Trouble at the Mill

My Side of the Story

by Philip Wooderson

Lizzy lives in a cramped mill worker's cottage and toils at a loom for fifteen hours a day. Her childhood friend Josh is the mill owner's son and leads a life of luxury. When Lizzy's father becomes involved in the reform movement, Lizzy and Josh's friendship is put to the test.

Genres: British Literature, Historical Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2005

About the author

Philip Wooderson is an author, creative editor, and co-director of the Limnisa centre for writers in Greece.
His fiction for children and young adults has been published in the UK and US, and translated in several languages. His series, the Nile Files, was used by the Times to promote the Tutankhamun exhibition at the O2 Centre in London.
He graduated in history at the University of Sussex.
More recently he has turned his attention to adult historical fiction. His latest work, Acropolis, a novel in two volumes, Curse of Athena and Wind of Hermes are now available in paperback and kindle editions.

Reviews

[Kimberly Hallahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading the story from two different perspectives.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love reading historical fiction. I especially like how accessible the 'My Story' and 'My Australian Story' series are for readers young and old. The 'My Side of the Story' series presents historical fiction from the viewpoint of not one but two young people. In this case, we see life in a nineteenth century Lancashire cotton mill from the viewpoint of Lizzie Sprott and her family - impoverished workers ground down by their life as mill-workers. Once finished with Lizzie's version of the story, we read how Josh Grumstone, the mill-owner's son, perceives his world and Lizzie's world too. 'Trouble at the Mill' is a very satisfying read, with a conclusion that gives some hope.

[Grada (BoekenTrol) · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book that offers an opportunity to see two sides of the same period in time. The viewing point is of two young people, who differ in opinion, class, upbringing, all you can think of.

[Jess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Since I enjoyed reading the Salem Witch Trial type of this book, so I picked up this one for a quick read.
I love North and South and the historical setting, but I did not like reading this book. It is depressing granted. The first part of Lizzy's story kept my attention, but then it became too back and forth to be either interesting or captivating. By the time I turned it over to "hear the other side of the story" I had interest completely. Sorry

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another "my side of the story" book, this time set in a cotton mill in Britain's north in the 19th century at the time of the strikes for fairer conditions. First side is from Lizzy who works in the mill to support her family, second side is from her old friend Josh, the mill owner's toffee-nosed son. Very enjoyable.

[greenplanet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personally, I thought the story itself was rather slow, BUT it was interesting to get a different story from another character's point of view while the other story was going on. Wait, that sounds really confusing, but it's not, I promise! Try it out and see what you think. I haven't read it in a while anyway. :)

[Jen]

an interesting book
you read one persons account of what happened in the story from her perspective
then you flip the book around and get another persons point of view
in this case a poor person and a rich boy

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only made it to page 70 if that tells you anything.