Anyone that has read our blog for any amount of time knows that we are pretty entrepreneurial – we own our own business, we like to find ‘niche’/unique jobs to do, we encourage our kids to pursue their own trades. So when I was offered the opportunity recently to review a book through The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew, I thought that it would be a great opportunity.
Offered by Inspiring the American Dream, the book Abraham’s Journey:A Celebration of the American Dream, is an introductory look at just what is ‘the American dream’. Written primarily for ages 7-12, this 32 page softcover book is the story of a boy named Abraham who is not going to receive any gifts for Christmas thanks to ‘the Great Recession’ and his parents both losing their jobs. He decides to attempt to ‘save’ Christmas for his family by texting his friends about jobs that he might do. Via his smart phone, he ‘meets’ Abraham Lincoln, who then takes him on a journey that introduces him to several successful Americans: Norman Rockwell, Amelia Earhart, Martin Luther King Jr., Bill and Melinda Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg. Abraham discovers that he has painting talent, paints a picture that is then advertised over social media, and is purchased by the Gates. Abraham is then able to purchase gifts for his family, as well as some for less fortunate others also.
We used this book as a read-aloud for Emma, Joel, and Daniel. I chose to read it aloud since I knew that the kids would not recognize a few of the characters (Gates and Zuckerberg), and I felt that there were points that I wanted to expound on/explain more while we were reading about them.
I wished that the book conveyed a bit more precise how much work and perseverance it can take to achieve your ‘American Dream’, and promoted a little more of a healthy work ethic and stick-to-it-iveness. I did really like that the book had a glossary area in the back, and also offered short biographies on the characters that Abraham met in case a student was not familiar with any of them. I would have liked the book much better had Abraham met ‘American Icons’ that I respected a bit more: like the Cathy (Chik-Fil-A) and Green (Hobby Lobby) families.
For us, the book was a little shallow in details because our kids are already living it. The boys and Emma are working on crafts to sell at this summer’s farmers market with Beth and Eli, and they very much understand how the process works. I think that this book would be a good fit for someone that wants to explain the term ‘the American Dream’ to their kids, but might not necessarily be working for themselves. Abraham’s Journey can be purchased on their site for $14.99, and it can also be purchased in digital form for $9.99 on Amazon. Both forms are full color and are illustrated much like a comic book; appealing to many kids.
You can read other TOS Review Crew member’s reviews here.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.
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