Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Home Front in World War II [Paperback]

Penny Colman (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Now in paperback--the award-winning account of how 18 million women, many of whom had never before held a job, entered the work force in 1942-45 to help the United States fight World War II. Their unprecedented participation would change the course of history for women, and America, forever.

An ALA Best Book for Young Adult

An ALA Notable Book

A Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Book

An IRA Teachers' Choice

A Junior Library Guild Selection

An NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Award Winner for Outstanding Nonfiction  

A New York Public Library Best Book for the Teenager

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year  

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This WWII history of the over 18 million women serving in the labor force includes first-hand accounts, propaganda posters and numerous period photographs. "The author explain[s] the events surrounding the war and the economic conditions that temporarily produced a female-dominated work force," said PW. Ages 10-up. (Feb.).-- the events surrounding the war and the economic conditions that temporarily produced a female-dominated work force," said PW. Ages 10-up. (Feb.)r
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9?Colman chronicles the drive to get women to enter wartime industries, providing insight into the federal government's propaganda campaign and incentives. She also supplies the facts and figures: many more women than one might suppose had full-time employment before the war, and many continued to work after it, sometimes in positions that were considerably less important and less lucrative. The author also discusses the sexual harassment and racial discrimination women experienced while doing their patriotic duty. The compromises they had to make in order to manage child care and to prove to men on the job that they were their equals are frequently ignored in other historical treatments of the Rosie-the-riveter phenomenon. From Colman's point of view, the experiences of stateside workers led the way to some of the more liberal reforms later in the century, especially for women and minorities. The abundant black-and-white photographs included are a real treat. An excellent addition.?Ruth K. MacDonald, Bay Path College, Longmeadow, MA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers (February 10, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517885670
• ISBN-13: 978-0517885673
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.3 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #320,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Penny Colman writes about illustrious and fascinating women and a wide range of significant and intriguing topics in her award-winning books for all ages. Born in Denver, Colorado, in 1944, she grew up in North Warren, Pennsylvania, on the grounds of a state mental hospital, where her father was a psychiatrist. In 1960, she joined a group and rode her bicycle (plus took a few train rides) across the U.S. In 1964 she dropped out of college, worked in a frozen food factory in Sweden and hitchhiked throughout Europe, including to Turkey and Greece. Between 1965-1970, she graduated from college and graduate school, got married, and had three very close-in-age children. In 1987, as her children were graduating from high school, Penny Colman embarked on a freelance writing career and has been going full steam ever since.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding, June 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Home Front in World War II (Paperback)

Colman combines masterful storytelling with criticalcutting-edge insight to create an imposing study of a crucial periodin U.S. history. Rosie the Riveter reveals the ways in which government and industry manipulated gender roles to serve their own interests both before and after the war. Colman's Rosie the Riveter is history at its best- engaging narrative, illuminating details, and fabulous photographs (including a picture of Marilyn Monroe as a war worker).

5.0 out of 5 stars Babes in Warland, September 23, 2010

By 

Jean E. Pouliot (Newburyport, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Home Front in World War II (Paperback)

A great introduction to the contributions of women to World War II, the reluctance of some employers to accept them and the government's propaganda efforts to "temporarily) break open social taboos against women working outside the home. Written at about a high-school level, the books is nonetheless informative and interesting. Lots of photos from the period, including many of handicapped, "older" and black women who did their part and more on radio, on farms, in news rooms and in factories.

The book is stocked by the bookstore at the Women in Military Service to America Memorial in Washington DC, a tacit approval of its value.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words..., August 31, 2006

By 

Judith K. Parker "weeshes" (Vancouver, BC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Home Front in World War II (Paperback)

...so this book is worth several volumes. During World War II, millions of American women joined the work force to replace men who had gone into the armed services and to expand war production. After the war, these women were expected to return to traditional female roles. Through anecdotes and statistics and priceless photographs, Penny Colman illuminates the wartime experiences of girls and women and suggests the toll that being kicked to the curb... I mean... returned to the home after the war took on many of them.