Turn of the Century: Eleven Centuries of Children and Change

Turn of the Century: Eleven Centuries of Children and Change by Ellen Jackson, illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis

This book is a great addition to any history curriculum!

Travel back in time to meet eleven children, each from the turn of a different century. Each century of the second millenium is brought vividly to life by a child of the period. Intriguing facts complement their stories, and richly detailed illustrations serve up a visual feast that holds a few surprises for the careful observer.

Book Details:

• Number of Pages: 32
• Book Size: 8-1/4" x 12-1/2"
• Book Type: Paperback
• Recommended Ages: 8 and up
• ISBN 10: 0881063703
• ISBN 13: 978-0881063707

Awards:

• Booklist Editor's Choice (1998)
• Instructor Magazine List of 71 Top Books fo the Century (2001)
• Time for Kids Recommended Reading List (1999)
• Pick of the Lists (1998)

"An ambitious fact book about children from the past, present, and near future highlights millennium years. Jackson (The Book of Slime,1997,etc.) explains that the next millennium will actually begin with the year 2001, and provides information on marking the new year, historically. She draws on many sources to present facts on 11 children living in either England or America, beginning with a peasant boy in the year 1000. "I own only the clothes on my back, and they once belonged to my grandfather," the ten-year-old boy states in a short monologue. A list of facts that identify the era follows in double-page spreads, one devoted to each child. There is Eleanor, a child of the upper classes, betrothed at age seven and living in a nunnery in 1100. Alice, ten, is a chambermaid in 1400; her toys are tops, soap bubbles, shells, and stones. An eight-year-old in Pennsylvania describes ice cream in 1900 and a boy in California rings in the year 2000 while making microwave popcorn and phoning his sister in Australia. While only two pages illustrate each century, Ellis includes countless revealing, domestic details that extend the text, and make vivid these children's lives. An astute and provocative book for browsing, or for tying into assignments on the approaching millennium." — Kirkus Starred Review

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This book is an excellent resource to help children understand what life was like in the past. Children love the illustrations and enjoy reading the stories about long-ago.