Reviews

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel, Melissa Sweet

jmshirtz's review against another edition

4.0

I'm becoming a fan of picture book nonfiction and biographies. There's something to be said about boiling down the pertinent information into 32-odd pages. I had not heard of Clara before, but loved the girl power and "fight for your rights" mentality presented here.

cweichel's review against another edition

5.0

This is a must purchase book for anyone who's raising young activists. Clara Lemlich was a union organizer and main initiator of the 1909 general strike in New York City. We can be thankful to her for the many benefits unions have ensured for all of us.
I really love that Clara wasn't deterred from her goals to improve working conditions for young women garment workers like herself. Despite police brutality, jail, and men in the union who didn't think women were strong enough, she never gave up.
She remains a relevant role model for our time.

heypretty52's review against another edition

4.0

*3.5 Stars*

Brave Girl again has such an amazing subject, but we aren't told very much about her. This could have done more.

ursulamonarch's review against another edition

I really liked this book and I think it's a great introduction to workers' rights, unions, and work in general. I loved the Yiddish word bubble. I can see how it may be a bit more appealing to adults and older children, though - it was a bit wordy for my 5 year old and not particularly geared to reading out loud. It might be better for older kids.

libscote's review against another edition

4.0

Don't speak English? Won't stop her! A woman in a time where they were considered less than competent? Won't stop her! An inspiring story.

literacydocent's review against another edition

4.0

5 stars for the illustrations. This title will be a wonderful biography to add to intermediate level classroom libraries.

aemy's review

5.0

I loved this book. It is has beautiful illustrations accompanied by digitally collages fabric and thread. Learning about the triangle shittwaist factory fire and the accompanying protests and labor movement changed my life as a child and I’m so excited to share Clara and her resiliency and strength with my own child someday.

tashrow's review

5.0

Clara Lemlich and her family came to America planning to find jobs, but no one will hire her father. The factories did want girls like Clara though, and so she started working in the garment industry. She worked from dusk to dawn in rows with other young girls, sewing as fast as she could. If they were late at all, they lost half a day’s wages. If they pricked their fingers and bled on the cloth they were fined, if it happened again they were fired. The doors were locked, there was no fresh air, and the girls were inspected when they left to make sure they weren’t stealing anything. But Clara would not be held down, she went to the library and learned English, teaching the other factory girls on their lunch break. Then Clara learned about unions and strikes, though some thought the girls were not tough enough to strike. So began her transformation into a union leader, through beatings and hunger, these girls and Clara are the people we have to thank for fair hours and pay.

Markel tells the story with a strong heart and a certain thrill. Readers get to see a quiet girl get off of the boat and steadily transform through self-education and pure tenacity into an amazing person who had strength and energy enough for several people. Markel manages to tell the story of the times without dedicating much of her brief story to background. Instead she uses the situation at the mill to speak on their own. She ends the book with more information about the garment industry, giving facts and figures about how many girls were working there and the abuses they suffered.

Sweet’s illustrations are a treat. Her paintings are turned into collage with the addition of various textiles and trims. On one page the buildings of New York are painted and then enriched by trimmings, stitches and swatches of material. On another the painting is smaller and then framed by material. Clara herself is often wearing a look of determination on her face, usually with a fist clenched as if ready to do battle at any time.

This is a wonderful picture book biography about a heroine that children can related directly to, since she is so young. It is also a very timely read with labor under such pressure right now. Appropriate for ages 6-9.

shidoburrito's review

5.0

Oh good, this book was actually really cute and creative. While the artist is basic at drawing humans, Melissa Sweet captures the eye with bright colors and a mixed media of water colors, fabric swatches with patterns, and photocopied objects colored in with watercolor. She also makes great use of sewed cloth and fabrics for borders and text areas, making even the text part of the book a work of art. This one might be my pick for the Mock Caldecotts!