Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (2007), Edition: 2nd Printing, 352 pages
Description
In 1927, at the urging of twenty-one-year-old Harriet, Mrs. Livingston reluctantly recalls her experiences at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory, including miserable working conditions that led to a strike, then the fire that took the lives of her two best friends, when Harriet, the boss's daughter, was only five years old. Includes historical notes.
Library's review
"Uprising" paints a vivid picture of life in New York City in the early 1900s. Three Jewish immigrants and one socialite are the main characters. Page by page their daily lives are described and used as prologue to the issues of union organizing and striking, and the deplorable working conditions
Young readers can gain some insight into the reasons for labor unions and how striking workers can sometimes improve factory working conditions. Issues of women's suffrage are also presented in an anecdotal manner and describe the plight of young women who have no voice and are often deprived of a college education because they are female. The book ends with a twist and is generally able to capture the reader's interest. - Jane M.
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in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911.Young readers can gain some insight into the reasons for labor unions and how striking workers can sometimes improve factory working conditions. Issues of women's suffrage are also presented in an anecdotal manner and describe the plight of young women who have no voice and are often deprived of a college education because they are female. The book ends with a twist and is generally able to capture the reader's interest. - Jane M.
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Subjects
Awards
Dublin Literary Award (Longlist — 2009)
Audie Award (Finalist — Teens — 2009)
Georgia Children's Book Award (Finalist — 2010)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2012)
Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award (Nominee — Teen — 2009)
Ohioana Book Award (Finalist — Juvenile Literature — 2008)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — Middle School — 2010)
Isinglass Teen Read Award (Nominee — 2012)
Historical Novel Society Editors' Choice (Children/Young Adult)
Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 (Selection — 2008)
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member LizMBradley
Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix is a moving tale. Taking place in 1911, the story tells of an American industrial tragedy, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. This piece of historical fiction follows three young women from different walks of life. Despite the lack of development amongst
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certain characters' relationships, this novel is extremely well-written and and keeps the reader very engaged. I would most definitely recommend this book as a mentor text in a classroom or for one's own leisure. It is a great read! Show Less
LibraryThing member rgruberexcel
RGG: Fictional account told from the points of view of three different young women of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory strike and then at the very end of the fire. Representation of life in the lower Eastside at the turn of the 20th century is interesting. The courageousness of the three women may
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be inspiring. Reading Level: 12-14. Show Less
LibraryThing member librariankristin
Three teens from diverse backgrounds (Italian Catholic Bella, Russian Jew Yetta, and wealthy Jane) experience the events leading up to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911. Told in flashback by the only one of the three girls to survive the fire, the reader is kept guessing until the end
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which of the friends will escape. Show Less
LibraryThing member ShellyPYA
Yetta and Rahel are strong voices in the Triangle Shirtwaist factory strike, but Yetta is disappointed when some of their demands are met but the owners don’t recognize the union. Rahel gets married and Yetta feels like she’s not really supporting the cause. Bella, who worked through the strike
strikebreakers, also leaves and moves in with them. The three are together when the historic fire rages through the factory.
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without realizing what was going on, finds out her family in Italy is dead and the people she’s been staying with have spent the money she thought was being sent back home, so she moves in with Yetta. Jane, a rich society girl angry at her father for hiring strikebreakers, also leaves and moves in with them. The three are together when the historic fire rages through the factory.
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LibraryThing member camcleod
Definitely one of the better novels in my research sample! Haddix portrays three characters in relation to the Triangle fire. Yetta wants to be like her older sister, a real radical, or so she thinks! Bella, an Italian worker, determinedly continues as her post during the 1909 strike. In one funny
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and poignant scene, she attempts to speak in the language she assumed was English, only to learn that she has actually learned Yiddish instead because so many of her co-workers were Russian and Eastern European Jews. Jane is a wealthy girl whose socialite friends introduce her to the lives of factory workers. Long after the inetrest of some of those friends has faded, Jane continues to seek out the Triangle workers and eventually ends up at the factory on that fateful day in 1911. Similar in many ways to Auch's "Ashes of Roses," "Uprising" manages to tell a compelling story while critiquing the underlying inequities of the system. Show Less
LibraryThing member KbookB
Uprising by Margaret Petersen Haddix tells the story of the Triangle Shirtwaist fire and how it affected the lives the three main characters: Bella, Yetta and Jane. Bella is a newly arrived immigrant from Italy. Her cousin Pietro finds her a job at Triangle and she dreams of sending her money home
Uprising uses first-person accounts from the three main characters to reveal the story of the Triangle fire. The three main characters are well developed and realistic and the reader will find themselves feeling a range of emotions for each. Haddix obviously sympathizes with her characters, and at times their thoughts become moralizing. The book’s subject and characters make it a very good recommendation for girls who like realistic fiction or historical novels. Boys interested in historical fiction may also enjoy reading about this event in American history.
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to feed her starving family. The job is difficult, the bosses are mean and workers are yelled at for working slowly and docked pay for the errors that come from their haste. After her first day, Bella is not paid because she is only applying for the job. She is furious, but does not quit because of her family. Yetta is a Jewish-Russian who works at the factory. She is a zealous supporter of the strike against the company, seeing it as her mission. Jane comes from incredible wealth and comes to meet Yetta and Bella by accident. She accompanies an acquaintance to demonstrate support for the strikers and then returns as often as she can to watch. After Bella is struck by her chauffeur, Jane takes her home and shows her kindness. Uprising uses first-person accounts from the three main characters to reveal the story of the Triangle fire. The three main characters are well developed and realistic and the reader will find themselves feeling a range of emotions for each. Haddix obviously sympathizes with her characters, and at times their thoughts become moralizing. The book’s subject and characters make it a very good recommendation for girls who like realistic fiction or historical novels. Boys interested in historical fiction may also enjoy reading about this event in American history.
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LibraryThing member schwager
I bought this for my classroom, but wanted to read it before I put it out. I'm glad that I took the chance to read it and although it is a little difficult for the grade level I teach I will be passing it along to others.
This is a compelling story with good characters which would appeal to
Emotionally charged read.
This is a compelling story with good characters which would appeal to
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adolescent girls. The best part of this work is that it was so historically accurate. It is clear that the Haddix has done her research, particularly referencing "Triangle" by Von Drehle. Emotionally charged read.
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LibraryThing member justablondemoment
This book was just okay for me. There were times for me that it dragged and times that you could not tear me away. The book was mostly about the workers strike. There was only a couple of chapters at the end that dealt with the actual fire. It was very clear the author had done her research and the
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authors notes at the end of the story were very interesting and educational. The one thing I didn't like was how she went straight from talking about the strike to ...boom...the fire. I felt there could have been a little more lead up to it. All in all good read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Thelaxkid
Great book! I enjoyed this book alot, but at some points it was boring to me. Near the end is when it really sucked me in, i couldn't put it down. The great ending balances out the not as interesting introduction. So in my opinion a great read for Intermediate level readers and above.
LibraryThing member abbylibrarian
A gripping story about three young women caught up in the strike of 1909. Bella has newly arrived from Italy, hellbent on saving her impoverished family with the money she sends back from America. Yetta immigrated from Russia several years ago and is passionate about changing the unfair labor laws
An excellent historical novel about an impassioned time in American history. I grew to really care about each of the girls and was sucked in to their lives of hardship, of tough decisions, of tragedy and triumph. Highly recommended.
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that keep her and her friends chained to a sewing machine for a paltry wage. Jane is from a wealthy family, but feels trapped in a gilded cage. Events of the strike bring the three young women together and they become great friends, all fighting for the same cause. An excellent historical novel about an impassioned time in American history. I grew to really care about each of the girls and was sucked in to their lives of hardship, of tough decisions, of tragedy and triumph. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member JRlibrary
A great story detailing the lives of three girls; Bella, Jane and Yetta who end up becoming friends. The author does a great job of making the reader feel the desperation of tough economic times and the plight of women before they had the right to vote.
LibraryThing member beckymmoe
Heartbreaking, but so, so good. A box and a half of tissues are needed for the last few chapters, though--be warned. Uprising is a beautifully written story that was clearly very well researched. I liked hearing the story from three very different points of view, and that the bulk of the book
Even the author's note at the end is worth reading! Instead of the usual "this was real, this wasn't" list, she gives further information about the strike, the fire, and labor, life, and women's suffrage in the early 1900s that is truly interesting. She gives suggestions for further reading for those who want to know more, including an excellent website, and makes many poignant parallels between this historic event and our world today. Haddix even made a trip to the actual building where the fire occurred; today it's fully restored and a part of NYU. While standing on its roof--the roof one of her characters will eventually escape to--she heard about NYU employees who stood there on 9/11, watching people as they fell from the World Trade Center.
It gave me chills.
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focused on the strike at the factory, not the fire. (I wish more history books talked about the strike, but for most people when they hear the words "Triangle Shirtwaist" they think of one thing only, and it isn't a history-making strike.) It was all too easy, though, throughout most of the book, to forget that two of the protagonists are doomed to die on March 25, 1911 (not really a spoiler, since the narrator tells you so in the very first chapter). The way that Haddix keeps the identity of the narrator secret is very cleverly done--I didn't honestly know who it was until the book was nearly over. Even the author's note at the end is worth reading! Instead of the usual "this was real, this wasn't" list, she gives further information about the strike, the fire, and labor, life, and women's suffrage in the early 1900s that is truly interesting. She gives suggestions for further reading for those who want to know more, including an excellent website, and makes many poignant parallels between this historic event and our world today. Haddix even made a trip to the actual building where the fire occurred; today it's fully restored and a part of NYU. While standing on its roof--the roof one of her characters will eventually escape to--she heard about NYU employees who stood there on 9/11, watching people as they fell from the World Trade Center.
It gave me chills.
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LibraryThing member KimJD
Grades 6-9
Historical fiction at its finest. This engaging story alternates between three 15-year-old girls in 1910. Bella and Yetta are both recently-arrived immigrants who work at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Jane is an upper-class girl who becomes aware of how unfairly women workers are being
Historical fiction at its finest. This engaging story alternates between three 15-year-old girls in 1910. Bella and Yetta are both recently-arrived immigrants who work at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Jane is an upper-class girl who becomes aware of how unfairly women workers are being
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treated from her college friends. The three girls meet at the Triangle strike, and circumstances eventually result in a close friendship. Readers will be appalled at the working conditions of the early 20th century that Haddix so aptly describes, and will be amazed at the tremendous courage that girls and women showed during the two-month strike of Ladies' Garment Workers. All three of the main characters are involved in the horrific Triangle Shirtwaist Fire of 1911. Twists and turns throughout the story will keep readers captivated till the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member libquest0r
Follows the relationship of three young women in the early 1900s: Bella, an Italian immigrant who left her family to come to America and send money back home; Yetta, a Jew who emigrated from Russia to join her sister and an ardent unionist; and Jane, an upper class woman who despite having every
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amenity is unhappy because she cannot go to college, marry whom she wishes, or spend any money. The book follows the relationships among these women and their struggle with women's rights and the labor movement. The story specifically chronicles the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory strike and fire, as well as the suffrage movement, although to a lesser degree. The book highlights the difficulties immigrants faced. Great dissection of how class, gender, ethnicity, language, and so on intersect. Show Less
LibraryThing member benuathanasia
A fascinating story. The alternating perspectives was a very nice touch; sometimes a story might be great, but wrecked by the main character. With this book, if I'm losing interest in one of the characters just wait a few pages and they switch! The build up didn't necessarily need to be as long and
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drawn out as it was, but it was still fascinating. Show Less
LibraryThing member mchappell
Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix is an historical fiction book that transports its reader back in time to 1911 when women, especially immigrants, had no voice in government, finances, living conditions, or work conditions. Three young women, a high society teen named Jane, a Jewish immigrant
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named Yetta, and an Italian immigrant fresh off Ellis Island, Bella become friends with a common goal: Overcoming the injustice of a system that demanded a woman stay in her place. However, the uprising the book focuses on is the beginning of big change, albeit change that comes through tragedy, for women in government and women in garment factories. This book keeps the reader glued to its pages from the first sentence to the last. Haddix's way of writing keeps the reader asking questions to which he must find an answer. The reader respects and admires the courage of the three friends, the determination in the face of hardship, and the suffering they endured to stand up for what they believed in. I would recommend this book to any middle or high school student who wants to learn more about an historical topic not covered much in our history classes. The riveting ending is a call to action for the injustices in the garment industry even today. Show Less
LibraryThing member fromthecomfychair
Three young women, one Jewish, one Italian, one rich WASP and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire come together. A great way to learn about labor strikes, women's suffrage and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. If, like me, you like your history dished out in story form, you'll enjoy this book.
LibraryThing member Manyalisa
Uprising is a book about 3 unlikely friends come together because of their connections with the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Although their lives are different, they experience the same struggles and feelings of fear of the present and hope for the future. A deadly accident occurs, changing their
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lives forever. You will definitely want to read this book if you have an interest in women's rights, fair labor laws, the early 1900's, and friendship at all costs. Show Less
LibraryThing member librarybrandy
The tagline on the cover of this book says "Three young women caught in the fire that changed America." But the book really isn't about the Triangle Shirtwaist fire, even though it ends there. (Actually, it's only the last 60 of the 330 pages, despite the flyleaf copy and tagline hyping the book as
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being about the fire.) It's about the unionization efforts and the garment workers' strike of 1909-1910, about suffrage, about the social climate of the early 20th century, about women who believed in making a difference. The characters are realistically drawn, for the most part, but the author seems to hold them at arm's length--even moments of high emotional impact are distant and reserved. (This is pretty typical of Haddix, though, so it didn't come a big surprise.) Show Less
LibraryThing member MrsBarbarino
“Do you know what it is like to work in a shirtwaist factory? In the wintertime, I’m there before the sun comes up, and if the boss wants to make me work until midnight, he can do that. What could I do to stop him? I’m just a girl. Just one girl. I can work, day in and day out, hour after
-Yetta
Yetta, a Russian immigrant along with hundreds of other immigrants, works long hours under awful conditions at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Yetta decides to join the fight for fair treatment and better working conditions by becoming a member of the newly formed labor union. Yetta joins the union members on the picket line and ends up meeting Bella, another immigrant who had to put up with the terrible working conditions in order to send money to her starving family in Italy. Jane, daughter of a wealthy businessman, leaves her privileged world in search of real meaning in her life and also joins the workers on the picket line. The three girls become close friends.
The strike ends in time, though little is resolved and working conditions are not much better. Yetta and Bella are back at work and Jane is visiting the factory on a fateful day in March 1911 when a spark from a careless worker’s cigarette starts a catastrophic fire. The fire ends up being one of the worst workplace disasters in history. Many do not survive.
Uprising is based on true events that took place during the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory strike during 1909-10 and the major fire that happened there on March 25, 1911, that resulted in the deaths of 146 workers. Yetta, Bella and Jane are fictional characters but the story of their friendship and empowering desire to make a difference brings the events to life.
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hour at the sewing machines, and then at the end of the week if he decides he doesn’t want to pay me for all my work, what can I do? He can make all sorts of excuses--‘Oh, I had to charge you for the use of the sewing machine--for the electricity to run it--for the needles that broke....’ He can make up any excuse he wants, but if he doesn’t want to pay me what I’m owed, he doesn’t have to. What can I do? I’m just one girl.”-Yetta
Yetta, a Russian immigrant along with hundreds of other immigrants, works long hours under awful conditions at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Yetta decides to join the fight for fair treatment and better working conditions by becoming a member of the newly formed labor union. Yetta joins the union members on the picket line and ends up meeting Bella, another immigrant who had to put up with the terrible working conditions in order to send money to her starving family in Italy. Jane, daughter of a wealthy businessman, leaves her privileged world in search of real meaning in her life and also joins the workers on the picket line. The three girls become close friends.
The strike ends in time, though little is resolved and working conditions are not much better. Yetta and Bella are back at work and Jane is visiting the factory on a fateful day in March 1911 when a spark from a careless worker’s cigarette starts a catastrophic fire. The fire ends up being one of the worst workplace disasters in history. Many do not survive.
Uprising is based on true events that took place during the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory strike during 1909-10 and the major fire that happened there on March 25, 1911, that resulted in the deaths of 146 workers. Yetta, Bella and Jane are fictional characters but the story of their friendship and empowering desire to make a difference brings the events to life.
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ISBN
1416911715 / 9781416911715