The Great Depression for Kids is, as its title says, a book about the Great Depression geared towards kids. The book starts with a timeline of the Great Depression and then goes on to talk about different aspects of life in more details, but in such a way that kids would not have a problem understanding. Throughout the book there are also activities for kids to do to be more hands-on when they are learning about the Great Depression. There are a lot of photos throughout and a lot of great information. The book also includes additional websites to explore if you are looking for more information than included in the book.
I received an e-copy of this book in order to write this review.
About the Book
American history before and after the Wall Street Crash of 1929
Providing a balanced, realistic picture of a time rife with hardships, The Great Depression for Kids brings the era and key concepts to life. Kids learn about the harsh realities that most Americans could not escape, such as massive unemployment, natural disasters, and economic collapse. They also learn that the 1930s were a time when neighbors helped neighbors; sports figures behaved admirably; and an army of young men rebuilt the nation’s forests, roads, and parks. Librarians delivered books on horseback, a curly-haired child star charmed moviegoers to “stand up and cheer” in the darkest of days, and a little African American girl became the first of her race to participate in the National Spelling Bee. Beginning with an in-depth look at the 1920s, the book builds readers’ background knowledge to help set the stage for the decline of the economy over the next decade. Twenty-one crosscurricular activities help kids learn how to research, buy, and sell stocks; use scientific methods to conduct a survey, re-create Depression glassware; and much more.