Young Lincoln

Winner of the Nautilus Prize for middle grades fiction and Best of Illinois History Award from the Illinois State Historical Society

"...Jacobi does what so many good teachers do: He tells stories to bring out the human side of a historical figure." ―Jody Mitori, stltoday.com

"Jacobi's careful research prove to have created an accurate history of the events and mentors that shaped Lincoln into the man and president that he was." ―bellesandrebelles.blogspot.com

"This is the perfect book for Young Adults to explore the early life of a past president that they may never have known otherwise." ―featheredquill.com

"...'Young Lincoln' brings history to life through this biography of a familiar hero." ―midwestbookreview.com

"...the famous Illinoisan himself narrates his journey from young boy to young man, painting a rarely-seen portrait of Lincoln's formative years." ―Sam Dunklau, nprillinois.org

2022 Gilder Lehrman Institute History Teacher of the Year Award winner Jan Jacobi has taught middle school English and humanities in three schools for over 40 years. He grew up in New York and came to St. Louis in 1982. For 27 years, he served as Head of Lower School at St. Louis Country Day School and Head of Middle School at MICDS. For the past five years he has taught 7th and 8th grade humanities at the St. Michael School in Clayton. In 2014 he was recognized as middle school teacher of the year by St. Louis Magazine. Ever since he came to St. Louis, he has been reading and writing about Abraham Lincoln. To celebrate Lincolns birthday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has published a number of his articles. He and his wife Ginger have three grown children, and they live with three dogs and a cat. His interests are gardening, and like Abraham Lincoln, reading the newspapers.