Growing Up in the Great Depression 1929 to 1941

by Amy Ruth Allen

Look at life through the eyes of children who lived during different eras of American history... Experience the thrill of landing in the New World for the first time and the terror of dodging bullets during the American Revolution. Journey to the American West in the back of a covered wagon and discover the horrors of the Civil War. From the technological advances of the early twentieth century to the despair of the Great Depression to the sacrifice of World War II, explore each tumultuous time. Our America reveals the true-life adventures of children (many of whom grew up to become presidents or other important national figures), through features such as historical sidebars, quotes from primary resources like diaries and letters, epigraphs, and art authentic to each era. Supports the national curriculum standards Culture; Time, Continuity, and Change; Individual Development and Identity; Individuals, Groups, and Institutions; Power, Authority, and Governance; Global Connections; and Civic Ideas and Practice as outlined by the National Council for the Social Studies.

Genres: Nonfiction

64 pages, Library Binding

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Amy Ruth Allen writes uplifting, wholesome women's fiction set in small towns and featuring a parade of quirky and lovable characters. The heartwarming Finch's Crossing series evokes the special joys of the seasons as the four Hamilton sisters search for love, personal fulfillment, and a renewed connection to the place they call home.

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice collection of stories of real people; good length to share with kids (neither too brief nor too long).

[Emily Townsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non-fiction/Great Depression

This is a non-fiction book about the Depression written for young adults. It talks about how the Depression began, ended, and lots of things that happened in the middle. Because it is written for kids, many of the features deal with how the Depression affected children and youth. Historical and political information are included as well as primary accounts.

I liked this book because it gave interesting facts in interesting ways. The focus of the book is represented in the title: growing up. I like the information about childrens pastimes and education during the time period. The language is clear and may be slightly condescending to older audiences but is fairly easy to understand. The book is a multi-genre format, which is good because it breaks up the text. So many things to look at though also became a distraction for me. It's a good quick read if you're interested in facts about being a kid/teenager during the Depression.

[Katey · Rating 5 out of 5]

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:
This book is a wealth of information on all things about the Great Depression. I gave this book to some of my students to gather background information and they loved it. This book is a substitute for boring textbooks. I would recommend this book because the information in written in a fun and easy format. The writing is age appropriate and engaging.

[Duane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone wanting to learn about the great depression and the effects it had on children back then. Filled with great photographs and a easy-to-understand writing style, this is a great resource for anyone. I really learned a lot reading this book. I thought I knew quite a bit, but after reading this, I really didn't know much at all!

[Jayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of great pictures and accounts of what a child’s life was like during the Great Depression. It explains the life of vagrant children and the past times they enjoyed. I found a list of symbols used by hobos during the time. It could be used for an interactive bulletin board or game about migrating.

[Aimee Fuhrman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent look at the Great Depression for children and tweens. All the major issues of the time period are discussed. The author adds human interest by following the lives of several children growing up during the Depression. Pictures and quotes add to the understanding of the time period.