The Industrial Revolution for Kids: The People and Technology that Changed the World

Gr 4–6—The causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution are complex and many, and Mullenbach does a terrific job of streamlining the topic for children. She begins with a brief definition of the Industrial Revolution and then, over the course of seven well-organized chapters, analyzes the changes in manufacturing, transportation, and communication. The inclusion of excerpts from primary-source documents (such as letters and diaries written by kids) lends the book immediacy and personality. As a result, students of today gain perspective on the impact of the Industrial Revolution on everyday people: the wild disparity of lifestyle between the rich and poor, the way new technologies made life easier for some and harder on others, and so on. The writing style is engaging, and the archival photographs (many of which depict children) and ephemera are well curated. The usefulness and/or feasibility of the activities scattered throughout is questionable (making gruel; creating an early 1900s diary using a laundry list of materials that includes a kitchen blender, a hair dryer, an iron and ironing board, and a window screen). What shines through is the author's ability to express through words and images the breakneck pace of change and the myriad people, places, and events that contributed to it.—Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Libraries, NC