Mr. Lincoln's Way (The Kindness Editions)

We have read this book many times and often we revisit it for its themes of bullying, trusting in the process, and crossing color lines. Good for 6-9 year olds.

This book was a delightful surprise! I so appreciated how this principal interacted with the students. (Truth is that rarely do modern day principals have this kind of time due to behaviors and administrative responsibilities, but I love the idea.) The acceptance and kindness that he models in the book towards the bully spark great conversations with students. The ending will warm your heart as well. Not every situation turns ends with the sun shining and everyone smiling, but that is certainly our goal!

Ironically, it was my daughter who told me about this book. A lab student from the University read it to her 2nd grade class and Ingrid was immediately besotted. I am the one who usually recommends books to this first year teacher! When she began her year of teaching back in August, the first gift I gave her was my beloved THANK YOU, MR. FALKER, my favorite Polacco book. I wanted her to know how important a teacher is in the life of her students. I still think of Eleanor Mills, my sixth grade teacher many, many decades ago! Anyway, MR. LINCOLN'S WAY is one of six Polacco books that I gave to my daughter for her birthday. It is the touching story of an African American Principal and how he cares so much for his students that he goes out of his way to reach 'the problem child.' "Mean Gene" (who is white) is the school bully; he terrorizes the children, especially those who are different because of their race or nationality. Mr. Lincoln discovers that Gene is passionate about birds and gives him a project--filling the school atrium with birds. Gene ends up having a complete personality change which is even noticed by his teachers. The key to this story is Principal Lincoln who takes the time to discover why Gene acts out--a cruel, racist father. As teachers, we sometimes have students who are 'unlovable' and we never take the time to think why: Did this child have breakfast? Is he even loved? Is he beaten at home? I think if we spent more time learning about our student's backgrounds, we could touch more lives.

This author hands down is one of my favorites for children's literature. Her situations like this wonderful Principal in a school and his way of dealing with difficult students teaches such good lessons in looking beyond what you see and finding ways to befriend even those kids who don't seem to be "fun or friendly". Her stories are realistic but always gift us with insight and compassion.

Mr. Lincoln's Way is an excellent book. Because of the subject matter, I bought one for me and one for my 5 year old granddaughter. We read it together and she had lots of intelligent questions. The story is engaging and tackles racist viewpoints and bullying in the most loving way. This is a story that should be mandatory for all of the people in this country (USA). Brilliantly told, smart, loving, poignant.