Starred Review ALA Booklist (Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

Starred Review This informative book introduces the Great Depression, explaining the free fall of the American economy following the 1929 stock market crash, as well as its result e widespread poverty, homelessness, and hunger of the 1930s. Favreau gives many examples of how the Depression and the Dust Bowl affected the lives of ordinary people, and covers why President Hoover lost their confidence and what programs President Roosevelt created to spur economic growth. The book also underscores the contributions of others, from Eleanor Roosevelt to social reformer Frances Perkins. One chapter discusses the dire plight of African Americans; often the first workers to be laid off, many were already living in poverty and oppressed by Jim Crow laws. Other sections of the book tell of the deportation of Mexican people and the rise of anti-Semitism during the period. Following a generally chronological path, Favreau includes anecdotes and interesting details within the broader narrative, while using quotes effectively to offer different viewpoints. Well-chosen archival photos and documents appear throughout the book. The lucid text offers a good perspective on significant events, while the extensive back matter will be helpful to students motivated to research the topic further. An enlightening and very readable book on a complex historical period.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Spanning the 1930s, this narrative follows the downturn of the U.S. stock market—which pivoted the country into the Great Depression—and accounts for the leaders (women and men) and historic events that contributed to its crash. In his first book for young readers, Favreau constructs a mostly linear account, told in four parts. "Fall," the first section, sets the stage after the stock market crashed: poverty, hunger, soup lines, evictions, homelessness, and bank runs and closures. "Rise" begins with the entrance of Franklin D. Roosevelt. In an enlightening narration, Favreau does not waste time in swiveling the spotlight to Eleanor Roosevelt, who was FDR's closest confidante. He also takes care to profile some of the era's other notables, including Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins (who launched Social Security), union organizer John L. Lewis, and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune, the director of the Division of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration and leading member of the so-called "Black Cabinet." "Setback" recounts the Dust Bowl, and "Victory," takes the account to the beginning of World War II. Propelling readers through the decade, the book is liberally illustrated with archival material including newspaper clippings and photographs. Throughout, Favreau gives readers incisive, penetrating, at times heartbreaking prose.A dynamic read deserving of a wide audience. (source notes, bibliography, selected primary sources, timeline, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10-16)

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Spanning the 1930s, this narrative follows the downturn of the U.S. stock market—which pivoted the country into the Great Depression—and accounts for the leaders (women and men) and historic events that contributed to its crash. In his first book for young readers, Favreau constructs a mostly linear account, told in four parts. "Fall," the first section, sets the stage after the stock market crashed: poverty, hunger, soup lines, evictions, homelessness, and bank runs and closures. "Rise" begins with the entrance of Franklin D. Roosevelt. In an enlightening narration, Favreau does not waste time in swiveling the spotlight to Eleanor Roosevelt, who was FDR's closest confidante. He also takes care to profile some of the era's other notables, including Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins (who launched Social Security), union organizer John L. Lewis, and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune, the director of the Division of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration and leading member of the so-called "Black Cabinet." "Setback" recounts the Dust Bowl, and "Victory," takes the account to the beginning of World War II. Propelling readers through the decade, the book is liberally illustrated with archival material including newspaper clippings and photographs. Throughout, Favreau gives readers incisive, penetrating, at times heartbreaking prose.A dynamic read deserving of a wide audience. (source notes, bibliography, selected primary sources, timeline, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10-16)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Favreau, in his first book for children, explains Black Tuesday, the 1929 stock market crash, the Great Depression, and the steps the United States government took to try to help its citizens get back on their feet. This detailed yet uncomplicated overview is written in clear, concise language, and Favreau doesn-t shy from some of the more difficult subjects (-After the Crash, white southerners tried to push black people down even further-). He begins by recounting stories of how the stock market crash and subsequent economic depression affected real people-across different socioeconomic levels, ethnicities, genders, and geographical locations-giving readers an understanding of personal hardships and a glimpse into how economics works. He then details the rise of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the part his wife, Eleanor, played in creating jobs, as well as the role of WWII in the U.S. recovery. Making use of photographs, primary-source documents, and firsthand accounts, Favreau brings an important period of history to life. Ages 10-up. Agent: Tanya McKinnon, McKinnon McIntyre. (Apr.)

School Library Journal (Thu Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

Gr 7 Up-In this engaging and comprehensive look at the Great Depression, the text is divided into four sections addressing the crash of the economy, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies, setbacks to progress, and the eventual end of the Depression. Moving beyond the typical analysis of the time period, Favreau carefully crafts an enjoyable narrative that vibrantly depicts individual experiences, including little-known stories within the context of national trends. Not only is it enjoyable to read, it is also a powerful research source. Each chapter is rife with primary sources, such as telegrams, photographs, posters, song lyrics, speech transcripts, and more. (Besides the extensive primary source section, there is other comprehensive back matter.) While President Herbert Hoover often bears the blame for the Federal government's initial response to the financial crisis, the author provides a very balanced portrayal of his presidency. This same balance, however, does not extend as much to Roosevelt. There is a section on societal setbacks, but there is no opposing perspective provided in response to Roosevelt's expansion of executive power, his constitutional challenges, or his attempt to pack the courts. Still, this impressive resource would be valuable, when used in tandem with other resources, for students conducting research. VERDICT An insightful addition to libraries and recommended even for those with a robust collection on the topic. Paige Rowse, Needham High School, MA