120 pages • 4 hours read
Howard ZinnA Young People's History of the United States
Nonfiction | Book | YA | Published in 2007A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
A Young People's History of the United States, adapted by Rebecca Stefoff from Howard Zinn’s original work, presents U.S. history from the perspective of the masses, starting with early European contact with Indigenous peoples and extending to the Iraq War, including marginalized groups like enslaved Black individuals, Native nations, poor people, immigrants, political dissenters, and women. It includes sensitive topics such as violence, oppression, and systemic inequities.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Howard Zinn's A Young People's History of the United States offers an accessible, alternative perspective on American history, emphasizing marginalized voices. While praised for its engaging narrative and thought-provoking content, some criticize it for perceived bias and lack of balance. Overall, it successfully encourages critical thinking among young readers.
Who Should Read A Young People's History of the United States?
A reader who would enjoy A Young People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn likely has an interest in alternative historical narratives and a keen sense of social justice. Comparable to readers of Lois Lowry’s Number the Stars and Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl, they are curious about different perspectives in history and eager to understand complex social issues.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
1010L