Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building by Deborah Hopkinson, ill. by James Ransome

This picture book tells two stories: one of a young boy and his father living in NYC during the depression; and one of the men that built the Empire State Building. Hopkinson's narrative from the boy's point of view as an on-looker is balanced with Ransome's paintings of the progress. Included in the story are facts about the construction. Hopkinson includes a note at the end and information on her sources. The end papers offer photographs of the construction.

My students enjoyed the book, especially the pictures of the workers eating their lunch on the contruction site, high above the city.

edit Recommended for 2nd-5th grades.