If You Lived 100 Years Ago

Describes what life was like in New York City, then the largest city in the United States, during the 1890's.

Readers travel back in time to explore life in New York City 100 years ago, learning how rich and poor people dressed, traveled, dined, and entertained themselves. Full color.

Children's Literature

While the presentation might not be glamorous, the information and style are captivating as McGovern does a superb job of relating a sense of the past to children. A fine historical writer and researcher, McGovern focuses on 1890s New York and uses the details children adore to let them know exactly what it felt like to live in all classes of society at the turn of the century. Written as a series of questions and answers, the book gives a sense of every day life--bathrooms, the latest clothing styles, costs, fast food of the 1890s, slang, and the games and amusements people pursued. 1999, Scholastic, Ages 8 up, $5.99. Reviewer: Susie Wilde