Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Plucky heroine faces turbulent times in engaging tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Twelve-year-old Emily's father is a carriage maker in early 1900s Washington, D.C., and she likes nothing better than helping her father and especially Henry, the blacksmith who works for him. But blacksmithing isn't an appropriate interest for a young lady in 1909, and Emily's forever being sent back to help her mother around the house. As automobiles become more and more popular, Emily wonders what will become of her family if no one needs carriages built any more. And how can she find her own way when everything around her is changing so quickly?
Is It Any Good?
Emily's adventures in WHEELS OF CHANGE will entertain kids and get them engrossed in 1900s American history. Important issues such as segregation and women's rights are explored in a way that will make sense to kids and open their eyes to daily life during a time of tremendous social upheaval.
But what kids will notice most as they read is how much they enjoy following Emily's exploits and adventures. Her narrative voice is believable and engaging and makes it easy for kids to put themselves in her place. The plot is well-paced, building naturally to major events and a hopeful, satisfying ending.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the world changes. What kinds of changes seem scary? What kinds are exciting?
Emily is a bit of a worrier. What makes you worry? Does worrying help you solve problems, or does it create even more problems?
Why are books about olden times so popular? Can they teach us anything about ourselves and our world now?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Creston Books
- Publication date : September 23, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 13
- Number of pages : 198
- Available on : Hardback
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate