Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship by Nikki Giovanni

4 OUT OF 5 STARS

This picture book illustrates an unusually friendship between our 16^th president, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, a freed slave. Abraham Lincoln invited Frederick Douglass to his second inauguration. The story demonstrates the common interests between the two great American leaders during a time when debate surrounding racial equality was at its greatest. The story also introduces John Brown, who was friends with Frederick Douglass and fought for freeing slaves.  Unfortunately, John Brown’s fate did end tragically when him and his men were hung.  The artwork throughout the story book is a collection on cut-out images that help enhance the great America history story. The last page of the book is a timeline of events following Abraham Lincoln’s and Frederick Douglass’s achievements from 1809 until 1895. This picture, without a doubt, fully deserved receiving the 2009 elementary award due to the retelling of a great historical time through the unusual friendship between two such influential men.


This is the 2nd children's book about Frederick Douglass I have read, both for my Children's Literature course. The pictures alone will keep the young children interested, while teaching them some history as well.


Giovanni, Nikki.  Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship.  New York: Henry Holt  
        and Company, LLC.  2008.  40 pages, age 6-12 years.