Young Lincoln

Abe Lincoln is growing up on the American frontier in Indiana. It’s cold, there isn’t usually enough to eat, there’s nothing at all to read, and the one job that awaits him is farmer, like his overbearing father. But a chance to travel down the Mississippi river offers Abe the opportunity to see and meet people he has never dreamed of. Abe’s eyes are opened and he can’t go back to being the boy he was before. With the help of his friends, Abe will strike out to find his own path. Obstacles wait around every river bend, and the shadow of death is never far, but nothing will stop him from becoming the man he knows he can be. You might think you know the end of his story, but you have no idea what it took to get there. Researched and written by award-winning educator, Jan Jacobi, Young Lincoln brings history to life through a familiar hero who will jump off the page. For ages 12-16.

Jan Jacobi has taught middle school English and humanities in three schools for over 40 years. He grew up in New York and came to St. Louis in 1982. For 27 years, he served as Head of Lower School at St. Louis Country Day School and Head of Middle School at MICDS. For the past five years he has taught 7th and 8th grade humanities at the St. Michael School in Clayton. In 2014 he was recognized as middle school teacher of the year by St. Louis Magazine. Ever since he came to St. Louis, he has been reading and writing about Abraham Lincoln. To celebrate Lincoln’s birthday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has published a number of his articles. He and his wife Ginger have three grown children, and they live with three dogs and a cat. His interests are gardening, and like Abraham Lincoln, reading the newspapers.