Grace's Letter to Lincoln

by Peter Roop, Connie Roop, Stacey Schuett (Illustrator)

Grace's brother and family are part of the Wide-Awake movement, working to elect Abraham Lincoln. But Grace has to stay at home to help with chores, and never gets to be a part of the plans. She longs to make a difference but she can't figure out how, until she comes up with a very original way to make Mr. Lincoln more popular. She writes a letter to the soon-to-be president, telling him that he would be much more popular if he would only grow whiskers. This unusual letter inevitably leads to a change in Mr. Lincoln's appearance, and to the touching historic encounter between this bold little girl and the President.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Childrens, 19th Century

68 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Peter Roop is an award-winning author and educator who has written over one hundred children’s books including biographies, novels, humor, picture books, and science books. Seven of his books are Reading Rainbow books, including the Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie. In 2013, the Wisconsin Library Association recognized Peter and his wife, Connie Roop, as Notable Wisconsin Authors for their body of work, and Peter has been named a Wisconsin State Teacher of the Year. The Roops live in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Erika Stauch]

No awards won, meant for grades 2-5. Grace and her family are supporters of Lincoln. Grace wants to be able to help Lincoln win the election. She writes him a letter says that if he had whiskers he would most likely win. Grace wants to be a part of the election, but is too young to vote on her own. This story is great for children. It doesn't go in depth about many of Lincoln's politics but gives the exact idea of what he would like to achieve. It is an easy read for children of those ages. I would use this in my class around election time and explain about how you can help during the election. I could also use this around Abraham Lincoln's birthday so that the students can learn some more about Lincoln.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Catherine Mustread]

Children's historical fiction book based on a true story about a girl who writes a letter to Abraham Lincoln, telling him he should grow a beard to look more attractive to women, and then they would persuade their men to vote for him.

[Emma Meyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical fiction for kids.

[Magen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has always been my favorite stories in history. I think this is a good story to read older kids when you are talking about governments because it can show them that they can take part in the government just like adults can. And maybe after reading this book you can have them write a letter to the president.

[Christy Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

"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.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Terryann · Rating 2 out of 5]

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?

[Christina Held · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 2 out of 5]

This early chapter book tells the story of a young girl who writes to Abe Lincoln when he’s running for President. She gets a very polite letter in response, which makes her a celebrity in her town for a week. Perhaps limited by the word and chapter guidelines for early chapter books, the story is rather superficial. I had hoped it might give some cool ideas for Lincoln essays (yearly contest here in Oklahoma) or for President’s Day. However, Grace’s letter is superficial (she suggests Abe grow a beard), that not much is learned more about Lincoln or his personality.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Amber Pangburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Monica Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet story of a young girl who is brave enough to write ✍️ a letter. This girl at first doesn't understand slavery and asks a lot of questions, and with her family's help, she concludes that freedom should be for everyone.

[Emily Neuwirth · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was not a good book

[Finley Partee · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Jesse Baldwin]

This book talks about Lincoln's election and how he got the great idea of growing a beard for votes from a little girl named Grace.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super Cute!!!

[Abbigail Leck · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Abraham Lincoln then this is the book for you. You LOVE the books!!!!