Dolley Madison: First Ladies Second to None
By Amie Jane Leavitt
Purple Toad Publishing, 2016.
Review from School Library Journal on the “First Ladies Second to None” series: Gr 6-9–Covering various First Ladies, these narratives are rich in detail and clearly written. Some titles include more historical background than others. Abigail Adams, for instance, devotes much space to the early days of the Revolution. Most of the narratives are complemented with extensive quotations from the First Ladies’ letters, adding a personal perspective. Hillary Clinton, which should be popular during election season, can be uncritical at times and is vague about the scandal surrounding her husband’s impeachment, though its treatment of her early years is more solid. Illustrations include photos of monuments and historical homes, as well as images of historical significance, such as a photo of construction in progress on the Washington Monument, a project supported by Dolley Madison. VERDICT Good to excellent portraits of important figures often not given full historical treatment.