The Great Depression for Kids: Hardship and Hope in 1930s America, with 21 Activities

Gr 5–8—Mullenbach relates the trials endured by those living through the Great Depression, providing several related activities for readers. The book begins with an intriguing look at the photo The Migrant Mother and the story behind it. Mullenbach continues with a chapter about the 1920s, before delving into the stock market crash and the resulting woes, including the dust bowl, the plight of the migrant workers, and the New Deal programs. The information is solid, and Mullenbach provides facts not usually found elsewhere; for instance, she references Native Americans and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. However, the chapter about the 1920s seems unnecessary, as much of the information is unrelated to the subsequent narrative. A few paragraphs on the stock market crash are the only segue into the meat of the book; the rest of the chapter only serves to extend an already long narrative. While some of the recommended activities might be of interest to a motivated reader, others appear somewhat gratuitous (a paper airplane). Moreover, the stilted prose and dense text will turn away most readers.