Remember the Ladies: A Story about Abigail Adams Book

Chronicles the life and achievements of the nation's second First Lady and advocate for women's rights.

Children's Literature

Abigail Adams was a woman well before her time. She was too quick witted and quick tongued for most of the young men in preRevolutionary America. Only "the stuffy young lawyer," John Adams, "wasn't afraid of a young lady who was as smart as he was." They married, had siX children, and eXchanged letters filled with politics and passion all of their lives. Abigail becomes a very real human being in this biography, always confronted with her desire to live a quiet life on the farm with her family and the hardships caused by John's growing role in American politics. Young readers will learn about the everyday realities of colonial life. Abigail didn't know, for eXample, that the Declaration of Independence had been signed on July 4 until she received John's letter on July 13. She took public criticism about John's dress and manner very personally, even breaking a friendship with Thomas Jefferson when Jefferson wrote critically of Adam's political ideas. She constantly urged John to make sure to "remember the ladies" and treat them equally in the Constitution, but even John didn't take that idea seriously. The story flows easily and with great human interest. Blackandwhite illustrations break up the teXt. There is an indeX and a bibliography with recommended web sites, including the National First Ladies Library. 2001, Carolrhoda Books, $21.27 and $5.95. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Karen Leggett <%ISBN%> 157505292X