January 1905

by Katharine Boling

The winter has been a tough one for Pauline and Arlene's family. Though only eleven, the twin girls are old in too many They know what it is to work to exhaustion, to be hamstrung by longing, to be blind with hate.

Pauline labors from dawn to dusk alongside the other members of her family at the local cotton mill, and wishes she could stay home like her sister. Meanwhile, crippled Arlene takes care of all the housework and cooking, dreaming of one day working at the mill and earning money and respect. Each is certain that the other has the easy life, but each discovers how wrong she is as this extraordinary novel unfolds.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Juvenile, Historical, Childrens, Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2004

Reviews

[Hamda_S_ 240526 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story describes the sufferings of teenagers that they experienced during the industrial revolution in 1905. Mainly, it talks about the story of 11 years old twins who lived in that period. One of the sisters “Pauline” labor in a cotton industry that was so tough, especially for a young girl. And “Arlene” her sister, had to look after the household responsibility that she hates a lot. They both envy each other, as they consider the other “other sister” is living in a better situation. Then, one day they realize that neither of them is satisfied with their jobs and they both struggle with their given responsibilities.
If you feel you are interested to know how they discover about the suffering of their jobs, you must read it because I am not going to tell you to not being spoiler. The story is interesting but the sequence used in it is boring somehow. But overall it is worth reading!

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first line of the book grabs you:

"I AM FULL OF HATE and that I know, is wicked"

Two twin girls live with their family and it is a cold winter. Pauline has to work in the mill with the rest of her family. She hates her sister Arlene for getting to stay home and be lazy all day because she has a club foot. Arlene hates Pauline for the opposite. Getting to go to work and see friends every day. Their misperceptions about each others lives are very sad. And the existence of the whole family is a statement about how many lived prior to the passage fo child labor laws.

it was a quick read

[Shannon Hitchcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

January 1905 paints an authentic portrait of daily life in a mill town. The book features twins Pauline and Arlene who are jealous of each other. Pauline works from sun up to sun down in the local cotton mill, envying her sister who stays home. On the other hand, Arlene cooks and does housework, while wishing she could earn money in the mill.The story centers around how the girls learn respect and appreciation for the contributions of the other sister for the good of the family. I think this book would make excellent supplemental classroom reading when studying the early 20th Century.

[Julianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked thisbook i just finished it

[C.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a chosen read aloud for me and my daughter who are reading historical fiction through World History. It was a heavy read for my 13yo who is very sensitive to people going through painful things. This book gave a vivid account of what it was like for poor families who worked in the dangerous factories (children too) toward the end of the 1800s and into the 1900s before child labor laws were put in place. Very eye opening details from alternating POVs of two 11-year old twins.

Disability representation
Strength of family
Compassion for community
Overcoming hardship

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very depressing look at child labor in a mill working family, 1905. It's an interesting twist, each chapter is told from the viewpoint of one a set of identical twins. Arlene can't work in the mill because of a birth defect (club foot that won't allow her to climb the spinning machines), Pauline has to work in the mill. Both imagine the other has the easier life.

[SmarterLilac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, which, at least differs significantly from a lot of other YA lit in that it features a serious topic (child labor.) The prose is just okay, however, and the character and plot structure borrow heavily from the famous (and better) novel Jacob Have I Loved.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grim depiction of the life of mill workers.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how this book is in Colonial times! It's really cool, sience we have been learning about Colonial Times! It's a GREAT book so far!

[Nabila · Rating 5 out of 5]

don't be decieved by the cover get to know the twins

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good quick read. Finished in a few hours. I liked the ending, that both of the characters grew and learned from their experience. Good introduction to child factory workers.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book after I saw it was part of the teen book club at our library. A great book to teach how our perspectives are sometimes not reality, and how kindness trumps all!

[Brenda Kominek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick historical fiction novel. But not a romance novel! 🥰 the cover says 10 and up, but I'm glad I pretend it before reading it to my girls. Theres a few things I'm glad I can now be ready for to answer questions. The mill owner touches the girl inappropriately.. its vague mentioned.. but mentioned none the less.. and "just because scripture says it, doesn't make it right" is a quote from the father in the book regarding a different topic. Which I was super fond of reading either.

[Noelle-Christine Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has grown up living disabled I immediately found myself connecting with Arlene. I understood her. Being able see how Pauline interpreted her sister though gave me an interesting look at my own life. Overall this book is an excellent starting point for siblings with disabilities. Or for any one wanting a good view of history at the time.

[Beth Kaminske · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this little story was well written and held my interest. I think it was fairly accurate description of life in a mill town in the early 20th century. A good story for 10 to 14 year old.To learn a little of what life was like for many kids who lived a long time ago.

[Erin Cunningham · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like this book particularly. Two sisters who are jealous of each other when in the end they both get to experience what it is like to be the other. Too cliché.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very quick read and tells the story of 11 year-old twin sisters who hate each other because they completely misunderstand each other's lives and hardships. There is an accident and the unexpected outcome is what finally opens their eyes. A good reminder of never judge someone until you walk a mile in their shoes.