Depression Era Non-Fiction for Young People
Compiled by Carol Inskeep, The Urbana Free Library
[email protected]
Books of General Interest
796.48 / BAC
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Nazi Olympics: Berlin, 1936 by Susan D. Bachrach. 2000. 128 p. (6 – High School)
Recounts the story of the Olympics held in Berlin in 1936, and how the Nazis attempted to turn
the games into a propaganda tool for their cause.
*332.64 / BLU
Six Days in October: The Stock Market Crash of 1929 by Karen Blumenthal. 2002. 156 p.
th
(6 grade and up)
A comprehensive review of the events, personalities, and mistakes behind the Stock Market
Crash of 1929, featuring photographs, newspaper articles, and cartoons of the day.
j 973.917 / BRO
Welcome to Kit’s World 1934: Growing Up During America’s Great Depression. 2002. 58
rd
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p. (3 – 6 grade)
An American Girls Collection book, featuring an attractive layout of photos, vintage postcards,
and text focusing on daily life during the Depression.
J 974.71 / MAN
th
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Empire State Building by Elizabeth Mann. 2003. 46 p. (4 – 8 grade)
Discusses the history, design, and construction of New York City's Empire State Building. See
also the picture book, Joe and the Skyscraper: The Empire State Building in New York City
by Dietrich Neumann.
973.91 / MCE
The Depression and New Deal: A History in Documents by Robert McElvaine. 2000. 191 p.
A collection of primary sources documenting American life during the longest and deepest
economic collapse in American history.
973.917 / BRO
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? America from the Wall Street Crash to Pearl Harbor; An
Illustrated Documentary by Susan Winslow. 1976. 160 p.
Biographies
J 782.1 / BIO / Anderson
The Voice that Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights
by Russell Freedman. 2004. 114 p.
In the mid-1930s, Marian Anderson was a famed vocalist who had been applauded by European
royalty and welcomed at the White House. But, because of her race, she was denied the right to
sing at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. This is the story of her resulting involvement in the
civil rights movement of the time. Another superlative book by Freedman.
nd
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J 635 / AND (2 – 5 grade)
Pa’s Harvest: A True Story told by Ephrem Carrier to Jan Andrews. 2000. 39 p.
Set during the Depression, this is the true story of a family that reaches a point of near total loss
and despair. Set in Canada, this story is accompanied by simple, but lovely drawings.
J 770 / BIO / Bourke-White
Margaret Bourke-White: Her Pictures Were Her Life by Susan Goldman Rubin. 1999. 96 p.
J 792.8 / BIO / Graham
Martha Graham: A Dancer’s Life by Russell Freedman. 1998. 175 p.
A photo-biography of the American dancer, teacher, and choreographer who was born in
Pittsburgh in 1895 and who became a leading figure in the world of modern dance.
J 782.42 / BIO / Guthrie
This Land Was Made for You and Me: The Life and Songs of Woody Guthrie by Elizabeth
Partridge. 2002. 217 p.
A biography of Woody Guthrie, a singer who wrote over 3,000 folk songs and ballads as he
traveled around the United States, including "This Land is Your Land" and "So Long It's Been
Good to Know Yuh." See also Woody Guthrie: America’s Folksinger by Karen Mueller
Coombs, and the picture book, Woody Guthrie: Poet of the People by Bonnie Christensen.
J 770 / BIO / Lange
Restless Spirit: The Life and Work of Dorothea Lange by Elizabeth Partridge. 1998. 122 p.
A biography of Dorothea Lange, whose photographs of migrant workers, Japanese American
internees, and rural poverty helped bring about important social reforms.
J 629.13 / BIO / Lindbergh
An American Hero: The True Story of Charles A. Lindbergh by Barry Denenberg. 1996. 255
th
p. (6 grade and up)
Thorough and compelling biography of the controversial aviator. Very interesting chapters on the
kidnapping of Lindbergh’s son and the public spectacle of the trial, as well as Lindbergh’s close
association with the Nazis.
FIRST PERSON ACCOUNTS
*338.542 / GRE
The Great Depression edited by Dennis Nishi. 2001. 234 p.
Greenhaven Press’s History Firsthand series explores major events in world history through
eyewitness accounts with introductory material.
*973.976 / HYNES
The Growing Seasons: An American Boyhood Before the War by Samuel Hynes. 2003.
291 p.
Looking back with a clear-eyed, unsentimental gaze, Samuel Hynes describes his Midwestern
boyhood during the lean times of the Great Depression: his father’s wandering search for work; a
long, hot summer on a farm; rough and tumble games in city alleys; the temptations of sex,
stealing, and drinking; the wonder of falling in love for the first time. Eloquent and humorous.
309.173 / TER
Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression by Studs Terkel. 1970. 462 p.
A classic by the master of oral history.
*303.484 / WOM
Women of Valor: The Struggle Against the Great Depression as Told in Their Own Life
Stories edited with commentary by Bernard Sternsher and Judith Sealander. 1990. 312 p.
(High School)
Striking collection of autobiographical selections from 16 women reformers and activists,
including Eleanor Roosevelt, Dorothy Day, and Frances Perkins.
SERIES BOOKS
Lerner’s People’s History Series – Brief histories (under 100 pages) which are of high
interest and use excellent archival photos, good documentation, and a strong multicultural
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approach. This series may be used with readers from 5 grade up, and is an excellent choice for
older readers who are below grade reading level.
J 700.973 / DAM
Headin’ for Better Times: The Arts of the Great Depression by Duane Damon. 2002. 96 p.
J 394.1 / WHI
What’s Cooking? The History of American Food by Sylvia Whitman. 2001. 88 p.
th
20 Century Perspectives explores momentous events and eras in modern history,
using primary source materials, such as media reports and personal stories, diaries, and letters.
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Each volume is short and pages are rich with photos and graphics. (4 grade and up)
*J 973.916 / DOW
The Great Depression by David Downing. 2001. 48 p.
A History of Us by Joy Hakim – Chronological, eleven-volume set of American history
texts which begins in the Ice Age and continues to contemporary times. The books are full of
photos, political cartoons, and period artwork. They also included useful sidebars with important
vocabulary, quotes, and brief anecdotes. The books raise provocative issues for discussion and
include source material and timelines.
J 973.91 / HAK
War, Peace, and All That Jazz: 1918-1945 (Book 9) by Joy Hakim. 1999. 206 p.
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20 Century Art by Jackie Gaff - This series introduces children to art movements
spanning the past 100 years. Each volume covers a twenty year time period, discusses different
themes and approaches in art of the period. Beautiful art, timelines, glossary, bibliography, and
recommended websites included.
J 709.4 / GAF
1920 – 40: Realism and Surrealism (From Realism and Regionalism to Surrealism and
Degenerate Art). 2001. 32 p.
Everyday Life in America Series - This series addresses daily life for Americans at
different periods, covering topics ranging from politics and economics to amusement. (High
School)
973.91 / GRE
The Uncertainty of Everyday Life: 1915 – 1945 by Harvey Green. 1992. 262 p.
This volume covers the Great Depression, World War I and World War II. During these three
decades, society witnessed the Jazz Age and the stock market crash, followed by a boost in
advertising and consumerism. Americans were buying cars, radios and appliances, and many
started enjoying running water, indoor plumbing and central heating. From work to play, from
growing up to growing old, from health to home life, this highly readable account will give you
insights into life during the early 20th century.
The Eyewitness History Series – “…each chapter begins with a brief summary of the
‘Historical Context’ followed by a detailed ‘Chronicle of Events.’ However, the bulk of each
chapter consists of a large selection of quotations from eyewitness accounts of the events of the
time. These have been selected to give the reader the widest range of views possible.” The
appendix includes important documents of the period. Perhaps the most authoritative and
comprehensive source of its kind. For use with high schoolers.
Q 973.91 / BUR
The Great Depression: An Eyewitness History by David F. Burg. 1996. 390 p.
Compiles a history of the Great Depression, including the events that led up to it and the New
Deal that followed, with chronologies, personal narratives, and documents.
Opposing Viewpoints American History Series – This series follows the familiar
Opposing Viewpoints format of exploring controversial issues in a pro/con format: “The American
History Series is dedicated to the proposition that American history is more complicated, more
fascinating, and more troubling than most people ever dared to imagine. Unlike other American
history anthologies, primary sources placed in a pro/con format show readers how rarely
Americans have reached a consensus on any issue.”
973.917 / GRE
The Great Depression: Opposing Viewpoints. 1994. 308 p.
Excellent pieces on controversial issues that remain timely, including, social security, self-help
programs, and workers’ issues.
See also Opposing Viewpoints Digests, also published by Greenhaven – This series is
designed complement the popular and higher-level Opposing Viewpoints Series. Each book is
written by a single author who uses dozens of primary and secondary source quotations to place
each viewpoint in the context of its most prominent supporters and detractors.
*973.917 / NAR
The Great Depression by Don Nardo. 1998. 128 p.
DOCUMENTARY & COMPANION BOOK
973.916 / UYS
Riding the Rails: Teenagers on the Move During the Great Depression. 1999. 302 p.
One of the vital, neglected sagas of America in the 1930s, the story of the boxcar boys and girls
has seldom been told. First-hand accounts of individuals who endured those trying times are
even more scarce. This book draws primarily on letters and oral histories of some of the three
thousand men and women who hopped freight trains, their incredible journey illustrated with rare
archival photos. The award-winning American Experience documentary is also available: Riding
the Rails - VCV/ 385.0973 / RID / 1418 (72 minutes)
973.917 / WAT
The Great Depression: America in the 1930s by T. H. Watkins. 1993. 375 p.
Award- winning historian Watkins provides a lively political, economic, and cultural account of this
age of hardship and hope. This volume is a companion to the PBS documentary series The
Great Depression and The Great Depression: American Music in the 30s CD featuring Louis
Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Billie Holiday. (Both the video and CD are available through the
Lincoln Trail Libraries system.)