Chicago History for Kids: Triumphs and Tragedies of the Windy City Includes 21 Activities (For Kids series)
Grade 4–9—This attractive overview begins with geography and moves to the colorful stories that characterize the city. Hurd tapped local experts and collections, using primary and secondary sources and the responses of young readers to craft this engaging resource. Beginning with the Ice Age, a time line opens each chapter. Projects range from making a miniature glacier or a Ferris wheel to planning a fire-escape route or tracing one's family history. Walking tours offer maps, directions, and such itineraries as "Chicago's Oldest Landmarks" or "Modern Skyscrapers." The success of the 21 projects is uneven, but immensely readable details broaden the events described, such as why the Black Sox were motivated to throw the 1919 World Series. Excellent-quality photos, maps, illustrations, or boxed facts appear on every page. Skimmers can read parts, focus on projects, or pick up information from the short insets that offer relevant details. The bibliography reads like a resource list for Chicago collections with asterisks to distinguish titles for younger readers. Suggested places to visit, helpful Web sites, and a thorough index are also appended. An all-in-one resource, this is a good starting point for project ideas, history, and general information.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public LibraryCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.