World War II Home Front

Children's Literature

World War II remains the most devastating and widespread conflict in history. However, while most attention has been directed toward chronicling the efforts of soldiers, sailors, marines, and other troops across the various fronts of that destructive war, it is important to realize that the vast majority of people in the United States remained at home during the entire conflict. The homefront in America during World War II was a world sharply altered by the coming of war. Women who had been destined to remain home and raise their families found themselves working in factories. Rationing changed the eating and living habits of the broad public. The fear of loss daunted the days and nights of family members whose loved ones were overseas. All in all, life on the homefront during the war years permanently changed the way people lived, thought, and behaved. In this book in the "Witness to History" series Barr concisely addresses the sweeping subject of life on the homefront during the second World War. Barr addresses this huge topic by thematically presenting small bits and pieces of information and then pairing his work with a primary source document. Many of these primary source selections are letters written by Americans of that period. This combined approach to history works and, as a result, World War II on the Homefront becomes a moving and informative little book. 2004, Heinemann Library, Ages 10 to 14.
—Greg M. Romaneck

School Library Journal

Gr 6-8-Both books introduce the events covered with an explanation of primary-source material and its importance in studying history. In Pearl Harbor, Barr presents clear and easy-to-read background accounts of the motives and views of the leaders of the U.S., Japan, and Germany prior to the attack. Photographs accompanied by eyewitness accounts help readers to understand its intensity and the resulting U.S. declaration of war on Japan and Germany. In the concluding pages, the author invites readers to consider what has been learned from Pearl Harbor. The second title covers America's efforts to mobilize for war by inviting readers to think about what it is like to be involved in civil defense, volunteer for military service, buy war bonds, and use ration coupons; photos and first-person accounts are included. The segregation of and discrimination against African Americans, Japanese Americans, and women are discussed along with the change in the roles of women and families as a result of the war. Primary accounts include President Truman's defense of the use of the atomic bomb as well as Admiral Leahy's objections. Both texts are good purchases for social science and historical research and as a basis for discussion of the many issues raised.-Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.