Rudy Rides the Rails, A Depression Era Story
by Dandi Daley Mackall
2008 Kids' Wings Award

Rudy lives with his family in Akron, Ohio, as the Great Depression stole jobs, homes, and food from American families in the 1930s. With his father becoming increasingly depressed, and his mother desperately trying to find food for his family, Rudy makes a courageous decision. He leaves home to find himself transformed from a young teen into a hobo, dependent on the kindness of strangers.

What will happen to Rudy when he hops on trains and rides the rails to California? Will he find a job? Will he find food? Who will he find to help him along the way? Will he ever return home?

Research Links for
Rudy Rides the Rails, A Depression Era Story
by Dandi Daley Mackall

Interview with Dandi Daley Mackall
Railroad Map
Guide to the Great Depression
Lesson Ideas for The Great Depression Gallery
Classroom Activity:  Taking an Oral History of The Great Depression
People Remember
The Great Depression Summary
Library of Congress:  American Life Histories
Riding the Rails, Timeline
Jesse Jones, a hero of the Great Depression

Other Great Historical Fiction Stories set in the Great Depression

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis --The Newbery Medal winner for 2002--Michigan, 1930's, Depression--A ten-year-old African-American orphan named Bud...not Buddy... grows strong through the wisdom he remembers from his mother and through the "rules and things" that he creates during harrowing challenges he encounters in his search for his father--Unit in Roots and Wings

Leah's Pony by Elizabeth Friedrich --Picture Book--During the Great Depression's Dust Bowl, Leah makes a great sacrifice to save her family's home--Unit in Character Connections

Love from Your Friend Hannah by Mindy Skolsky --Depression--Probably the most determined pen pal of the 1930’s, Hannah Diamond finds friendship through her pencil...in the most unlikely of places. Written as a series of letters to Abby, the President of the United States, the First Lady, and others reach across the miles to encourage her during the Great Depression. --Unit in Tales for Two Centuries

Wingwalker by Rosemary Wells -- Rueben's life changes when the Great Depression hits--- Treasure Trackers

Nowhere to Call Home by Cynthia DeFelice-- A story of homelessness in the Great Depression

Rudy Rides the Rails, A Depression Era Story
by Dandi Daley Mackall

Two Super Units for Rudy Rides the Rails, A Depression Era Story are a part of a collection of 24 units in Transformers.

The Kids' Wings Unit Contains:
Discussion Cards
Crossword Puzzle
2-Page Readers’ Theater Script
Map Study

We appreciate the Unit Generously Contributed by Sleeping Bear Press that contains:
Prereading and Background Building Activities
Vocabulary Study

Simile Study
Grocery Prices During the Depression
Time Travel Classification Cards
Sequencing
And Much More

 

Need it NOW? Call now 512-558-1121 to order Transformers and the unit will be emailed to you in a pdf file usually within 24 hours.
 

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to the talented Mickey Gentle for allowing us to use his fabulous original composition: "Ride the Rails" as our background music!

 

 

Kids' Wings

The world's greatest literature units for Rudy Rides the Rails and 24 other award-winning children's novels and picture books are found in

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Rudy Rides the Rails, A Depression Era Story
by Dandi Daley Mackall
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