HOW IT HAPPENED! GUM

A lively look at the history of chewing gum.

Towler delivers an account of the long history of humans and gum, from birch bark tar found at a Stone Age site to the prized ancient Greek mastic gum from the island of Chios. Central American peoples collected sap called chicle from the sapodilla tree, while North American spruce gum inspired the first chewing gum to be manufactured and sold. Energetic graphic design incorporates swaths of bright gum-ball colors with dashes of bubble-gum pink along with plenty of photographs and whimsical cartoon illustrations (people depicted are racially diverse). Towler looks briefly at environmental and economic injustices committed in the harvesting of chicle in the first part of the 20th century. Chewing gum was sent to U.S. soldiers along with rations in both world wars, spreading the appeal throughout the world. The invention of bubble gum and the connection with comics and baseball cards cemented the popularity of chewing gum as entertainment. Towler examines the cultural context for chewing gum—including etiquette debates, health claims, and the use of racist and sexist stereotypes and slogans in advertising. Instructions for blowing gum bubbles and speculation about what future developments might be in store complete the picture. The wealth of intriguing information nicely pitched to middle-grade readers makes the lack of source notes or a bibliography regrettable.

A diverting look at the rest of the story for a familiar product.