The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch (Incredible Lives for Young Readers (ILYR))

My grandsons read this book over the summer. We discussed it and I ended up purchasing the book to donate to the school library.

Wonderful book on history.

Just amazing. I love it as much as our daughters did.

This was a gift to be signed by the author

I just full-on love to read books with my daughter about people triumphing over great odds. It is hard to find more triumph than the life of John Roy Lynch. He was born into slavery. After emancipation, at only age 16, set off on his own. He found a job as a waiter and kept working his way into higher paying jobs. Then, he essentially taught him self to read and write! What a truly brilliant man! He goes on to become a justice of the peace, a Mississippi state representative, the Mississippi Speaker of the House, and finally a representative in the U.S. House. Like I said, this was a truly amazing and inspiring man. My only small complaint is that this book, although heavy on Lynch's personal accomplishments, really fails to drive home his lasting accomplishments in a concrete manner accessible to young readers. What impact did he have that we still feel today? The book really did not focus on that question in a way my 7-year-old could easily internalize. Other than that though, this is a great book.

With engaging text and eye-catching illustrations, this book brings to life an important and inspirational historical figure in America. This man went form slave to elected Congressman in 10 years! Highly recommended book for all.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! The story was easy to explain when the little ones had questions and the artwork was great!

This beautifully illustrated picture book includes historical notes, a timeline and notes from the author and illustrator at the end of the book. The story of John Roy Lynch, son of an Irish father and enslaved mother, who went from being a teenage field slave to a US Congressman in ten years - from 1862 to 1872, is told in a way that children can understand and relate to and the illustrations help to tell the story. The story tells about the life of John Roy Lynch and about the Civil War and Reconstruction period that followed it and how he fought for civil rights during that time. The story is informative and touching and I love the illustrations.