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Fighting for the Forest: How FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps Helped Save America
In an inspiring middle grade nonfiction work, P. O’Connell Pearson tells the story of the Civilian Conservation Corps—one of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal projects that helped save a generation of Americans.
When Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in March 1933, the United States was on the brink of economic collapse and environmental disaster. Thirty-four days later, the first of over three million impoverished young men were building parks and reclaiming the nation’s forests and farmlands. The Civilian Conservation Corps—FDR’s favorite program and “miracle of inter-agency cooperation”—resulted in the building and/or improvement of hundreds of state and national parks, the restoration of nearly 120 million acre of land, and the planting of some three billion trees—more than half of all the trees ever planted in the United States.
Fighting for the Forest tells the story of the Civilian Conservation Corp through a close look at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (the CCC’s first project) and through the personal stories and work of young men around the nation who came of age and changed their country for the better working in Roosevelt’s Tree Army.
When Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in March 1933, the United States was on the brink of economic collapse and environmental disaster. Thirty-four days later, the first of over three million impoverished young men were building parks and reclaiming the nation’s forests and farmlands. The Civilian Conservation Corps—FDR’s favorite program and “miracle of inter-agency cooperation”—resulted in the building and/or improvement of hundreds of state and national parks, the restoration of nearly 120 million acre of land, and the planting of some three billion trees—more than half of all the trees ever planted in the United States.
Fighting for the Forest tells the story of the Civilian Conservation Corp through a close look at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (the CCC’s first project) and through the personal stories and work of young men around the nation who came of age and changed their country for the better working in Roosevelt’s Tree Army.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published October 8, 2019
15 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
P. O’Connell Pearson
5 books14 followersP. O'Connell Pearson spent many happy years teaching history and now writes about history for ages ten and up. She looks for stories in American history that may not be well-known, and she especially likes stories that have meaning for today. She's written about women who broke barriers to serve their country in wartime, a government at its best facing economic and environmental disaster, and people who stepped up to defend the Constitution when a president violated his oath and threatened democracy.
Her debut nonfiction Fly Girls: The Daring American Women Pilots Who Helped Win WWII won the 2020 Grand Canyon Readers Award for Best Tween Nonfiction. Fighting for the Forest: How FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps Helped Save America was a finalist for the New York Historical Society Children's History Book prize. And Conspiracy: Nixon, Watergate, and Democracy's Defenders released in October, 2020.
When she is not writing or researching, Pearson can often be found telling the stories of history as a volunteer with the National Park Service in Washington, DC.
Her debut nonfiction Fly Girls: The Daring American Women Pilots Who Helped Win WWII won the 2020 Grand Canyon Readers Award for Best Tween Nonfiction. Fighting for the Forest: How FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps Helped Save America was a finalist for the New York Historical Society Children's History Book prize. And Conspiracy: Nixon, Watergate, and Democracy's Defenders released in October, 2020.
When she is not writing or researching, Pearson can often be found telling the stories of history as a volunteer with the National Park Service in Washington, DC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 16, 2019
This, a GENERAL history of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) - one of FDR's New Deal programs that did a lot of good for this country, was an okay read, but I was hoping for more information on specific projects that were completed and where some of these are still located.
October 14, 2019
I chose to read Fighting for the Forest because of my connection to the CCC. My history classes in high school and college named the CCC as one of the “alphabet programs” in the New Deal, but I wanted to read a bit more about it. I also was thinking about my own children and when they get to the age where they could learn a bit about their great-grandfather. I believe this is the perfect text to give a young person and one day my children wanting to learn about the Corp… Isn’t that the highest praise a person can give to a book?
Pearson is a very organized writer. She starts by defining the time period of The Depression and the major players, most notably Roosevelt and his cabinet. Then the boots hit the ground and she branches off to focus on the young men who spent their time building Shenandoah National Park, the first of the CCC projects.
Included in the chapters are short focused definitions of various terms important to the time period and the content of the books. For example, “What is a Labor Union?” or “What was The Dust Bowl?” Pearson also looks at the inclusion of African-Americans and other minorities in the CCC and the importance of Frances Perkins as one of its guiding administrators. Filled with key pictures and well-researched quotes from the participants, Fight for the Forest is a worthy addition to any middle-grade library. And one I’ll be getting for my children.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, and the author for an advanced copy for review.
For my full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2019/10/12/fi...
For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
Pearson is a very organized writer. She starts by defining the time period of The Depression and the major players, most notably Roosevelt and his cabinet. Then the boots hit the ground and she branches off to focus on the young men who spent their time building Shenandoah National Park, the first of the CCC projects.
Included in the chapters are short focused definitions of various terms important to the time period and the content of the books. For example, “What is a Labor Union?” or “What was The Dust Bowl?” Pearson also looks at the inclusion of African-Americans and other minorities in the CCC and the importance of Frances Perkins as one of its guiding administrators. Filled with key pictures and well-researched quotes from the participants, Fight for the Forest is a worthy addition to any middle-grade library. And one I’ll be getting for my children.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, and the author for an advanced copy for review.
For my full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2019/10/12/fi...
For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
January 2, 2020
A well-written, thoughtful introduction to Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps. Despite the pitfalls and prejudice, it led to today's EPA and Conservation movement. Very readable history.
September 7, 2020
Such a good overview of the CCC and it’s impact, wish it had a few more pictures
April 29, 2020
I didn’t need too many more reasons to love FDR (except for Japanese Incarceration). This tells a great story of the CCC and how this program helped millions of Americans and the beauty of the country!
November 26, 2019
I’m gonna be honest, this book bored the crap out of me! It’s only really a relevant book if you’re into this kind of history or you (or someone you know) were a member of the CCC. The history surrounding the Great Depression was kind of interesting and I had a grandmother that used to tell me stories about it, but otherwise this book is dry and dull...
September 29, 2019
Thank you to #NetGalley and the author P. O'Connell Pearson for an advance copy of Fighting for the Forest: How FDR's Civilian Conversation Corps Helped Save America. This book will be released October 8, 2019. All opinions are my own.
The book is described as an inspirational middle grade nonfiction work that details the story of the Civilian Conservation Corps which was one of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal projects. This project as well as several others helped pull the U.S. out of the Great Depression and save a generation of Americans.
Nonfiction is one of my favorite genres and this book caught my eye because I grew up in a small community in Oregon that relied heavily on the timber industry for years. I learned so much about the Great Depression, the CCC, and conservation practices while reading this book. Previously, I'd heard of the New Deal programs (often described as Alphabet Soup) and I was familiar with the Works Progress Administration (WPA) but I had never heard of the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was amazing to discover how wide spread the CCC was and how it created and/or grew several of our national parks. The book has a huge focus on conservation and not only discusses the conservation programs of the CCC but how they extend to today and apply to what we're doing today. Additionally, the book acknowledges that not everything the CCC did was effective or good practice and that some of the projects actually did more harm than good (for example, trying to eliminate the mosquito population in the Everglades). In addition to the focus on environmental conservation, one of FDR's major goals was to conserve human resources. He saw what the Great Depression was doing to young men both physically and mentally and realized that something needed to be done to save this generation. I think that this is a book that many of my students would be interested in. While it is marketed at middle grades, parts of it are a little dry and may be more appealing to older (YA) readers. Fighting for the Forest would be a great additional to an environmental science elective course.
The book is described as an inspirational middle grade nonfiction work that details the story of the Civilian Conservation Corps which was one of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal projects. This project as well as several others helped pull the U.S. out of the Great Depression and save a generation of Americans.
Nonfiction is one of my favorite genres and this book caught my eye because I grew up in a small community in Oregon that relied heavily on the timber industry for years. I learned so much about the Great Depression, the CCC, and conservation practices while reading this book. Previously, I'd heard of the New Deal programs (often described as Alphabet Soup) and I was familiar with the Works Progress Administration (WPA) but I had never heard of the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was amazing to discover how wide spread the CCC was and how it created and/or grew several of our national parks. The book has a huge focus on conservation and not only discusses the conservation programs of the CCC but how they extend to today and apply to what we're doing today. Additionally, the book acknowledges that not everything the CCC did was effective or good practice and that some of the projects actually did more harm than good (for example, trying to eliminate the mosquito population in the Everglades). In addition to the focus on environmental conservation, one of FDR's major goals was to conserve human resources. He saw what the Great Depression was doing to young men both physically and mentally and realized that something needed to be done to save this generation. I think that this is a book that many of my students would be interested in. While it is marketed at middle grades, parts of it are a little dry and may be more appealing to older (YA) readers. Fighting for the Forest would be a great additional to an environmental science elective course.
December 10, 2021
P. O’Connell Pearson’s “Fighting for the Forest” published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers offers a detailed but easy-to-read overview of the Civilian Conservation Corps-a group of over 3 million young men who greatly increased the national park system and helped the USA escape the Great Depression. When Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated in January of 1933 he immediately got to work fixing the current economic state of the nation. One of the many government programs that FDR implemented to rise the US out of depression was the civilian conservation corps who would go on to plant millions of trees that would benefit the nation for years to come.
Personally this book excelled for me in its both simple structure and complex storytelling. Through the personal stories of young men involved in the Corps, Pearson conveys not only the feel of being in the Corps but also the responsibility to fix the parks that these young men so often felt. Although some may criticize this book’s slightly political sidebars that related the 1930’s to the current political climate, I found they helped in understanding the severity of some situations and very rarely thought that they illustrated personal opinions of the author.
I think that the author wrote this work primarily to educate readers on the often forgotten service these young men provided to rebuilding America. Although I haven’t finished my reading of the novel, I think the author really wanted to emphasize the point that these sacrifices shouldn’t have been made in vain and that we still must work just as hard to maintain not just our national parks, or even country but the condition of the whole world.
A very important person that influenced the event and the author’s interpretation of the event was FDR. Through his various public projects and the threat of war in Europe, FDR stabilized the nation and gave it a chance to rebuild.
Personally this book excelled for me in its both simple structure and complex storytelling. Through the personal stories of young men involved in the Corps, Pearson conveys not only the feel of being in the Corps but also the responsibility to fix the parks that these young men so often felt. Although some may criticize this book’s slightly political sidebars that related the 1930’s to the current political climate, I found they helped in understanding the severity of some situations and very rarely thought that they illustrated personal opinions of the author.
I think that the author wrote this work primarily to educate readers on the often forgotten service these young men provided to rebuilding America. Although I haven’t finished my reading of the novel, I think the author really wanted to emphasize the point that these sacrifices shouldn’t have been made in vain and that we still must work just as hard to maintain not just our national parks, or even country but the condition of the whole world.
A very important person that influenced the event and the author’s interpretation of the event was FDR. Through his various public projects and the threat of war in Europe, FDR stabilized the nation and gave it a chance to rebuild.
November 16, 2021
This was the sort of books I often looked for and couldn’t find. This is a juvenile history of the CCC, the Civilian Conservation Corps. It is excellent! There is an implicit suggestion that we should set up such a corp today. The author mentioned at least twice that FDR had hoped to make it a permanent program. However, WWII came along and the CCC graduates were needed and welcomed in the military. Many of the military leaders relied on CCC graduates to apply their skills for the military. This book is heavily endnoted, with a pretty large biography. It also showed how many of the graduates made use of their training and the discipline they learned there to be able to change jobs as times changed. There was a quiet sense of humor present too. Remember, this was an emergency program set up to counter the devastation of the Great Depression. The first person to enroll had the last name of Rich!
This book did an excellent job of explaining how desperate Americans were during the Great Depression with teachers asking kids why they didn’t have a lunch with them and hearing “it’s my sister’s turn to eat today”. !!! The author notes that much of the training youth got in the program consisted of simply getting enough nutrition into these young men so they would be able to carry out the jobs asked of them. Until the pandemic, I don’t think young people had an idea what real poverty meant. Then you saw many schools supplying meals during weekends and vacations. Even with that, most kids still don’t get poverty. Wearing dirty clothes for months on end? Ashamed at school for smelling because taking baths or showers were simply a luxury and had to be abandoned when money was simply too short.
Highly recommended! I’m shocked it didn’t win any awards from ALA!
This book did an excellent job of explaining how desperate Americans were during the Great Depression with teachers asking kids why they didn’t have a lunch with them and hearing “it’s my sister’s turn to eat today”. !!! The author notes that much of the training youth got in the program consisted of simply getting enough nutrition into these young men so they would be able to carry out the jobs asked of them. Until the pandemic, I don’t think young people had an idea what real poverty meant. Then you saw many schools supplying meals during weekends and vacations. Even with that, most kids still don’t get poverty. Wearing dirty clothes for months on end? Ashamed at school for smelling because taking baths or showers were simply a luxury and had to be abandoned when money was simply too short.
Highly recommended! I’m shocked it didn’t win any awards from ALA!
April 23, 2020
This well-written description of FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps not only manages to cover the history of the Great Depression & the new president's active role in addressing it in 1933, but also quite a bit about social mores and how they've shifted since then, an acknowledgment of racism, economic inequality, & the psychological effects of poverty.
The story of the CCC could not be more relevant today, when young people are aware of the global climate crisis and the challenge of finding a way to earn a living when the economy is falling apart.
Pearson circles back often to a small handful of characters through which the reader is introduced to the main concepts and follows the arc of the historical unfolding of events. The individuals are both White and Black; Native tribal people have some stories, some mentions throughout the book, and Hispanic people are given just a few pages. (I'm not sure if the program excluded Asian people in the United States, this was not mentioned.)
It seems especially well suited to readers in grades 5 to 9.
I was disappointed by two flaws:
I desperately wished for maps and charts! None.
The poor quality of the paper made the photos almost unreadable. I wish the publisher had used bright white printing stock, not this almost-newsprint type paper, so that the b&w photos could have come out crisp enough to discern the details of the fashions, technology, & nature. Other than that, this is a great book. It'd make a good audiobook!
The story of the CCC could not be more relevant today, when young people are aware of the global climate crisis and the challenge of finding a way to earn a living when the economy is falling apart.
Pearson circles back often to a small handful of characters through which the reader is introduced to the main concepts and follows the arc of the historical unfolding of events. The individuals are both White and Black; Native tribal people have some stories, some mentions throughout the book, and Hispanic people are given just a few pages. (I'm not sure if the program excluded Asian people in the United States, this was not mentioned.)
It seems especially well suited to readers in grades 5 to 9.
I was disappointed by two flaws:
I desperately wished for maps and charts! None.
The poor quality of the paper made the photos almost unreadable. I wish the publisher had used bright white printing stock, not this almost-newsprint type paper, so that the b&w photos could have come out crisp enough to discern the details of the fashions, technology, & nature. Other than that, this is a great book. It'd make a good audiobook!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2020
Here's what I liked about the book. It tells how the CCC saved and conserved America's forests, saved young men during the Great Depression, and was a great asset to our nation. It probably should never have been abolished. I also like how it explains criticism to the program as well especially in regards to spending on a deficit.
What I really didn't like was the section on gender roles. Here I think it expresses more the author's opinion than fact. Men and women to have different behaviors, talents, preferences, and, yes, even brain development. O'Connell goes with the crowd in saying that men and women aren't significantly different and I challenge that assumption. Perhaps gender roles of the 1930's is actually more true to the characters of men and women than what they are today?
What I really didn't like was the section on gender roles. Here I think it expresses more the author's opinion than fact. Men and women to have different behaviors, talents, preferences, and, yes, even brain development. O'Connell goes with the crowd in saying that men and women aren't significantly different and I challenge that assumption. Perhaps gender roles of the 1930's is actually more true to the characters of men and women than what they are today?
September 24, 2019
Fighting for the Forest is an extremely informative book about the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). I knew the CCC existed, but I had no idea how big it was and how many projects it undertook. This book is written in language that is straightforward and easy to understand. It's for middle grade readers, but would be a perfect introduction to the CCC for older readers as well. I liked how the author gave information to specific CCC members telling their individual stories as well as the story of the CCC as a whole. After reading this book, I now want to go visit Shenandoah National Park and see past the park to the Corps that created. it.
November 3, 2019
A look at the CCC, from the conditions that made FDR invent it, to the effects on the boys involved (and the ones not allowed or restricted -- women and non-whites), the projects attempted and completed, and the effects afterward on the people and the country. Pearson does a good job giving the history vibrancy, pulling out a few individuals to show the kind of people involved and where they came from and where they ended up but spending most of the time with a wider frame.
The final chapter looks at some of the controversies -- was it worth it? were the programs helpful? But Pearson is very clearly a fan valiantly attempting to give this opposing views a fair hearing.
The final chapter looks at some of the controversies -- was it worth it? were the programs helpful? But Pearson is very clearly a fan valiantly attempting to give this opposing views a fair hearing.
November 16, 2020
4.5 Stars I really enjoyed this book!! I read it really fast because I enjoyed it!
I usually read slow to absorb, but this was so interesting I just wanted to keep reading.
I have been on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Skyline drive in Virginia and so I had a frame or reference. I live in Utah and I know a lot of National Parks, campground, dams have been apart of the CCC.
I don't know if kids will like this, but I thought it was amazing!
It wasn't a perfect program, but it was perfect for the time, warts and all!
I usually read slow to absorb, but this was so interesting I just wanted to keep reading.
I have been on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Skyline drive in Virginia and so I had a frame or reference. I live in Utah and I know a lot of National Parks, campground, dams have been apart of the CCC.
I don't know if kids will like this, but I thought it was amazing!
It wasn't a perfect program, but it was perfect for the time, warts and all!
March 20, 2020
I found this book very inspiring -- I so think we need a tree army right now, too. It is very focused on young men of the time, because that is the nature of the times, but I appreciate that the author took time to address the areas the program fell short -- segregation, discrimination, and the people who were actively fighting both those forces at the time. I really did not appreciate the scope of what they were setting out to do and what they achieved. It's astonishing.
May 10, 2020
This was written for a younger audience, so while I found it a bit simplistic at times, I'm rating it for the intended audience. The information is useful and important and not something commonly taught in schools. Also I was impressed by the information contained in the few little asides interspersed through the book; things about gender roles of the age, racism, the economy, etc. An important book filled with very important info for independent young readers.
November 15, 2019
In light of recent headlines concerning climate change and environmental concerns that our current government is ignoring , this is a fascinating look at another generation's solutions to economic and environmental issues. It is written in a way that middle school students can understand without talking down to them.
January 14, 2020
I read most of this while camping at a state park that was founded by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which I knew very little about. This book covered the CCC in its entirety and what events led to its creation (the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl).
I'd recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more about Franklin D. Roosevelt, his CCC, or conservation in general!
I'd recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more about Franklin D. Roosevelt, his CCC, or conservation in general!
May 10, 2020
4.5 stars I loved this book. The CCC during the depression has always been such an interesting idea to me so it was fun to read about it. This book mostly focuses on the Shenandoah national park and I wish there was more information about the other parks. I liked that the author talked about the negative consequences as well as the benefits that happened because of the CCC. So interesting!!
February 26, 2022
This book about the Civilian Conservation Corps, is helpful in that it contextualizes Roosevelt's programs within the time (after WWI, during the depression, prior to WWII) the space, and against what we know now. It also points out both the good and bad of this program both in a historical context and with after sight.
April 23, 2024
I read this aloud to my 5th grader and we loved it! It so clearly explained what was happening in the US during the time and the politics. We didn't learn as much about FDR's life as I thought, but we learned enough to get a sense of his character and values. What we really loved was learning about the CCC, both the pros and the cons. It was a wonderfully engaging book.
May 22, 2021
This is a really good introduction to the New Deal, specifically the CCR. Appropriate for middle grade readers, I finished it in a few hours. Nice pictures and nice pop outs with concepts kids might not be familiar with, like specific Supreme Court trials, the Dust Bowl, etc..
December 26, 2021
While written at a middle school level (making an extremely quick read), it was still an enjoyable history lesson about the Civilian Conservation Corps, FDR’s first New Deal program. I leaned new things.
October 26, 2023
I used this as part of our homeschool curriculum for modern US History with my 9 y/o. It was one of his favorite lessons this term, and I also found the book interesting. I could see it’s use and/or enjoyment for grades 4 through high school.
July 6, 2024
Read this for my local libraries book club, just now maki by an account to share that.
It was an approachable read
And well worth the time. I think it would be a good introduction to conservation for kids
It was an approachable read
And well worth the time. I think it would be a good introduction to conservation for kids
June 3, 2019
Reviewed for professional publication.
Want to read
June 28, 2019Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher at ALA Annual 2019.
September 16, 2019
Terrific!
Include in classes: US History, Great Depression, govt programs, economics, environment, presidents...
Include in classes: US History, Great Depression, govt programs, economics, environment, presidents...
December 18, 2019
This was an informative read. Having hiked the length of Shenandoah National Park, I was really interested in all of the work the CCC did to build this park.
February 5, 2020
Didn’t love the writing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews