The Industrial Revolution for Kids: The People and Technology That Changed the World, with 21 Activities

(Paperback)

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An NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People ILA Children's and Young Adult's Book Award-Intermediate Nonfiction The Industrial Revolution for Kids introduces a time of monumental change in a "revolutionary" way. Learn about the new technologies and new forms of communication and transportation that impacted American life-through the people who invented them and the people who built, operated, and used them. In addition to wealthy industrialists such as John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie and ingenious inventors such as Eli Whitney and Alexander Graham Bell, you'll learn about everyday workers, activists, and kids. The late 19th and early 20th centuries come to life through the eyes of hardworking Chinese immigrants who built the Transcontinental Railroad; activist Isaac Myers, an African American ship caulker who became a successful businessman and labor union organizer; toiling housewife Hannah Montague, who revolutionized the clothing industry with her popular detachable collars and cuffs; and many others who help tell the human stories of the Industrial Revolution. Twenty-one hands-on activities invite young history buffs to experience life and understand the changing technologies of this important era.

Reviews

"Activities such as 'Tell a Story with Photographs' may just inspire children to learn more about the work of Jacob Riis and Lewis Hine...Presents a huge amount of history in a format easy for browsing." -- Kirkus "The causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution are complex and many, and Mullenbach does a terrific job of streamlining the topic for children...The inclusion of excerpts from primary-source documents (such as letters and diaries written by kids) lends the book immediacy and personality." -- School Library Journal " The Industrial Revolution for Kids is a versatile book that would be useful as a resource for a school report or research project, as a homeschool text for a unit on American History, or as a way for adults to quickly browse and brush up on history. See how history can be made relevant and interesting with this unique, hands-on learning approach." --Wrapped in Foil "Mullenbach does a wonderful job of giving the big picture, while at the same time telling the stories of lesser-known individuals who younger readers will find especially relevant. She pulls no punches, revealing the hard times as well as the good things that came out of the era." --Nonfiction Monday "This topical overview introduces aspects of the American Industrial Revolution through real-life experiences that will resonate with middle-school audiences...Teachers and student researchers will appreciate this engaging supplement to classroom texts." --Booklist Online "The author does not skimp on the horrors and unpleasantness of cities during the onset of industrialization. Still, the emphasis -- in this day and age of technological wonders, fortunes and wizardry -- is mostly on what mechanical science brought to the world 150 years ago." --MetroKids "Sure you have heard of the Rockefellers and the Carnegies (and their famous factories), but what about Hannah Montague or Jacob Riis No Well, now you can read all about the lesser known people who helped the Industrial Revolution in America. This is a very impressive and interesting read for kids and their grown-ups!" --Momma's Bacon " The Industrial Revolution for Kids is not only a great read, but it offers us a reality about the foundation of our nation's workforce history and reminds us what had to take place yesterday in order to enjoy the modern conveniences that make our everyday lives so much easier today." --Smart Books for Smart Kids "This is a wonderful book that can be used to supplement a curriculum on the Industrial Revolution. It is jam-packed with basic historical information and photographsWith so much information this isn't a book to speed through all at once, but rather read, process, and explore one chapter at a time." Flowering Minds "Altogether, complete with resources, notes, and a bibliography, "The Industrial Revolution for Kids" is a fantastic educational text, with wide scope and humanitarian vision laced with history of child and human welfare in the modern world." The Midwest Book Review "To its credit, this book for young readers doesn't gloss over the harsh, human-interest side of factory work and urban life even as it outlines the labor-saving business inventions that proved a huge catalyst to economic growth and consumption during a fascinating period in our history." American History magazine "This title offers an unwavering look at the Industrial Revolution that readers are not likely to find in history textbooks." Library Media Connection

Author Bio

Cheryl Mullenbach is a former history teacher, librarian, and public television project manager and is currently a social studies consultant. She has contributed to Arizona Living Magazine, the Des Moines Register, Iowa Council for the Social Studies Journal, and Iowa Heritage Illustrated, as well as several entries to Women in American Military History: An Encyclopedia. She lives in Panora, Iowa.