As he did for frontier children in his enormously popular Children of the Wild West, Russell Freedman illuminates the lives of the American childre...
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reviews
Mar 05, 2011
L11Beverly
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This book shares photographs of children living during the Great Depression and describes their daily lives in detail. The text touches on the relevant topics of watching their parents struggle to provide for their families, schools shutting down for loss of funds, farm foreclosures, hte living conditions of migrant workers, the economic disparity children saw at school, the dust bowl, and children working to help their families before child labor laws were in place. The book explains how the
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Apr 19, 2009
Cindy
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Russell Freedman’s conversational tone highlights the Great Depression and Depression-era children’s lives with prose that engages the young and old alike. Illustrated with photographs by the likes of Walker Evans, this informational book shows, through visual texts and light, easy-to-comprehend prose, the world of the box car kids, the city kids, the migrant farm workers, the strugglers, the world of children whose schools shut down, the children of parents who had all but given up on the worl
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Jan 24, 2012
Jami
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I learned all about the FSA program that President Roosevelt established in my photographic studies in college. It was established to help get a true sense/feel for how badly the Great Depression was affecting the American citizens (businesses, families). Photographers were hired to travel the country and photograph the dire and the destitute. The poor children suffered and most teenagers felt the burden they placed on their parents and became train hoppers (run aways) . . . especially if they w
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Apr 11, 2011
Katey
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My view on Social Studies:
I believe that social studies is the study of humans, their interactions with each other and the world around them. As teachers, we must open the eyes of our students to the diverse cultures around us. Every individual is unique and can offer something to the world.
Summary and integration of book:
Although this book reads, more like an adult book and is a great resource for the Great Depression. What I like most is that you get several accounts of wha More...
I believe that social studies is the study of humans, their interactions with each other and the world around them. As teachers, we must open the eyes of our students to the diverse cultures around us. Every individual is unique and can offer something to the world.
Summary and integration of book:
Although this book reads, more like an adult book and is a great resource for the Great Depression. What I like most is that you get several accounts of wha More...
Aug 04, 2010
Michele
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This book kind of felt like reading a textbook to me. I think it would be good to excerpt from or read as research about setting before reading a novel that was set in the great depression. The photographs are quite stunning, but as the note in the beginning said, many of them can be found for free online. I guess this book was actually more specific and had more details than a textbook would.
I think there were a lot of details that would interest children reading this book, particu More...
I think there were a lot of details that would interest children reading this book, particu More...
Nov 27, 2011
Jana
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My daughter got this book from the library for a report she did on the Great Depression. I couldn't help but pick it up and read it. The pictures drew me in. Russell Freedman is always so good at finding wonderful pictures of history. He also has a lot of quotes from actual children of the time period that are so interesting. It was a sad read, but helped me remember how grateful I am for the many blessings we have in this day and age.
May 21, 2009
While children had to work instead of go to school and food was often in short supply there were also bright spots. Based on first-hand accounts Freedman has illustrated those highlights with favorite games and radio shows. His words tell the story but the black and white photographs pack the biggest punch: kids with dirty faces and clothes, hard at work grace many of the pages. This is a quality, realistic history lesson.
Dec 07, 2010
Sabrina
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Great depression-informational text
This book covers the causes of the Great depression and the effect it had on the children durng this time period. It has great black and white photos that can lead to critical discussions of about the emotions the chldren were feeling and what the students think they can interpret about the children from looking at the photos. It also discusses migrant work, school, and entertainment during the Great Depression.
This book covers the causes of the Great depression and the effect it had on the children durng this time period. It has great black and white photos that can lead to critical discussions of about the emotions the chldren were feeling and what the students think they can interpret about the children from looking at the photos. It also discusses migrant work, school, and entertainment during the Great Depression.
Mar 21, 2011
Debbie
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A great book focused on the children growing up during the GreaT depression who became known as the "greastest generation" after rebuilding the economy post-WWII. Wonderfully chosen pictures throughout from photographers who had been government-commissioned to capture Americans struggling through the depression.
Apr 09, 2011
Brett
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Kids should find that this book's perspective, looking specifically at the lives of kids growing up during the Great Depression, makes the story of that particular time period a lot more pertinent to what they experience, & therefore a lot more real. The photographs are absolutely fascinating.
Dec 05, 2010
Alyse
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If you are talking about the Great Depression in social studies, this book will be perfect. This book talks about the experiences of young children living through the Great Depression. Perfect for helping your students relate to that time period.
Aug 03, 2009
Jennifer
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Russell Freedman is well-known and respected for his children's nonfiction books. This is a fantastic look at children's lives during the Great Depression. Harrowing. Children's nonfiction.
Jun 03, 2009
Kirby
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Russell Freedman is a master at bringing history to life on the page. I loved the snippets of real kids' stories -- so evocative that they made me want more.
May 07, 2008
Amy
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This author is a phenomenal writer and historian. All of his books are geared for children/young adults to give them a thorough and comprehensive introduction to different aspects of American history. They are beautifully written with amazing illustrations and photographs. I have read several of these books to my own children and even if we don't read all the text, the photographs generate more awareness and conversation than I could alone. I would HIGHLY recommend any of his books for your coll
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May 12, 2009
Casey
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Great way for children to learn about history, hearing about the kids’ side of the story. Much more relatable.
Dec 13, 2011
Shushlibrarian
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Loved this book. The pictures were stunningly stark. An easy read for an accurate overview of the times.
Jun 30, 2010
Kgilpatrick
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Great book for middle school students interested in the Great Depression! I read the book cover to cover.
Feb 19, 2011
Rebecca
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Informational books have come a long way since I was a kid. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Jul 21, 2011
Anastasia
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A great photo history with clear, well-written information to supplement the photos.
Mar 17, 2011
Austin
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i thought it was good how the history of the children was put into the book
Apr 07, 2008
Catherine
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The sadly beautiful photography and simply written text, with lots of quotations and personal stories, combine into a striking and humbling representation of what a child's life may have been like during the Great Depression. Appropriate for older children (maybe 8) to read with their parents, it's an important reminder that material things are never permanent and we have a responsibility to help others who are suffering.
Sep 10, 2011
Alyssa
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Children of the Great Depression
by Russell Freedman
This book reviews the struggles of middle-class urban youth, migrant farm laborers, all these children were children whose families found themselves struggling to live children had to work just to feed there families there was one kid who was 15 and he and his brother had to go to work in a factorie together.
Oct 25, 2008
Jen
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The photos and histories in this book were well done. A simple, and moving depiction of children in the great depression
Sep 06, 2008
Kari
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Russell Freedman is the best. He manages to give such a rounded view of whatever he's telling us about.
Feb 02, 2012
