On Our Way to Oyster Bay

June 15, 2016
In 1903, 8-year-old millworkers Aiden and Gussie carry pickets demanding an end to child labor practices.To provide needed income for their families, young children toiled 12 hours a day, six days a week in workplaces that were dangerous and demoralizing. Without access to education, they had no chance for betterment. In Kulling's tale of protest, when union activist Mother Jones plans a 100-mile march all the way to Oyster Bay, New York, to confront President Theodore Roosevelt, Aiden and Gussie go with her. The march is arduous, with long days of walking, campouts, train rides, some recreation, and speeches that elicit moral and practical support along the way. In the end, the president refuses to meet them, and they must return home. The tale is based on true events and people; it is told here from fictional Aiden's point of view, wide-eyed and admiring of Mother Jones, enjoying the adventure, and ever hopeful. Kulling follows the path of the march, quoting Jones extensively, but even Aiden and Gussie's presence doesn't really bring the events to life. The main characters are white, though there are some brown-skinned people depicted in the crowd scenes. Sala's illustrations are much too bright and cheerful, with even the cotton mill appearing clean and airy. Interesting but never compelling or heartfelt. (author's note, websites) (Picture book. 7-9)

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July 1, 2016

Gr 1-3-Mary Harris "Mother" Jones worked relentlessly as an advocate and organizer for workers' rights. Mother Jones sought to highlight the plight of working children by organizing a march from Philadelphia to New York City and then to President Theodore Roosevelt's summer home in Oyster Bay, Long Island. This work recounts the experiences of two young fictional child workers, Aidan and Gussie, during that march. Camping out in the woods, riding a train, and visiting Coney Island, Aidan and Gussie learn lessons in generosity and activism as they meet thousands of supportive people along the way. Finally arriving at Oyster Bay, with her few ragtag crusaders, Mother Jones was turned away and never met with the president. However, the march raised national awareness, and within a few years the first child labor laws were passed. As an introduction to the idea of activism and the concept of the individual's ability to make a difference, this is a suitable work for students. Color illustrations highlight the march from Aiden and Gussie's viewpoint but show almost exclusively white children and adults. Information is included about Mother Jones and her crusade as well as facts about current problems of child labor throughout the world, with a few suggestions for possible actions that may be undertaken by readers. VERDICT As a classroom read-aloud, combined with discussion, this can be used as an overview of social justice and activism.-Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2016
Grades 1-3 In 1903, children are forced to work long days in dangerous factories. Mary Harris Mother Jones, a labor activist, takes a stand against these working conditions by organizing a march to Oyster Bay, New York. On the way to the summer home of President Theodore Roosevelt, she is joined by Aidan and Gussie, two fictional children working in a cotton mill. The details of the actual march are altered and fictionalized to connect with a young audience, with Aidan's and Gussie's observations of speeches and events forming the cornerstone of the narrative with invented dialogue and impressions. Full spreads of rapt crowds listening to Mother Jones against cityscapes are depicted in a muted palette of colored-pencil-and-watercolor drawings. An extensive closing author's note takes on the following topics: Who Was Mother Jones? Child Labor Today, and In Mother Jones' Footsteps. Finally, a Take Action section provides resources to learn more about present-day child labor, though there is no supporting bibliography. Regardless, this approachable title makes for a good entry point to a unique historical event.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)