Children of the Great Depression

Children of the Great Depression by Russell Freedman

This realistic fiction book describes the life of children growing up during the Great Depression.  It is beautifully illustrated with actual photographs of children and families who lived during this time.  In these photographs one can see the hopes and dreams of these young people.  The book is full of diary entries, letters, and first accounts of children who lived during this time.  This book even features photographs by Dorothea Lange, a famous Great Depression photographer.

I would use this book in my classroom because it gives students a realistic view of a child's lifestyle during the Great Depression.  It helps the reader have a better understanding of what really happened and what life was really like during this time in history.

South Carolina State Standards


Standard 5-2 The student will read and comprehend a variety of informational texts in print and nonprint formats.


5-2.6 Use graphic features (including illustrations, graphs, charts, maps, diagrams, and graphic organizers) as sources of information.

This book is full of illustrations that the students can use for a wax museum project.  Each student would choose a photograph of a child in the book and write a letter from that child to President Roosevelt explaining how they feel.

Websites

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/learning_history/children_depression/depression_children_menu.cfm

http://www.pocanticohills.org/amprogress/children_and_the_great_depression.htm

http://www.kidskonnect.com/subjectindex/16-educational/history/267-great-depression.html