Mother Jones: Fierce Fighter for Workers' Rights

by Judith Pinkerton Josephson

A biography of Mary Harris Jones, the union organizer who worked tirelessly for the rights of workers.

128 pages, Library Binding

First published December 1, 1996

About the author

In my writing career, I have published numerous magazine, newspaper, and journal articles and over twenty books spanning varied genres—including biographies, childhood history books, and picture books for children; two zany grammar guides for folks needing a refresher; and a historical fiction novel. I write books and stories for children and some for adults. I’ve written biographies on diverse people, such as track and field legend Jesse Owens, detective Allan Pinkerton, poet Nikki Giovanni, musician Louis Armstrong, composer Ludwig van Beethoven, and labor activist Mother Jones. One of the things I love about writing biographies is the chance to shine a spotlight on fascinating people. Sometimes they are more interesting than anyone I could invent. Especially interesting to me are those who overcome challenges and provide positive role models for children. In my books on childhood history (the Our America series), I explored what children were doing during various eras in history—using children’s diaries, memoirs, photographs, songs, games, and more. As a co-author with Edith Fine, we wrote two humorous grammar guides and a picture book, Armando and the Blue Tarp School, nominated for the 2009-2010 California Young Reader medal and chosen for One Book San Diego. When I am not scrutinizing words, I enjoy writing poetry, playing my violin, reading, swimming, snorkeling, walking, and spending time with my family. For more about me, visit www.judithjosephson.com, www.grammarpatrol.com, and www.bluetarpschool.com

Reviews

[Claudette Leckie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, the author, Judith Pinkerton Josephson shared how children from as young as 5 years old had to go out every morning, to work in factories under very harsh and dangerous conditions. Some a little older, would operate machinery with sharp blades and other dangerous parts. I think the author did a great job in outlining the plight of children in that generation. She also presented Mother Jones as a fierce and determined fighter, who would not take no for an answer. It is a great read for middle school age children, because it helps them to understand that when they see injustice happening around them, whether its bullying or other forms of wrong, they can speak up and effect change.

[Debara Zeller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not particularly insightful or reflective, but a decent basic biography of a remarkable woman.

[Weavre · Rating 1 out of 5]

Browsing the adult stacks, I didn't realize this was a YA title until after I started reading it. Less than a page in, I flipped to check, and sure enough, it was purchased for the youth collection. Do remember the slim biography of Abraham Lincoln you read in elementary school you read because some teacher or librarian told you to read a biography? Yep, that's the writing style.

There's no problem with that, of course, except that I'm not 12 and wasn't observant enough to notice that the book had been misshelved. I read it anyway, since the reason I'd snagged it in the first place was that I thought I'd like to know more about Mother Jones. Start to finish, this task occupied perhaps an hour or so of reading time. And, I really didn't learn much I didn't already know, as there's no depth or analysis available. I do understand it's a children's book ... but I disagree that children necessarily need be exposed only to superficial, concrete facts presented in choppy little sentences crafted from simple words. (Robert Louis Stevenson wrote beautifully for even younger children, after all!) This book reads as if it should be titled, "My Report on Mother Jones", and submitted in careful block print on looseleaf paper. It's not going to inspire any young reader to get excited about reading biographies in general.

If you're a reader, make a better choice. If you're a teacher or librarian, please steer your young readers to the kinds of stirring stories of human experience that make biographies a successful genre in the first place, and get this bland fare out of their way. If a writer can't make even Mother Jones' life sound exciting, there's a serious problem!

[Fv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and more detail with easy to read words and understanding where Mother Jones came and was coming from.

It should be a must read for 4th-5th graders, especially understanding about the child labor, that the author wrote about in enough detail to make ones heart hurt for the children, without overly describing the gross harm and damage that was part of the working children's bodies.

I cried when I read about the march and how so many cared about the children. Yet the ones in charge, even the president at the time did not care enough to even make changes.

One of the few books I can rate five stars.

[Jenny Mock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty basic YA biography. Gives you a quick look at her life.