Tim Stout

What a great book for middle grade students to begin to understand the complex world of the 1930s. The Great Depression era was so much more than just the result of the stock market crash and this book presents the material in a way for students to understand. The author created a game for the two sibling characters to take the reader through the 1930s from the Stock Market Crash to the Dust Bowl to riding the rails to Pearl Harbor. There are comic blocks and pages with historical references show more and details throughout the book to give students more context about what is going on in the story. The author gives more details about a few historical events that he couldn't fit in the story at the end of the book. As a retired teacher, I think this book would be great for students who love history. The comics are presented in way that is accessible and coherent for middle grade students to grasp this decade. There are opportunities to discuss each section of the book as it presents each part of the era. I would have liked more about FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt's contributions to this decade but understand there is only so much that can be included in one book. I think students will like the time travel element where the two siblings travel and grow through the decade. Also, I think the students would like to see more of the symbols the rail riders used as they usually like codes and ciphers. The difficult topics and events were presented realistically but thoughtfully. Look for it October 21, 2025.
#HistoryComicsTheGreatDepression
Thank you First Second Books and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own. show less