Join noted Newbery-Award winning author Russell Freedman as he invites the viewer into his New York City home for a fascinating discussion of history and non-fiction writing for kids. Russell also reads from his Newbery Award-winning book, Lincoln: A Photobiography and shares anecdotes and stories about Abraham Lincoln. -21 mins
School Library Journal - Video Pick of the Week, 3/20/08

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Topics for classroom discussion and assignments:

• During the interview, Tim Podell, says that sometimes you meet someone like Russell Freedman, who seems to know everything; it could be a parent, teacher, sibling or a counselor. Do you know someone who “knows everything”? If yes, write about him or her. Name at least one important fact or idea that you learned from this person. If not, imagine such a person and write about spending an hour or two with them.

• Choose a favorite historical figure and read about this person in an encyclopedia. Then read a biography of the person, and in a short essay, compare the two ways of retrieving information about a historical figure. Questions to ask yourself: Which gives you a better view of the way the person thinks and feels? Which seems more accurate? Which is more interesting to read?

•  Russell Freedman is asked by the interviewer, “If you could invite five people to dinner who would you invite?”  Choose five people they would invite to dinner and write about the reason for your choices. Limit this to famous or historical figures, not family members.

• Research and write about a sad historical event — or if you prefer, a happy one.