The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan

The story of the Lincoln family in Springfield as seen through the fresh eyes of Ana, a young Portuguese immigrant who worked in the Lincoln household and became a lifelong friend.  Not only do we get a taste for their life in Springfield before the presidential election but also the political climate.  Ana is smart and both the Lincolns do their part to help further her studies.  She like many others appreciate Lincoln's calm contemplative demeanor and believe in his vision of a unified and just future for all people - all colors and backgrounds.  Many others do not feel that way and tension and emotions run high in the city, state and the country.  While war looms on the horizon families will be torn apart and neighbors turn away from each other as lines are drawn.  Even after the war and the assassination tempers and racial hatred are not only elevated but escalate.  Ana and her family will experience grief, joy and healing just as the Lincolns face the same life challenges.
Chock full of real event and well known figures from the debates to underground railroad as well as behind the scenes heroes, this is a deeply moving story spanning decades of the the scars and high cost of war, racism and loyalty.  4 stars