Uprising

Haddix weaves the historical facts of immigration, the struggle for women's suffrage, the birth of the labor movement, and the devastating Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 into the lives of three very different fictional young women. Bella is a newly arrived Italian immigrant; Yetta, a reform-minded Russian Jew; and Jane, the daughter of an upper-class businessman. Suzanne Toren distinguishes between immigrant and citizen, worker and boss, upper class and lower class, as well as between Italian, Yiddish, and English accents. She makes believable the unlikely friendship of the protagonists and creates an empathetic atmosphere that makes listeners admire the courage it took for these disenfranchised to stand up for themselves and demand their rights. An extensive author's note fleshes out the historical context of the story. N.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

September 24, 2007
Although it begins in a didactic tone, this historical novel about New York City's Triangle Shirtwaist Factory and the catastrophic Factory fire hits its stride to offer a compelling message about labor, sacrifice and the price of freedom in America. Haddix (the Shadow Children series) follows three very different girls: naïve Bella from Italy, who becomes a strikebreaker; the feisty Yetta, a Jewish immigrant from Russia who spearheads the strikes; and the socially prominent Jane, raised to marry for status and prestige. The pace and interest pick up once the infamous 1910 strike begins and the girls' experiences collide. The author ably motivates the various characters, for example, Yetta repeatedly survives beatings and incarceration for her convictions; Bella joins the strike only after learning her family has died and her landlords have stolen her savings; and Jane follows college friends to the picket line but returns of her own accord. Several well-sketched supporting characters highlight the broader effect of the struggle, such as Jane's chauffeur, who cheers her participation. The portrayal of the fire, which killed 146 workers, and its legacy memorably drives home both the bravery of girls who stood up to the powerful factory owners and the highly personal cost of progress. Ages 12-up.