Grace's Letter to Lincoln is the second biography aimed at young readers by Peter and Connie Roop I've read.

This book is part historical fiction and part biography. It was inspired by a letter written by then 11 year old Grace Bedell to Abraham Lincoln when he was running for president. In her letter she suggested that Lincoln try growing a beard to win votes. Grace's Letter to Lincoln includes a reproduction of the original letter at the close of the book.

Besides the history of the letter, the book covers the subjects of the Underground Railroad, women's suffrage, slavery and the early days of the Civil War. Grace's Letter to Lincoln could be a good introduction to a number of subjects but should be used in conjunction with other books or resources.

questions asked to pen pal:

Did you like Grace's Letter to Lincoln? I did. I thought it was really cool that it was based on a true story. I also liked that I got to learn some new words and phrases like 'affectation' and 'happy as a clam at high water'. Did you learn a new word or phrase from reading the book?

How brave Grace was to suggest that Mr. Lincoln grow whiskers! Can you imagine writing a letter to President Obama? Would you ask him to grow whiskers? On page 22, Mama agrees to let Grace help make banners and to keep it a secret from Papa. Do you think this is the right thing to do? Do you think Grace should be allowed to help?

Wow it was based on a true story! 4/5* A few sentences seemed to be missing a word?

This is a pretty good story about a girl who wrote a letter to Lincoln. I would recommend this book for 2nd and 3rd graders.

I read this book for my In2Books.com pen-pal and I LOVED it. It fictionalizes a wonderful true story about the little girl who wanted Lincoln to grow 'whiskers.' Super cute. It opened a wonderful dialog with my 3rd grade pen-pal and was a great learning experience for both of us. The book includes issues about sibling rivalry, doing chores, writing, politics, the Underground Railroad and Wide Awake Movement, and even includes an actual photograph of the letter that President Lincoln wrote back to Grace.

Very enjoyable story about the young girl, Grace Bedell, who wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln, suggesting he might look better with a beard. Grace and her family are placed in historical context, providing a great educational opportunity to get children thinking while also enjoying a well-written book. Recommended.

"Grace's Letter to Lincoln" is a historical fiction book of the girl that wrote a letter to President Lincoln. This is a great book that allows the minds of the young readers to explore the possible life that Grace Bedell lived. I chose this book because of its historical importance. I like that it reminds us that historical people are people too.

This is about a little girl who wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln when he was running for election. She told him to grow a beard and he did. He liked her for that and said she helped him win the election. I would use this in a classroom when talking about what can help influence some during an election.

This is a great book for 2nd or 3rd graders to read. It is about a white girl who feels left out in the fight to end slavery. She is too young to protest so she decides to write a letter to the soon to be president, Abraham Lincoln. This is so appropriate with all the election excitement going on in the US right now. It brings out another perspective in that a white girl and her family see slavery being wrong and stand up for what is right. This could help children understand the oppression that African Americans feel from their past and how this election has changed the course of history.

The book is simple. Yes, there is more to the discussion than what is presented here. Maybe a little over simplified but at least a great place to get the discussion started about states rights and the fact that there was more to the story than just slavery.

All that to say it is a sweet story and the fact that it is based on a true story makes it all the more fun.

Good semi-historical fiction about a true letter written to Lincoln by an 11 year old girl recommending he grow a beard. It's engaging enough for the kids to not feel like they are 'forced to read about history', but at the same time, it talks about not just slavery, but the underground railroad, views about the role of women at that time period, and just glimpses of everyday life during that era.

My love of reading started when i was young, and it gives me immense pleasure to provide books to Spread the Word Nevada, an organization that passes them on to children in the community. They are a terrific organization supporting an important cause. If your local I encourage you to check them out. For those living further a field, look in your own community, their may already be a similar program in place. And if not, you can always help start one.

http://spreadthewordnevada.org/

Myself, I go out on the weekends and
shop thrift store and bulk book lots to rescue books and donate them. Sometimes I'll find a book I remember reading when I was young and will read it again before passing it on.

I don't rate these books using my normal scale, instead I give most of them three stars. This isn't a Criticism of the book, simply my way of rating them as good for children.