The Century That Was: Reflections on the Last One Hundred Years

by James Cross Giblin (Editor)

Provides middle readers with an insightful review of the great changes that were made, such as immigration and civil rights, through a collection of works from diverse well-known authors, such as Albert Marrin and Jim Murphy.

Hardcover

First published May 1, 2000

About the author

James Cross Giblin was an American children's author and editor, known for his award-winning works. He won the Golden Kite Award and the Sibert Medal for his contributions to children's literature. Giblin was born in Cleveland and raised in Painesville, Ohio. He graduated from Western Reserve University and earned a master's in playwriting from Columbia University. After a brief acting career, he entered publishing, founding Clarion Books, a children's imprint later acquired by Houghton Mifflin. At Clarion, he edited works by notable authors like Eileen Christelow and Mary Downing Hahn. Giblin’s works include The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler and Good Brother, Bad Brother.

Reviews

[pati · Rating 3 out of 5]

From Publishers Weekly
Giblin (The Mystery of the Mammoth Bones) assembles an impressive collection of children's authors to put into context many of the major accomplishments, setbacks and changes that have occurred over the 20th century. The 11 essays show tremendous range in voice and scope. Walter Dean Myers's essay on the civil rights movement, Penny Colman's piece on emerging roles and rights for women, and Laurence Pringle's discussion of environmental conservation spotlight strong leaders within a larger historical overview and leave readers with a call to action. Katherine Paterson, on the other hand, matches her approach to her subject in a highly personal and beautifully crafted essay on the Protestant faith she and her missionary father shared, and the many developments that impacted the religion through the course of the century. Jim Murphy and Lois Lowry offer lighter fare: Murphy takes an entertaining look at the evolution of cars and planes, while Lowry reflects on the way the women in her family reinvented themselves through clothing and style over the generations. The lasting effects of WWI in "setting the stage for murderous tyrannies" throughout the world and the paranoia it bred at home comes through in Albert Marrin's (Sitting Bull, reviewed below) chilling essay. There is also criticism of where we're going in Bruce Brooks's impassioned look at the professionalization of children in sports. What unites these perspectives are a sharp analysis of history, fine writing and, for the most part, an optimistic sense of progress to lead us into the next 100 years. Ages 10-up

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read--great for picking up and putting down at my leisure. Some of the essays were truly phenomenal and others were just so-so. I guess that's to be expected in this sort of compilation.