Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building
What’s inside...
This book tells the story of the construction of the Empire State Building through the eyes of a young boy who watches the builders at work. He sees how the workers use their skills and courage to construct the skyscraper, overcoming numerous challenges along the way. The unbeatable team of Deborah Hopkinson and James E. Ransome present a riveting brick-by-brick account of how one of the most amazing accomplishments in American architecture came to be. Join a young boy as he watches the Empire State Building being constructed from scratch, then travels to the top to look down on all of New York City in 1931. Hopkinson, a master of historical fiction, and Ransome, an award-winning illustrator, dazzle us with this ALA Notable. This Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book and ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book provides a riveting account of the building’s construction, detailing the workers’ efforts in stacking 10 million bricks and hoisting 60,000 tons of steel, all while contending with the challenges of the Great Depression. Witness the excitement as the boy and his father are among the first to experience the breathtaking view from the top of the tallest building in the world upon its completion.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think inspired the people to build something as tall as the Empire State Building?
How do you think the workers felt being so high up in the sky?
Why is teamwork important in accomplishing big tasks like building a skyscraper?
If you could design a building, what special features would it have?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves as one of the Sky Boys, and ask how they would approach the challenges faced during the construction.
Discuss the historical context of the Empire State Building’s construction during the Great Depression, and how it might have affected the people's spirits and society.
Link the story's themes of ambition and teamwork to your child’s personal experiences with school projects or team sports.
Use the illustrations in the book to help your child visualize the scale of the construction and the era it was built in.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance and hard work
Explanation: The story details the dedication and tireless efforts of the construction workers who built the Empire State Building.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of dedication and persistent effort in achieving their goals, whether in academics, sports, or personal projects.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The construction of the Empire State Building was a massive project that required the collaboration of many different people with various skills.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the value of working together and how collective effort can achieve great results, useful in group projects and team sports.
Example Lesson: Engineering and innovation
Explanation: The book illustrates the innovative techniques and engineering skills needed to construct such a monumental building.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to explore STEM fields and appreciate the impact of innovation and technology in shaping our world.
Example Lesson: Historical awareness
Explanation: Set during the Great Depression, the book provides historical context that helps children understand a significant period in American history.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop a deeper understanding of history and its influence on the present, enhancing their social studies learning and cultural awareness.