The Amazing age of John Roy Lynch by Chris Barton, Illustrated by Don Tate

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.