The Industrial Revolution for Kids - (For Kids) by Cheryl Mullenbach (Paperback)

About the Book

"THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION FOR KIDS introduces young readers to the Industrial Revolution not only through the usual people, places, and inventions of the time--the incredibly wealthy Rockefellers and Carnegies, dirty and dangerous factories, and new forms of transportation and communication--but also through the eyes of everyday workers, kids, sports figures, and social activists whose names never appear in history books"--

Book Synopsis

An NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People

ILA Children's and Young Adult's Book Award--Intermediate Nonfiction

2014 VOYA Non-Fiction Honor List

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.

Review Quotes

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"This educational activity book was a great introduction to a period of great change that stays solidly kid-focused." --Children's Atheneum

"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 photographs...With 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

"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 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

"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

About the Author

Cheryl Mullenbach is a former history teacher, librarian, public television project manager, and social studies consultant. She is the author of Double Victory: How African American Women Broke Race and Gender Barriers to Help Win World War II and has contributed to Arizona Living Magazine, the Des Moines Register, Iowa Council for the Social Studies Journal, Iowa Heritage Illustrated, and An Encyclopedia of American Women at War. She lives in Panora, Iowa.