Reading Metrics
Description
This entertaining book spans the time from the first chimneys in Norman castles to the revival of sweeps, stoves and chimneys in the 1980s. An ALA Notable book and a winner of the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction.
Quick Summary
Giblin's "Chimney Sweeps" is a fun, fast read that jumps from medieval castles to modern stoves, giving you the lowdown on how chimney sweeping got started, why kids were once hired for the job, and how the trade evolved into a safer, more specialized profession. The tone is witty and a little irreverent, which makes heavy topics like dangerous working conditions and child labor go down easy without glossing over the seriousness. Kids who love oddball trivia, especially about old trades and inventions, will find plenty to brag about, and reluctant readers will appreciate the short chapters and snappy anecdotes that keep the pages turning. Parents should know that there are some descriptions of soot-filled lungs and accidental fires, but they're presented in a matter-of-fact way that's more educational than frightening. The book also includes a few vintage illustrations and sidebars that break up the text, making it a good fit for both classroom projects and casual browsing. If you've enjoyed other nonfiction like "The Industrial Revolution for Kids," you'll find this one a quick, entertaining companion that fills in a quirky corner of history.