Synopsis
"The true story of Vinnie Ream's courage and persistence in the service of art, and in the service of a friend."--Dust jacket, front flap.
Children's Literature
Vinnie Ream, age sixteen, is a gifted sculptor. Vinnie arrives in Washington, D.C., in the early 1860s and ends up working in the dead letter office at the U.S. Postal Service. Vinnie demonstrates courage, compassion, and determination and becomes the apprentice of Clark Mills, a famous sculptor. Soon powerful men in Washington are sitting for their busts in Vinnie's studio, and one day President Lincoln agrees to work with the young girl. For five months, Vinnie sculpts the President's bravery and sadness into a realistic depiction. When he is suddenly assassinated in April of 1865, Vinnie is devastated. But she resolves to sculpt her statue for the Capitol Rotunda and works hard to make her dream come true. Children and parents will enjoy Dawn Fitzgerald's story, which brings Vinnie Ream to life in vivid detail. Catherine Stock's lively illustrations add a special touch to a book that fuses history with a wonderfully crafted narrative.