An Unlikely Friendship by Ann Rinaldi is an intriguing adventure through the lives of two honorable, hard-working women during a time of racial discrimination. The emotional scenes and historical memorabilia painted in this novel are sure to satisfy.

Mary Todd Lincoln was born into wealth and privilege.She had plenty of material items but little affection after her mother died in childbirth when Mary was only seven years old. Her father remarried shortly after, and his new wife, Betsy, was very cruel to the Todd children. Mary and her stepmother were always at odds, and Betsy finally got rid of Mary by sending her to boarding school. When Mary visited her sister Elizabeth, she met a young country lawyer by the name of Abraham Lincoln, whom she married in November 1842.

Elizabeth Keckley was born a slave on the Burwell plantation. Lizzy was given household chores to do, and being a slave, she received her first beating, which taught her to trust no one. Lizzy’s mother taught her to sew and she eventually became an expert seamstress. When she was in her teens, she was given to her master’s son, whose wife disliked her. Lizzy was stubborn and strong willed, so she stood up to the woman and received more beatings and was sent to work for other people. One of these people repeatedly beat, and raped her, thus she bore a son.

Lizzy was determined to be free. In 1855 she and her son George purchased their freedom and moved to Washington. There Lizzy became a sought after seamstress, catering to the wives of Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis and other powerful, influential men. As her reputation grew, she came to the attention of Mary Todd Lincoln. Mary found a friend in Lizzy, much like Mammy Sally, a former slave of the Todd’s, was during Mary’s childhood, and Lizzy was able to overlook Mary’s various personality quirks.

In An Unlikely Friendship, award-winning author Ann Rinaldi gives readers an opportunity to better appreciate the life of a complicated and somewhat misunderstood historical figure. I’m not a fan of historic novels, but this one is an inspirational read for anyone. It definitely deserves a 4 out of 5.