Mr. Lincoln's Way

Patricia Polacco often writes books promoting ethnic, religious, and intergenerational understanding, but I've never seen her deal with prejudice as directly as she does here. This is a psychologically adept book that is both entertaining and instructive. Most importantly, she shows that while hatred can be learned, it can also be overcome. Eugene Esterhause ("Mean Gene") beats up other kids, misbehaves badly in class, and uses racial epithets. The principal, an African American named Mr. Lincoln, overhears Gene using the "N" word: "'I'm going to tell Mr. Lincoln,' she announced. `Go ahead, you little brat. I ain't afraid of that n___' Then he stopped. Mr. Lincoln was standing right there." Polacco continues: "Now Eugene was in Mr. Lincoln's thoughts more than ever-he knew he had to find a way to reach him." Mr. Lincoln connects with Gene as the two build an aviary, building Gene's self-esteem and using Gene's love of different birds as a way to understand that diverse people are united as well. Later, when Eugene calls two students from Mexico "brown-skinned toads," he learns how Gene's father has "an ugly name for just about everybody who's different from us." Mr. Lincoln makes him promises to respect all the schoolchildren ("my little birds"), and learns that there's a grandfather in the picture who does not share Gene's father's prejudice. Depending on the age and maturity of the reader, the story presents many good opportunities for sharing, discussion, and problem solving. There is little preaching here; instead, Gene learns the power of thinking for one's self, and how youngsters--like baby birds--are shaped by the environment. As in her superb "Thank you, Mr. Falker," Polacco shows how compassionate and firm nurturance can help kids overcome their emotional and social problems. Of course, these issues aren't always as tractable as depicted in these two books, but they offer kids real solutions and reasons to hope. There is idealism here, but `Mr. Lincoln' also hints at the many complex and entrenched factors that reinforce hate. As usual, Polacco's unique illustrations convey a wealth of emotion that both soften and enhance the narrative.

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.

I liked the book because it was showing people that it doesn't matter what color you are or what heritage you came from, everyone is the same.

In Patricia Polacco's "Mr. Lincoln's Way," she shows the power of teachers and administrators to reach even the most unreachable kids. Typically for Polacco, she weaves magic with her illustrations and makes the story intriguing as well. "Mean Gene" is the bully of the school, the one who has been taught to hate anyone different from himself. But Gene has also been taught, by his grandfather, to identify and love birds. He knows everything about birds, from the types of trees they like to nest in to the kind of food they need to eat. Mr. Lincoln latches onto this talent and nurtures it, asking Gene to be in charge of figuring out what should go into the school's atrium. As Gene eventually blossoms, so do the ducks who live in the atrium--and as he helps herd the ducklings towards the pond, so is he led by Mr. Lincoln towards greater understanding and tolerance. This is a lovely book for just about any age. Younger kids can just enjoy the pictures, while older kids may want to discuss the idea of prejudice and consequences for actions. It's a treat to see a black principal with a whole culturally diverse student body, too. Highly recommended.

Have you ever been hurt by a bully? This book could help you understand why a kid in your class might be a bully. This book is also great for teachers and principals by showing them how to help kids who bully others. Mr. Lincoln is the kind of principal that all students would love to have--he's the coolest and he is very kind! He helps a bully in this story by being kind to him. He teaches this boy many things.We are Mrs. Moore's fourth graders from Murphy Elementary School and the illustrations from this book are based on our school. We see the ducklings in our atrium every year. This book is so good that we think it deserves the Caldecott award.