Let's Celebrate Labor Day

December 1, 2015
Grades 2-5 Each volume in the excellent Holidays & Heroes series focuses on a particular American holiday and explains why it is celebrated, who is associated with the holiday, and what form the celebration takes. Let's Celebrate Labor Day goes back to the Industrial Age and explains how workers were often exploited, which led to the rise of the unions. The book includes the wide swath of professions organized into labor unionsfrom firefighters to bricklayers to football playersand explains how unions and companies negotiate issues such as wages and working conditions. Several short bios are included: George Meany, and, rather oddly, Rosie the Riveter, though her profile does offer an opportunity to discuss women in the workplace. The series combines crisp, informative texts with attractive full-color illustrations and a pleasing design. Those looking for activities about the holidays are directed to a designated website. Librarians and teachers will find this series useful in many ways.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)