Booklist Starred Review

The book's broad pages offer plenty of space for the lucid main text and lively illustrations, which work together well. The writing features vignettes such as a memorable account of a turnip-carving experience that revealed French's aptitude for sculpture as well as an informative account of the Lincoln Memorial project, its central statue, and its place in American life.Strong, graceful, and expressive, Fields' artwork captures the period setting while making even unnamed people look like individuals. Though color is used here and there, most of the illustrations are large, beautiful crosshatched pen-and-ink drawings in black and white. Appended information, notes, and photos conclude this engaging tribute to French and the Lincoln Memorial.

Linda Booth Sweeney is a truly great author and Shawn Fields her uniquely talented partner in crime. Together, they've turned something as seemingly mundane as the act of creating the Lincoln Memorial into a true work of American history. It acknowledges the good, the bad, and the complicated. It makes no excuses, just hands over the facts. It avoids almost all fake dialogue and accounts for direct quotes in its backmatter. It's a delight to read and remember. This marvelous book is deserving of your love.

- To whom would you recommend this book? Students who are interested in art will find this interesting.
- Anything you didn't like about it? No. It's beautifully illustrated and inspiring!
- Who should buy this book? Elementary and middle school libraries
- Where would you shelve it? nonfiction