The Homestead Act - True Books Author:Elaine Landau This is the story of the Homestead Act, signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on May 20, 1862. It opened a door for people to become landownders in the territories of the West. Publisher: Children s Press (2006) Author: Elaine LandauAges: 9-12Format: 47 pages, paperback ISBN: 978-0516279022