From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up—A concise, comprehensive look at poverty and how the U.S. government has grappled with the problem, this title approaches its subject through 4 essays about local, state, federal, and tribal governments; a 45-page chronology of events and concepts from the 1500s to 2008; and 170 alphabetically arranged articles. The latter resources include discussions about, and sometimes the text of, legislation (e.g., the Sheppard-Towner Maternity and Infancy Act of 1921, the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Homestead Act of 1862) and broad topics (e.g., eugenics, full employment, Eleanor Roosevelt, Social Security Act). Articles are easy to read with single-sentence definitions starting each one. There are 45 primary-source documents and extensive sidebars. Sources and Web sites are included in each article. Librarians should consider this set, as its historical perspective is extensive, its writing style is clear, and its material is useful.—
Linda Beck, Indian Valley Public Library, Telford, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Much time and effort have been devoted over the years by governments, private charities, and individuals trying to eradicate poverty or mitigate its effects. This historical encyclopedia chronicles these attempts in the U.S. from English colonization to the present time. Policy initiatives, legislation, important individuals, and organizations are discussed in 170 alphabetically arranged entries, ranging from the specific (Great Depression, Social Security Act) to the general (Criminal justice system and poverty). All entries include cross-references to related entries; most include a source list and a brief list of related Web sites. Written for a general audience, the entries provide basic descriptive and historical information in language that is easy to understand. A strength of the encyclopedia is its incorporation of 45 primary documents into the body of the work, an effective way of introducing sources such as presidential speeches, signing statements, statutes, and government reports. Another strength is thorough coverage of issues related to poverty among Native Americans. Many entries include photographs and sidebars that enhance the reader’s understanding of the topic and the historical and social context. The encyclopedia opens with an alphabetical list of entries. A topical listing would have been a helpful addition. The list of entries is followed by four introductory essays on poverty and local governments, state governments, the federal government, and tribal governments. The 44-page “Chronology of the Government and Policy” summarizes major legislation, events, and milestones. Better indexing would have improved the work; the Eugenics entry discusses sterilization but is not referenced under sterilization in the index. Recommended for college and public libraries. Also available as an e-book. --Janice Lewis
