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9 reviews for:
The Factory Girls: A Kaleidoscopic Account of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Christine Seifert
3.78 AVERAGE
9 reviews for:
The Factory Girls: A Kaleidoscopic Account of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Christine Seifert
3.78 AVERAGE
Fascinating. There was a lot of information here about the factories, the time period, and the fight for workers' rights.
It's also a great example to show how something nonfiction can have a distinct point of view (very progressive). Sometimes kids think that nonfiction is just "facts" but we need to be able to understand the author's purpose and point of view to truly understand the text. Whether we agree or disagree with the point being made, we need to teach kids to see there IS one there.
It's also a great example to show how something nonfiction can have a distinct point of view (very progressive). Sometimes kids think that nonfiction is just "facts" but we need to be able to understand the author's purpose and point of view to truly understand the text. Whether we agree or disagree with the point being made, we need to teach kids to see there IS one there.
This is one of the better YA nonfiction books I’ve read. It was really quite good. I personally got very skimmy the last 4 chapters. I don’t think that’s the books fault, I think it’s mine. I was going to write a big review for this too, but my will gave out. I’m so sorry. I really liked how she painted a big picture of all the different cultural factors in American society and the world at large which lead to the fire. Summary: capitalism is
A fascinating and shameful period in time, told in a clear, constructive, and understandable manner. By giving voice to the girls while explaining the political and business backdrop, the author has made the scene come to life and to create parallels to today's world.
The story of the labor movement during the early 1900s and how the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire affected change. The author shows the reader how today’s labor climate in many ways echoes the time just prior to the fire and provides ways consumers can use their buying power to also affect change, hopefully without a comparable tragedy.
Super list of resources at the end of the book.
Super list of resources at the end of the book.
4.5 stars!
I remember studying the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire way back in the fifth or sixth grade. It's stuck with me since then, so I snapped this up off the shelf at my library right away to learn more about it. I really enjoyed Seifert's contemporary, conversational tone; it felt like a close friend was sitting me down and telling me the story directly. Her dedication and care into this topic is palpable on the page.
I also appreciated the insight into how class, xenophobia, and gender all played into this tragedy. She also took the time to point out how women of color worked in even more dangerous conditions than the largely white Triangle workers did, which kept the discussion on class and violence from feeling too whitewashed.
A really interesting piece of academic work! I'm glad I picked this up.
I remember studying the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire way back in the fifth or sixth grade. It's stuck with me since then, so I snapped this up off the shelf at my library right away to learn more about it. I really enjoyed Seifert's contemporary, conversational tone; it felt like a close friend was sitting me down and telling me the story directly. Her dedication and care into this topic is palpable on the page.
I also appreciated the insight into how class, xenophobia, and gender all played into this tragedy. She also took the time to point out how women of color worked in even more dangerous conditions than the largely white Triangle workers did, which kept the discussion on class and violence from feeling too whitewashed.
A really interesting piece of academic work! I'm glad I picked this up.
This YA nonfiction read is well-organized and crafted and offers insight not only into the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory disaster -- something YA has a couple of nonfiction titles covering -- but it also looks at the political, social, and economical factors at the time which contributed to it. It really is a kaleidoscopic account and gave some fascinating insight into the ways young girls protested for fair labor, the way certain rich women helped support these girls, and even why it was that the shirtwaist became such high fashion.
But what took this from being good to being quite good is that Seifert absolutely addresses race here. She notes more than once, and in a section dedicated to it, that racism was abound and that the bulk of the story here focuses on working class white women...and why that's the case. It's a nice balance, given that she spends a good amount of time talking, too, about Russian Jewish girls who were a good swath of the factory workers; these identities are all named and discussed. There was one part where Seifert mentions that young Cuban girls in Florida working in cigar factories having it far worse than the girls in NYC had it and now I really hope that there's a YA book that explores life as a young Cuban girl in Florida during this time of industrialization and growing wealth gaps.
Great for readers who like history, who are interested in girls doing things and being given credit for it, as well as those who want more insight into one of the worst tragedies in American history. This would pair well with FLESH AND BLOOD SO CHEAP, THREADS AND FLAMES, and AUDACITY -- there is a nice section here about Clara Lemlich.
My only minor complaint is, at times, the author's asides get annoying, rather than come off as clever as she hoped they would. But those are few and far between.
But what took this from being good to being quite good is that Seifert absolutely addresses race here. She notes more than once, and in a section dedicated to it, that racism was abound and that the bulk of the story here focuses on working class white women...and why that's the case. It's a nice balance, given that she spends a good amount of time talking, too, about Russian Jewish girls who were a good swath of the factory workers; these identities are all named and discussed. There was one part where Seifert mentions that young Cuban girls in Florida working in cigar factories having it far worse than the girls in NYC had it and now I really hope that there's a YA book that explores life as a young Cuban girl in Florida during this time of industrialization and growing wealth gaps.
Great for readers who like history, who are interested in girls doing things and being given credit for it, as well as those who want more insight into one of the worst tragedies in American history. This would pair well with FLESH AND BLOOD SO CHEAP, THREADS AND FLAMES, and AUDACITY -- there is a nice section here about Clara Lemlich.
My only minor complaint is, at times, the author's asides get annoying, rather than come off as clever as she hoped they would. But those are few and far between.
This was a hard book to read, but so interesting on its multi faceted approach of telling the history of the triangle shirtwaist factory. Reading about those people lives without making connections to the world right now, is impossible. I always appreciate how Seifert expands on difficult conversations, and I really enjoyed this book. My favorite so far!
And also a shout out to her publisher for picking such an awesome designer to layout the book and the cover. It's gorgeous.
And also a shout out to her publisher for picking such an awesome designer to layout the book and the cover. It's gorgeous.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This is a decent nonfiction look at the Triangle fire for younger teens. It's written in a very slangy contemporary style which might not hold up well in a few years, and it's unfortunately plagued by typos that should have been caught by an editor, but the information is well organized and presented in a way that holds your attention. I would probably direct older teens or those with stronger reading skills to one of the Triangle histories published for adults if they have interest in this area.