The author graciously sent me a copy to read for review (thank you). It has been published and you can grab a copy now.
She might be the second first lady but she's real tired of living in a white house that isn't finished and hanging her laundry inside so it will dry. He's busy with business but she's bored. So she decides she'd like to be a pirate. After all, even if she can't get her husband to listen about equality for women, you can be a female pirate. All you have to do is prove you're tough.
This series has the feel of the Magic Treehouse adventures but they don't use a treehouse. Abigail jumps into her laundry basket and travels to a different time and place. Abe Lincoln is the one who alerts the kids that she's going to need help to get back to her own time.
This is a mix of fact and fiction and a bit of a silly read but it's an easy way for middle graders to learn a bit of dry history in a way that makes it fun. Neil Swaab's illustrations give it a graphic novel touch that adds to charm. There's enough nonsensical things going on to maintain interest and the few facts should stick. It's a bit weak as a learning tool but watching Abigail out stare the captain of the pirates is worth it!
