Spending Spree: The History of American Shopping

Gr 5–9—In this modern world of conspicuous consumption, mega-malls, and shopping apps, it is hard to imagine a time when families traveled for days to purchase sacks of sugar and flour and maybe a few pieces of penny candy from a general store. This title gives historical perspective and background on shopping and explains how it moved from mere necessity to a status-generating social activity. The book is divided into chronological chapters, beginning with the bartering system used by Native Americans and ending with online shopping and trendy pop-up stores. Average-quality vintage photographs and catalog pages are included throughout, along with quotes from literature and famous people, among them, Snooki. The serviceable text is not likely to grab browsers, but for report writers, there are plenty of facts and interesting tidbits.—Heather Acerro, Rochester Public Library, MN