Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)
Burleigh sets his historic tale at a dramatic, emotional time. Abraham Lincoln has been assassinated, and Luke and his father are riding in a buggy through the night to meet the funeral train as it passes through town. The father and son join the many people who have lit bonfires and are waiting. As the train approaches, torches are lit. Luke feels the ground tremble. He sees tears on his father’s cheeks. The train passes. When it is all over, Luke remembers it all as he falls asleep in the buggy on his father’s shoulder. Minor’s gouache and watercolor, detailed, naturalistic, double-page paintings in muted colors convey the somber emotions of the occasion. The several views of the funeral train’s locomotive with its flags and flowers supply an impressive visual continuity as it appears along the route. The portraits of Luke enhance the solemnity. The end pages reproduce the flags that were encountered along the way. There is a map, copious notes, and additional facts, which help put the story into historic context. 2008, Henry Holt and Company, $16.95. Ages 6 to 9.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2008 (Vol. 76, No. 12))
Two picture-book veterans choose a unique way of demonstrating President Lincoln's impact upon the people of the United States. Rather than focusing on his life, they tell the tale of Lincoln's funeral train, which traveled over 1,600 miles from Washington to Springfield, Ill. Young Luke goes with his father late one night to stand by the railroad tracks bisecting a prairie so that they might pay their respects, along with other mourners gathered in the gloom. The simply told story conveys both the sorrow of those gathered to see the train as well as the boy's comprehensive impression of the event. Minor's magisterial watercolors are beautifully executed, particularly one image that superimposes Lincoln's face across the predawn sky; interesting changes in perspective and historical details add to the atmosphere. While the boy and his father look a bit contemporary, this quiet, lovely book sensitively communicates a sense of the magnitude of loss felt by so many. The contemplative story is supported by an afterword and "interesting facts" about the train's journey through the grieving nation. (notes, resources) 2008, Henry Holt, 40p, $16.95. Category: Picture book. Ages 7 to 10. © 2008 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Betsy Ruffin (Library Media Connection, April 2009)
On a quiet night, a boy and his father head out on a somber trip to see the train bringing Abraham Lincoln’s body to its final resting place in Springfield, Illinois. This picture book gives us the story not only of Luke and his father as they travel the dark night, but of the others who gathered near the track awaiting the train. Bonfires were lit so people could see the picture of Lincoln above the cowcatcher and count the cars looking for the next to last one which contained the coffin. The train passes slowly by, then Luke, his father, and the others turn on their own way home, all dealing with their feelings about the fallen president. An afterword on Lincoln’s death and facts about the Lincoln Funeral Train are included. The text is simple enough for younger readers, but still descriptive and evocative for older readers. The illustrations, done in gouache watercolor, echo the emotions and the details bring the story to life. The end materials contain facts not usually given in books on Lincoln. The book is a good addition for a collection with other works on this president. Recommended. 2008, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, 40pp., $16.95 hc. Ages 7 to 10.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2009)
Luke and his father travel into the night to meet the funeral train carrying Abraham Lincoln's body. They join hundreds of solemn people who come to mourn the fallen president at stops along the way to Illinois. Burleigh's solid text and Minor's gouache watercolor illustrations capture the somber mood and provide a fitting backdrop for the 1865 setting. Factual information is appended. Category: Picture Books. 2008, Holt, 32pp, 16.95. Ages 4 to 9. Rating: 3: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration.