Breaker Boys

Starred review from November 1, 2011
Grades 6-9 *Starred Review* The Captured History series poses the question, Can a photograph change the world? The answer, as explicated by these two outstanding volumes, is a resounding yes. Looking at an iconic image through the lens of history, culture, and media, the series gives readers a complete overview of how pictures can change perceptions. The famous photo on the cover of Breaker Boys shows a group of boys, covered with coal dust, after a day in the dirty, dangerous mines. Taken by Progressive Lewis Hine, this photo helped expose the plight of children working dangerous jobs. The book is well stocked with information about such topics as coal mines, the lives of miners, and child labor in these mines as well as in broader society. How society at large changed its mind about child labor is also given due consideration. This series is model of nonfiction. Each volume takes an issue and looks at it creatively. The design is fresh and inviting, the writing is clear, and the back matter (including source notes) is useful and extensive. An all-round winner.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2012
Photographs can often be more powerful than the written word in bringing social change. The work of Lewis Hine to improve child labor laws and Will Counts to show the vulnerability of those trying to integrate schools are prime examples. These well-written narratives are illustrated with numerous captioned photographs. Timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)