One Times Square: A Century of Change at the Crossroads of the World

Gr 5–8—Celebrating the rich history of Times Square, McKendry offers detailed information about the construction of the buildings and how the famous intersection has been a pivotal location for business, commerce, and tourism over the years. He discusses how different industries interacted and influenced one another and offers explanations of the high and low points over the years (for example, when the Great Depression brought construction to a standstill). It's interesting to see how things have evolved in the area, e.g., the electronic news scroll that is located there today was originally the Motograph News Bulletin called the "Zipper," which announced things like Herbert Hoover's presidential victory and the end of World War II. Tidbits of information, such as how workers used to dangle above the street to change burned-out lightbulbs in a marquis, will engage youngsters and instill an appreciation for the hard work that went into maintaining Times Square. However, the real value of this book is found in its stunning watercolor illustrations, which correspond to the information being presented. While some topics are given a full-color spread, other pages are punctuated with sepia or black-and-white line drawings, and there are informational sidebars peppered throughout. There is no real structure to the book (nor is there a table of contents or index), but chronological bits highlight the years 1904,1926, 1945, 1964, 1982, and 2000 in particular. At the end of the book, McKendry prompts readers to speculate about the future of Times Square, but does not question its continuing importance to NYC's urban landscape.—Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY