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.

El Lector by William Durbin

El Lector is an historical novel set in the hispanic community of Ybor City in Tampa, FL in 1931. The story revolves around a family steeped in cigar rolling business that was a crucial part of Tampa's economy. Central to the story, and the culture, is The Lector, a man whose job it was to read to the cigar rollers all day as they worked. Bella, the teen-aged granddaughter of the current Lector, is coming of age in a tumultuous era. The advent of the radio seems to pose a threat to her family and the culture of the Lector, while labor issues are wreaking havoc in the community, as well.
Durbin does an excellent job of painting a picture of the hispanic immigrant community in Depression Era Tampa, as well as tell an engaging story of family, culture, and the need and ability to change.

Recommended grade levels: 4th-8th.