Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James Swanson

Even though we all learn that it was John Wilkes Booth who assassinated Abraham Lincoln, few of us learn the supsenseful story of how Booth ran and was ultimately caught by the authorities. When Abraham Lincoln is assassinated on April 15, 1865 the hunt begins for his killer, John Wilkes Booth and his accomplices. This book tells the story of that manhunt. Booth ran for 12 days from Washington D.C. to Virginia. A suspenseful page turner, the novel tells us the story from the viewpoints of those hunting Booth and families of the conspirators involved in the assassination.

Although this book is found in the fiction department, it is based on true events and all characters are actual people. It is a great introduction to the true-crime genre as well as a fun way to learn about history. You might pick this book up to supplement your U.S. history class, but you’ll end up reading it for enjoyment. It is a page turner that will have you wanting to share the story with others, which makes it a great book report book.

Book; 13+; ISBN 978-0439903547; New York: Scholastic Press, 2009