Crying the News

By Vincent DiGirolamo,

Book cover of Crying the News: A History of America's Newsboys

Book description

From Benjamin Franklin to Ragged Dick to Jack Kelly, hero of the Disney musical Newsies, newsboys have long intrigued Americans as symbols of struggle and achievement. But what do we really know about the children who hawked and delivered newspapers in American cities and towns? Who were they? What was…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Crying the News as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

When kids stick it to the (adult) rich capitalists, it just hits different.

I reviewed this outstanding book by Vincent DiGirolamo after it had won multiple awards in 2020. It is deserving of all the accolades and then some. I learned that across America, newsboys weren’t just the purveyors of the news but they actively shaped American history, the urban landscape, and working-class identity.

I found it inspiring that these kids stoked the flames of working-class anger as they cried out the news of labor strikes and organized dozens themselves. This book was a great reminder that we have to…

Want books like Crying the News?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 19 books like Crying the News.

Browse books like Crying the News

Book cover of The Making of the English Working Class
Book cover of To 'Joy My Freedom: Southern Black Women's Lives and Labors After the Civil War
Book cover of Waterfront Workers of New Orleans: Race, Class, and Politics, 1863-1923

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,200

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in poverty, time travel, and Chicago?

Poverty 97 books
Time Travel 401 books
Chicago 398 books