Book Review: The Century for Young People
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What Parents Should Know
The writing quality is superior, but the style meanders too
much for some younger readers. It's packed with memorable
photos, though color photography only became prevalent in the
later part of the century. Parents should know that the book
focuses on many of the darker chapters in history, but many of
these events can lead to stimulating conversations with
children. Possible discussion topics: The civil rights
movement, assisted suicide, war.
Common Sense Media Review
This treasure trove of information is distinguished by its
blend of first-hand accounts and objective reporting. It is an
excellent, high-quality reference book that offers a lot to
look at and pays excellent attention to detail.
The photos in this oversized volume are shoehorned between sentences, and the page edges are marked with color bands that correspond to individual chapters. Room should be made for this book in the student's home library.
While the text from its predecessor, The Century, has been adapted here for young people, the writing style has not. The prose is direct and intelligent; it's easy to imagine coauthor Peter Jennings reciting these passages on the nightly news. Younger readers accustomed to bold, clipped phrasing may at first find it hard to grab onto the elegantly formed phrases.
Still, small touches throughout the book will make the people and subjects come alive for young readers, such as a list of tabloid nicknames for Babe Ruth and unvarnished quotes such as this gem from Charles Lindbergh on his fame: "I was so filled up with this hero guff I was ready to shout murder." Interviews based on childhood remembrances, such as the influence of Jackie Robinson on one young baseball player, also appear.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
