Hunter, Nick. Women in World War I.

Hunter, Nick.  Women in World War I.  Capstone/Heinemann    2014  48p   ISBN 978-1-4329-8084-9  series: Remembering World War I  elem/ms    VG-Bnes  Nonfiction          

Upper-elementary and middle-school students are presented with information on the women in World War I.  Beautifully illustrated with period photographs, personal quotations, and interesting facts, there’s something new and interesting to read on every page.  Readers discover what life was like for women before and after this important war.  From women who volunteered at the front line to those who helped care for the wounded and/or make clothing for the front line, women played an important role in World War I.  While many of the husbands/fathers went to fight, many women took over the responsibilities of work in factories, including weapons factories, around the home, and on the farm.  Very few women actually fought in World War I, but those who did found it difficult to go back to traditional women’s roles upon arrival back home.  While the war was fought, women at home had a difficult time trying to keep the family and household together as their husbands and/or fathers were at war.  After the war ended, women found new opportunities, including jobs and the right to vote in national elections.

The author includes awesome period photographs, lots of personal quotations to make the reader feel connected to the time, a timeline of events, a glossary of terms, lists of recommended books and internet addresses, and an index.  For schools who use Accelerated Reader, an existing quiz is available for students to take (AR Quiz # 159507).  As of this review four titles have been published in the series Remembering World War I.  Each title covers an aspect of World War I.  Titles include campaigns, home fronts, life on the western front, and the women of this war.    

Summary: “Shows how women played a vital role in the war effort of every nation during World War I; describes how the lives of women changed, and what happened when the war ended.”   

World War I-Women                                 --Charleen Forba-Mayer