This biography of Abigail Adams focuses on her writings, but it also gives readers some historical context. The book begins with a two-page introduction to Adams before it moves on to some of the events she witnessed and chronicled in her letters to her husband, John. She describes revolutionary activity, a meeting with George Washington, and even the sadness one of her children feels when he doesn't receive a letter from his father. Along with her well-known feminism, the book also demonstrates Adams' antislavery positions. Many short sidebars explain more about what was happening in the country at the time. Oddly, the book doesn't touch on any writing Adams may have done as first lady. Still, a short list of books and websites will lead kids to more information. An approachable format, illustrated with interesting pictures, gives this further appeal.

KENNON, Caroline . Anne Frank in Her Own Words . ISBN 9781433998720 ; ISBN 9781482465006 ; ISBN 9781477731956 . LEVY, Jane . Lewis and Clark in Their Own Words . ISBN 9781433999291 ; ISBN 9781482465082 ; ISBN 9781477728536 . NAGELHOUT, Ryan . Martin Luther King Jr. in His Own Words . ISBN 9781482401479 ; ISBN 9781482465099 ; ISBN 9781477732236 . SHEA, John M. Thomas Jefferson in His Own Words . ISBN 9781433998737 ; ISBN 9781433999345 ; ISBN 9781477732311 . SHEA, Nicole . Frederick Douglass in His Own Words . ISBN 9781433998980 ; ISBN 9781433998997 ; ISBN 9781482465167 . ea vol: 32p. (Eyewitness to History Series). bibliog. ebook available. further reading. glossary. index. notes. photos. Gareth Stevens . 2014. lib. ed. $26.60. pap. $19.90. ebk. $26.60. Gr 3-5 With the use of an appealing scrapbook style format, this series pairs primary source documents with concise, accessible writing for a winning combination. Throughout each title, the narrative is threaded with diary and letter entries written by the person being featured. Quotations appear in a color that contrasts with the color of the main narrative, giving the quotations visual prominence. The quotes deal with major historical issues and every-day concerns. For instance, the volume about Abigail Adams features several quotes concerning the war and independence, as well as more domestic concerns such as the happiness felt by the family upon receiving letters from the long-absent John. Photographs, maps, drawings, and other ephemera are tinted in sepia, underscoring the archival tone of the books. Attractive and substantive.