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The Home Fronts in World War I

This reference geared for upper elementary grades illustrates not the battles and campaigns of WWI but what life was like for those not engaged in battle. The chapters are short; each chapter answers a question, such as “Did Civilians Face Attacks?” or “What Was Life Like for Children?” Photographs and sidebars cover most of the pages; the book is more about sound bites than expansive information.  One of the recurring sidebars is “In Their Own Words,” excerpts from primary sources; another is short biographical sketches of important individuals. Information on propaganda and posters were included. I was most surprised by the fact the home fronts of many countries, not just the U.S., were covered. The book concludes with a timeline, glossary and list of resources for more information. This could be a useful introduction to this aspect of WWI for elementary students.