Abraham Lincoln: Letters from a Slave Girl (Dear Mr. President) - Hardcover

Lettie Tucker is a literate slave living on a Charleston plantation. When she sends a letter to Abraham Lincoln, the correspondence is enlightening for both. Listeners glimpse the struggles of two different people in the same war-torn nation. As Lincoln experiences the political and personal tug-of-war over slavery, Lettie eloquently argues that preservation of the Union without abolition of slavery is not acceptable. Tom Stechshulte paces his deep voice to reflect a caring and deliberately thoughtful man, wearied by the war. Sisi Johnson has the right blend of bite and sweetness to incite both smiles and sorrow. If the quality of both voices is indicative of this whole series, expect top-notch audiobooks from Live Oak Histories. J.M.P. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Gr. 4-7. In the third volume in the Dear Mr. President series, Pinkney creates a lively, two-year correspondence between Abraham Lincoln and Lettie Tucker, a 12-year-old slave living on a plantation in South Carolina. Lettie respectfully challenges Lincoln, and as she writes about her life and family, the consequences should he fail to end slavery are dramatically revealed. Lincoln's genial, concerned responses depict both his determination to preserve the Union and his conflicted, gradually changing views about abolition. Lettie emerges as engaging, determined, and empathic, whether chiding or comforting Lincoln, grieving when her father is sold, or rejoicing because of the Emancipation Proclamation and her family's new life in Philadelphia. The letters are beautifully written and accompanied by numerous photographs, but the book seems cluttered. And with a publisher's note, an introduction, two pages of ads for the series, three bibliographies, interactive footnotes, an index, and notes linking the text to the publisher's Web site, it seems more like nonfiction than fiction. Still, the price is right, the premise is interesting, the research connections useful, and the letters thought provoking. Chris Sherman
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