Written by Margaret Peterson Haddix
This historical novel takes place in New York City in 1910-1911. It is the story of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. The story centers around two young ladies; Yetta, a Jewish girl from Russia, and Bella, a new immigrant from Italy. The girls are hired to work at the factory where they are mistreated, made to work long hours, beaten, underpaid, or even not paid at all. The girls are befriended by Jane, who is a native New Yorker and very wealthy. The girls hear about the union that recognizes their complaints and works to make things better. There is also a lot of talk about women getting the right to vote. When the fire breaks out the girls are on the 9th floor of a building with only one small elevator and no fire escapes.
I thought this book was very informative and interesting. It really depicted life for the poor and immigrants in this country. The reading and comprehension is fairly difficult for an elementary library, and should only be recommended to very high 6th grade readers.
Review by Terrie Bishop, Academy Park Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 5-12
Uprising
Written by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Publisher
346 pages
Release Date: 2007, 2011
ISBN: 1416911723 (paperback)
Categories: Elem. – Fiction, Jr. High – Fiction, Sr. High – Fiction
Tags: New York 1911, Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, Fire escapes, Immigrants, Unions,
