Golden Gate
Building the Mighty Bridge
On the north end of the Golden Gate strait, two lighthouse keeper’s kids watched at the water’s edge as trucks and crews arrived to build the bridge. The currents were treacherous, ripping back and forth with the tides. Fog, rain, and freezing winds whipped through the strait. “Impossible,” many said.
It was the height of the Great Depression, but daring teams of engineers and builders set out to build the impossible bridge. The keepers’ kids watched the construction in amazement from its beginning in 1933 to the official, thrilling opening on May 27, 1937.
Resources
Awards & Accolades
Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12
ALA Notable Children’s Book
★ “Making playful use of language, Partridge’s immersive, meticulously detailed second-person narration pairs seamlessly with Heck’s intricate, realistic images for a child’s-eye glimpse of the whole thrilling process.” ― Kirkus Reviews
★ “A well-researched and excellent addition to STEM classes and library collections.” ― School Library Journal, Starred Review
“As the two children lead the inaugural crowd surging onto the finished bridge to the sound of foghorns on a May day in 1937, it’s hard not to join in the giddy rush.” ― Booklist
“Narrated from the perspective of a lighthouse keeper’s children. . . this work carefully recalls the experience of witnessing an era-specific infrastructure project.” ― Publishers Weekly
“In a second-person narrative voice, Partridge follows the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge…This enables her to highlight key events, simplify complex processes, and weave in compelling factual details. Heck’s textured art, varied compositions, and striking color choices provide the appropriate mood and gravitas for the accomplishment of such a noted architectural wonder and historical landmark.” — The Horn Book Magazine