A Golden Age: The Golden Age of Radio (Smithsonian Odyssey) - Softcover

Wickham, Martha

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1568993722 ISBN 13: 9781568993720

Publisher: Soundprints, 2011

Synopsis

In this exciting story Emma travels back in time to 1945 and learns what life was like for her family during the radio days of World War II. There is no television or stereo. Instead everyone is gathered around a radio that is announcing news about the war. While educational and interesting, this book is also a fun read!
Book Features:
- Large, colorful illustrations on every page
- An interesting story with historical facts
- 32 pages, including glossary
- Appropriate for Reading Level: Grades 2-4
- Appropriate for Interest Level: 6-12 years
- Paperback dimensions: 8 x 10 inches

About this title

About the Author

Martha Wickham was born and raised in Connecticut. Educated at Cornell University, she now works in New York City as an editor at a children's book publishing house. She is the author of several books for children and lived in Queens, New York.

From School Library Journal

Gr 2-5--While on a field trip to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, a young African-American girl, Emma, finds the old radios in the Information Age exhibit vaguely familiar. One looks just like the radio with the cracked knob that doesn't work anymore that her grandmother keeps in her living room. Emma's friends, an interracial group, continue to another exhibit as she sits down to watch old TV clips. The music on her walkman changes as she "falls asleep." She "awakens" to Big Band music coming from an old fashioned radio. A family is clustered around the radio--an elderly man, a couple about her parents' age, and a girl a few years younger than herself. As she is spoken to, she realizes she is her grandmother in May 1945. The radio program is interrupted with the announcement that the Nazis are ready for a full surrender. The family reminisces about other bulletins (the attack on Pearl Harbor, Lindbergh's flight) as well as other favorite radio programs from Roosevelt's Fireside Chats to Jack Benny to dramatic shows like The Shadow. Emma longs to tell her concerned family that her Great Uncle Stewart did come home safely from the war. By the power of imagination, the tape transports Emma and young listeners back in time to witness first hand what life was like in days gone by. Students will realize how important the radio was in informing people about news events as well as for entertainment. The sound effects add much to the tape's authenticity. Actual radio announcements, excerpts from programs, and music from the 1940's are fascinating. The relationship of the story characters to the present generation may confuse the youngest listeners. The tape, which faithfully follows the story line of Martha Wickham's book, will be enjoyed by youngsters interested in the past and/or radio. The tape will be most useful on an individual basis.-Mary Ellen Raup, North Colonie Central Schools, Newtonville, NY

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Soundprints
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1568993722
• ISBN 13: 9781568993720
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Brown Dan