Spielberg's New "Lincoln" Movie Opens Door for Reading Opportunities

The new blockbuster movie, Lincoln, opens three days after Election Day. Director Steven Spielberg's film explores the final months of the 16th president's life and actions. The chances are strong that many young patrons and students will attend the film, and want to know more about the events and personalities depicted.

This provides a wonderful opportunity for librarians, teachers, and parents to encourage young viewers to become young readers. Enslow Publishers has a number of age-appropriate titles that focus on Lincoln, slavery, and states' rebellion against the federal government.

200 Years with Abraham Lincoln: One Man's Life and Legacy explores the Great Emancipator's compelling story. Author Helen Koutras Bozonelis's efficiently presented, well-written 64-page book is enhanced with useful illustrations and photographs. The title also include additional source materials and other reference information. The book is available from Enslow in a library-bound edition for $20.95; that price includes a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price. It is also available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Meanwhile, young readers curious about Steven Spielberg can consult Enslow's biography of him. Author Laura B. Edge's 128-page book, part of Enslow's "People to Know Today" series, offers a page-turning account of Spielberg's life and professional accomplishments. Steven Spielberg: Director of Blockbuster Films is available from Enslow  in a library-bound edition for $23.95; that price represents a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price for the title. This book is also available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Books That Explore Security in Post-911 Era

Our awareness of national security and the agencies responsible for it changed after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. For young readers curious about how this often-secret world goes about its business, Enslow Publishers offers an age-appropriate, factually solid group of books on this topic.

Our new The Security Agencies of the United States book focuses on the dedicated men and women who often work in the shadows where threats against our country may emerge. Author Tom Streissguth's 104-page work explores the principal agencies, their unique roles, and their many challenges. The school/library price of this 104-page book is $24.95 (that's a 25% discount from Enslow's list price).

Meanwhile, for those curious about the world of espionage and high-tech intelligence work, author Susan K. Mitchell's six-book "The Secret World of Spies" series fills the bill. Each of these 48-page works offer easy, entertaining material that includes memorable true-crime stories, "secret" facts, and photographs that bring these cloak-and-dagger subjects to life. A library-bound edition of each book is available for $17.95; the price represents a 25% discount from Enslow's list price.

Young readers interested to learn more about the events of 9/11 itself can read Enslow's Remembering September 11, 2001: What We Know Now. Writer Mara Miller's skillfully written, factual 112-page overview of that dark day's events, its principal personalities, and the incidents' background, is both accessible and engaging. You can order this library-bound book from Enslow for $23.95; this represents a 25% school/library discount from our list price.

Who was the first Republican President?

Abraham Lincoln!

On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States as the first Republican to hold that office. He received 180 of 303 possible electoral votes and 40 percent of the popular vote.

Want to learn more about Honest Abe? Enslow has a few titles that can help: 200 Years with Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln, and Music for Abraham Lincoln CD

On this day in history

On April 14, 1865 Abraham Lincoln was shot and mortally wounded by John Wilkes Booth while at the Ford's Theater in Washington, DC. President Lincoln died the next day.

Abraham Lincoln takes oath of office on this day in 1861

On this date in 1861, Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office as the 16th president of the United States.

Are you interested in civil war tunes and campaign songs? Music for Abraham Lincoln is the place to look!

SLJ's Diane Chen has something to say about our 200 Years with Abraham Lincoln book!

200 Years with Abraham Lincoln: One Man's Life and Legacy by Helen Koutras Bozonelis. Enslow. 2008

"This title may be my favorite of the three. It has breadth and depth. The information will last longer than during one year of celebrating. Older students are willing to pick this up to read and research while teachers are reading the previous two titles to classes. In 64 pages this title includes photographs, memorabilia, quotations, and side bars to keep interest high. The layout is clean and the text reads well. Many of the important highlights of Lincoln's life are included. Overall, this was a very satisfying read for an introduction to Lincoln."

Feb. 8, 2009 - Diane Chen