Golden Gate: Building the Mighty Bridge

by Elizabeth Partridge (Author) Ellen Heck (Illustrator)

Golden Gate: Building the Mighty Bridge
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

The Golden Gate Bridge, beloved landmark and symbol of San Francisco, finally gets a gorgeous picture book that tells the thrilling story of how it was built! Written by National Book Award finalist and Sibert Medal winner Elizabeth Partridge.

Across a treacherous strait where deep ocean waters rip back and forth with the tides, and during the depths of the Great Depression, daring teams of engineers and builders set out to make something many thought impossible.

Begun in 1933 and officially opened on May 27, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge and its awe-inspiring and groundbreaking construction are truly a testament to the power of hope and perseverance. Told from the point of view of the lighthouse keeper's kids, who watch in fascination as the trucks and crews arrive and steel towers coated in heavy red paint begin to rise above the tempestuous water, Golden Gate shares a thrilling visual perspective on each stage of the breathtaking project.

Young readers can look and learn as each turn of the page reveals dazzling, color-soaked artwork paired with text that blends factual details into the narrators' keen observations. By the final spread, where fireworks explode in celebration over the mighty bridge, the tale is complete--not only of an astonishing feat of engineering but of the potential of human ingenuity to defy the odds and make the impossible possible.

EXTRAORDINARY NONFICTION BOOK FOR KIDS: Painstaking research went into the writing and illustrating of this story, making it an outstanding resource for learning about an American engineering marvel. The author's afterword summarizes key facts and offers a powerful reminder of why the Golden Gate is beloved around the world as one of the most beautiful and inspiring bridges ever built.

AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR: Elizabeth Partridge is the acclaimed author of many books for young and young adult readers, including Seen and Unseen, Parks for the People, and Marching for Freedom, as well as biographies of Dorothea Lange, Woody Guthrie, and John Lennon. Her books have received multiple honors, including the Robert F. Sibert Medal, National Book Award finalist, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Los Angeles Times Book Prize, a Michael L. Printz Honor, and the Jane Addams Children's Book Award.

GREAT GIFT: For visitors to the foggy City by the Bay and those who live close to the scenic Golden Gate, this stunning picture book makes a perfect keepsake and tribute to California's most recognizable landmark.

FUN CALIFORNIA HISTORY: A fascinating slice of California history comes alive with detail and drama that will captivate kids of all ages!

Perfect for:

  • San Francisco Bay Area locals and visitors
  • Fans of the Golden Gate Bridge
  • Teachers and librarians looking for a nonfiction picture book that teaches history and STEM topics
  • Parents, grandparents, and caregivers seeking engaging nonfiction children's books
  • Anyone who has left their heart in San Francisco
Select format:
Hardcover
$19.99

Elizabeth Partridge
Elizabeth Partridge is the acclaimed author of more than a dozen books for young readers, including biographies of Dorothea Lange, Woody Guthrie, and John Lennon. Her books have received many honors, including National Book Award finalist, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Los Angeles Times Book Prize, ALA Michael L. Printz Honor, and Jane Addams Children's Book Award.

The goddaughter of Dorothea Lange, Elizabeth grew up surrounded by Dorothea's photographs. She always knew her godmother wanted to bear witness to important and difficult times in American history with her camera. Dorothea's photograph of Torazo Sakawye, carrying his young grandson on his shoulders down a dusty Manzanar street inspired Elizabeth to begin writing this book, which seeks to illuminate the stories behind the photos.

Visit her online at www.elizabethpartridge.com.

Lauren Tamaki is a Canadian illustrator living in New York. Her clients include The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Pentagram, Penguin, The New Yorker, and Disney, and her work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, the Society for News Design, AI-AP, and the National Magazine Awards.

Having grown up in Calgary as a fourth-generation Japanese Canadian, Lauren was inspired by this project to learn more about her grandparents, who both had experiences with incarceration camps in British Columbia. Through her research, she discovered that her grandfather used his law degree to fight for the rights of incarcerated Japanese Canadians after they were released. Connecting with her family's history was a source of pride for Lauren as she brought the experiences of incarcerated people to life in the pages of this book.

Visit her online at www.laurentamaki.com.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781452135144
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Chronicle Books
Publication date
October 08, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF061010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Technology | Inventions
JNF005000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Architecture
JNF025260 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | Symbols, Monuments, National Parks, Etc.
Library of Congress categories
History
California
San Francisco (Calif.)
Buildings, structures, etc
Design and construction
San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco, Calif.)
Suspension bridges

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