The Empire State Building is a well known landmark in New York. It is frequently used in movies where the hero and heroine either meet or get together. Sleepless in Seattle or An Affair to Remember, anyone? Do you know why the Empire State Building was built in the first place? I don't and that why I picked up Deborah Hopkinson's historical fiction, picture book called Sky Boys.


Description: In 1931, a boy and his father watch as the world's tallest building, the Empire State Building, is constructed near their Manhattan home.


Review: I really liked Sky Boys from the moment I opened the book up. The front and back panels of the book are actual photographs of men working on the Empire State Building. The photographs grabbed my attention right away and I couldn't wait to start the book. The story's setting is the Great Depression and is told from the point of view of a 10 year old boy. The boy learns about how the building is built. The illustrations compliment the lyrical and information packed words quite well. Though the worker's experience of creating the Empire State Building isn't mentioned, you can just feel how the building soon becomes a symbol of hope during the darkest days of U.S. History. This would make a great read aloud for 1st and 2nd graders.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Squeaky clean.

Curriculum Connection: Social Studies and English (Poetry)

If you like this book try: Skyscraper by Susan Goodman or Sky Dancer by Connie Ann Kirk