucky were border states, often with families divided on the issue, neighbours and communities deeply divided. Lincoln grew up around the border in Illinois and went on to be the silent great man whose great speech post US civil war and bringing in emancipation was then derided for being not long enough, not flowery enough. Now it is a classic memorised by children of his nation.