Lincoln Through the Lens : How Photography Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Life by Martin W. Sandler

I've read plenty of biographies of Abraham Lincoln, so any new ones I read need to have a unique viewpoint or hook. In Lincoln Through the Lens, Martin Sandler ties important events in Lincoln's life to photographs taken of him. This is by no means a thorough examination of Lincoln's life, but I still think it's worth a look. Some of the photos selected for use are rare and readers will enjoy viewing these.

While probably not the best choice if you're looking for information for a report (except for supplementary information), the casual reader will find it fun to peruse. I give it a 'B.'

Anne Frank: The Anne Frank House Authorized Biography by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón

A biography told in graphic format, Anne Frank, tells the story of Anne's life from her birth, to her life in the Secret Annex, to her tragic death in a Nazi concentration camp, to the lasting legacy of her diary. I wasn't sure that the comic format would be an appropriate way to showcase Anne's life, since some artist's styles are too campy. Not so, with this one. There's an adjustment in style when switching from life in the Secret Annex to updating major events in Nazi Germany and the war. The illustrations with the Nazis are drawn with harsher lines, seem more angular, so the reader immediately understands the horrors associated with the Nazis.

The story is complete and I applaud the inclusion of the importance of the publishing of Anne's diary. By presenting her story in this graphic format, Anne's story is now much more accessible for those that might be put off by the size and difficulty of Anne's diary. I give it a 'B+.'

The Great and Only Barnum by Candace Fleming

I usually shy away from reading children's biographies, because they tend to be either two simplistic or all style and no substance. I decided to read The Great and Only Barnum because of all the wonderful reviews I'd read, plus I've always been a wee bit curious about Mr. Barnum.

Visually, I like this book. Its chapters begin with what look like advertisement cards for Mr. Barnum's attractions. Each chapter focuses on one event or part of Barnum's life, told succinctly with just enough descriptive language to keep it from being dry. Plenty of illustrations and photographs fill the pages, but not too many to take away from the words. The sidebars were distracting to me. It may just be a personal thing, but I hate to stop reading the text or finding a stopping point in the main text to go back and read the side bar. It takes me out of the story and I have to settle back in. I realize why they are there and they do have relevant and interesting information, though. The story is well-told, with plenty of facts used, but the text flows smoothly. The reader is caught up in the story of Barnum's life, rather than seeing the text as a list of facts tied together.

There's plenty to like about The Great and Only Barnum and I know I'll be recommending it a lot this year. I give it a B, Recommended.