{"product_id":"mrs-lincolns-dressmaker-lynda-jones-9781426303777","title":"Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker: The Unlikely Friendship of Elizabeth Keckley and Mary Todd Lincoln","description":"Few events can stir up a scandal more than an autobiography of a First Lady's confidante. In 1868, a controversial tell-all called \u003ci\u003eBehind the Scenes\u003c\/i\u003e introduced readers to Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley. Mrs. Keckley was a former slave who had been Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker and friend during the White House years, and in the aftermath of President Lincoln's assassination. The book exposed Mary's marriage and her erratic behavior, along with confidential opinions of many in high society. The airing of the Lincoln's \"dirty laundry\" meant humiliation for Mary and her family, and Elizabeth's reputation was destroyed. This outcome would have been unimaginable in 1867, when Mary declared in a letter, \"I consider you my best living friend.\" How could such a bond have developed between a woman born into slavery and the First Lady of the United States? \u003ci\u003eMrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker\u003c\/i\u003e answers this question by chronicling the extraordinary lives of these women. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eReaders will be fascinated by a tale of friendship and fate. The pair seem like polar opposites: Lizzie is calm, dignified, with a steely inner strength; Mrs. Lincoln is fragile, unstable and flighty. Yet both share a burning resolve to get what they want. \u003ci\u003eMrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker\u003c\/i\u003e examines the strains on such a unique friendship, as it's debated and parodied in newspapers. Lizzie must frequently leave her work to attend to the demands of Mrs. Lincoln. She offers constant support and companionship, particularly after the assassination of the President. In return, the dressmaker enjoys all the prestige and the popularity of those close to power. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eReaders witness Elizabeth Keckley in her many roles: from fashion designer to abolitionist to caretaker. They follow her through the Civil War, the evils of slavery, and the many challenges faced alongside the First Lady. Handsome duotone illustrations include daguerreotypes, photos, paintings, and illustrations of the Lincoln's, Mrs. Keckley, and her masters. The book's elegant design emphasizes period fashion and the art of dressmaking. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eMrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker\u003c\/i\u003e tells the remarkable story of a forgotten figure whose influence ran deep and offers a revealing insight into an extraordinary relationship at the very heart of Abraham Lincoln's presidency. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eNational Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.\u003cbr\u003eVisit www.natgeoed.org\/commoncore for more information.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Lynda Jones\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1426303777\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781426303777\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e National Geographic Kids\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/13\/2009\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 80\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.98lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 10.12h x 7.96w x 0.45d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAccelerated Reader:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/b\u003e 7\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePoint Value:\u003c\/b\u003e 2\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eInterest Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Middle Grade\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eQuiz #\/Name: \u003c\/b\u003e129586 \/ Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker: The Unlikely Friendship of Elizabeth Keckley \u0026amp; Mary Todd Lincoln\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Review - Children\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/15\/2008 pg. 1201\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/15\/2008\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/01\/2009 pg. 127\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/01\/2009 pg. 62\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBulletin of Ctr for Child Bks\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/01\/2009\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eHornbook Guide to Children\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/01\/2009 pg. 186 - Recommended, Satisfactory","brand":"Lynda Jones","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":43934855987455,"sku":"9781426303777","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/products\/img_a22a2f9a-01a9-420e-a46d-d1dca622e0c7.jpg?v=1681416446","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/mrs-lincolns-dressmaker-lynda-jones-9781426303777","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}