Six Days in October
Atheneum 2002
books for young people
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Over six terrifying, desperate days in October 1929, the fabulous fortune that Americans had built in stocks plunged with a fervor never seen before. At first, the drop seemed like a mistake, a mere glitch in the system. But as the decline gathered steam, so did the destruction. Over twenty-five billion dollars in individual wealth was lost, vanished, gone. People watched their dreams fade before their very eyes. Investing in the stock market would never be the same.

Here, Wall Street Journal bureau chief Karen Blumenthal chronicles the six-day period that brought the country to its knees, from fascinating tales of key stock-market players, like Michael J. Meehan, an immigrant who started his career hustling cigars outside theaters and helped convince thousands to gamble their hard-earned money as never before, to riveting accounts of the power struggles between Wall Street and Washington, to poignant stories from those who lost their savings—and more—to the allure of stocks and the power of greed.

For young readers living in an era of stock-market fascination, this engrossing account explains stock-market fundamentals while bringing to life the darkest days of the mammoth crash of 1929.

A comprehensive review of the events, personalities, and mistakes behind the Stock Market Crash of 1929, featuring photographs, newspaper articles, and cartoons of the day.

awards and honors
ALA Notable Children's Books
CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
IRA Children's Book Award Notable
Junior Library Guild selection
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Robert F. Sibert Award Honor Book

reviews
starred review“This fast-paced, gripping (and all-too-timely) account of the market crash of October 1929 puts a human face on the crisis. … A compelling portrait of a defining moment in American history.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

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