This blend of authoritative historic overview and human interest stories recounts one of the most important eras in American history. This educational activity book introduces young readers to the Industrial Revolution through the people, places, and inventions of the time, from the incredibly wealthy Rockefellers and Carnegies and the dingy and dangerous factories of the day to the creation of new forms of transportation and communication. By recounting this fascinating period in American history through the eyes of everyday workers, kids, sports figures, and social activists whose names never appeared in history books -- including Hannah Montague, who revolutionised the clothing industry with her highly popular detachable collars and cuffs and Clementine Lamadrid, who either helped save starving New Yorkers or scammed the public into contributing to her one-cent coffee stands -- this book helps tell the human stories of the Industrial Revolution.Twenty-one engaging and fun cross-curricular activities bring the times and technologies to life and allow for readers to make an assembly line sandwich, analyse the interchangeable parts of a common household fixture, weave a placemat, tell a story through photographs, and much more. Additional resources featured include books to read, places to visit, and websites to explore.

2016 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People List Have you ever wondered what it was like to live during the Great Depression? Perhaps you think of the stock market crash of 1929, unemployed workers standing in breadlines, and dust storms swirling on the Great Plains. But the 1930s were also a time when neighbors helped neighbors, librarians delivered books on horseback, and an army of young men rebuilt the nation’s forests, roads, and parks. TheGreat Depression for Kids provides a balanced and realistic picture of an era rife with suffering but also deep-rooted with hope and generosity. Beginning with a full chapter on the 1920s, the book provides important background knowledge to help set the stage for an in-depth look at the decline of the economy and attempts at recovery over the next decade. Twenty-one hands-on activities invite young history buffs to understand and experience this important era in American history. Kids can recreate Depression glassware; simulate a windstorm; learn how to research, buy, and sell stocks; design a paper block quilt; play “round ball�; and much more. 

This collection celebrates the contributions of our foremothers-mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and neighbors-who devoted their lives to farming pursuits. Some embraced their roles, others detested the life of a farm woman; but most would agree their contributions were minimized or overlooked. And the common practice of referring to them as "farmer's wife" or "farm helper" or "farmerette" didn't quite do justice to their work. Men and women who spent their lives living and working on a family farm or ranch will relate to the emotions and exploits experienced by the women profiled. Town dwellers and urbanites two or three generations removed from the farm or their rural communities and growing up hearing grandparents' and great-grandparents' stories about life on the farm will appreciate these women who may or may not resemble in any way their foremothers. City slickers who never spent a day on a farm, nor thought the life of a farmer was in any way appealing will meet a community of spunky, brazen, plucky, hardworking gals who donned trousers every day, scraped cow dung from their boots every night, enjoyed a few hours of deep sleep afforded by hours in the fresh country air, only to rise early the next day and start all over again.

As pervasive as the stagecoach industry was in America for at least 200 years, doesn't it make sense that at least a few women were somehow involved? Well, guess what, there were far more than a few. Women drove stagecoaches, groomed and shod the stage horses, hoisted mail bags and boxes of gold bullion, negotiated contracts, bought and managed stage lines, defended (with their six-shooters) their cargo from bandits, and robbed stages in addition to their traditional roles as housekeepers, cooks, and laundresses, and oh yes, mothers to multiple children. And usually women's contributions to stagecoach history were ignored. Stagecoach Women offers a non-academic, but expansive survey of stagecoach history in the United States enriched by the personal stories of women who contributed to the evolution and success of a captivating facet of American history.

While it's mindboggling to fathom anyone labeling a war "splendid," a high-ranking American official used that term to describe the Spanish-American War in 1898. If any slivers of splendor existed in the grim brutalities of war, they were frequently on display in the remarkable actions of brave women who nursed their fallen warriors, reported conditions on the battlefields, fought on behalf of fervently held causes, and protested questionable actions of their governments. Today most Americans are aware of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. Even casual historians recall the chant "Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!" The role of horses and mules in the war have sparked attention. And the exploits of several dogs have been documented. However, in the quest for shining examples of splendor, high motives, and magnificent intelligence and spirit during the Spanish-American War, the accomplishments of some extraordinary individuals have been overlooked and deserve recognition. Women of the Spanish-American War brings to light their stories of relentless courage and selflessness.