Mother Jones and Her Army of Mill Children

by Jonah Winter, Nancy Carpenter (Contributor)

A stunning picture book about Mary "Mother" Jones and the 100 children who marched from Philadelphia to New York in a fiery protest against child labor.

Here's the inspiring story of the woman who raised her voice and fist to protect kids' childhoods and futures-- and changed America forever. Mother Jones is MAD, and she wants you to be MAD TOO, and stand up for what's right! Told in first-person, New York Times bestelling author, Jonah Winter, and acclaimed illustrator, Nancy Carpenter, share the incredible story of Mother Jones, an Irish immigrant who was essential in the fight to create child labor laws. Well into her sixties, Mother Jones had finally had enough of children working long hours in dangerous factory jobs, and decided she was going to do something about it. The powerful protests she organized earned her the name "the most dangerous woman in America." And in the Children's Crusade of 1903, she lead one hundred boys and girls on a glorious march from Philadelphia right to the front door of President Theodore Roosevelt's Long Island home.

Open this beautiful and inspiring picture book to learn more about this feminist icon and how she inspired thousands to make change.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Activism, Historical

40 pages, Hardcover

First published February 25, 2020

About the author

Jonah Winter is the celebrated author of many picture book biographies, including Barack, which was a New York Times bestseller. His books include Here Comes the Garbage Barge, Sonia Sotomayor, Roberto Clemente, and more. A poet and a painter, Mr. Winter divides his time between Santa Fe and a small town in Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Theo Logos · Rating 4 out of 5]

”My address is like my shoes: it travels with me. I abide where there is a fight against wrong.”

”No matter what you fight, don’t be ladylike!”

She was called “the most dangerous woman in America.” Mary G. Harris, aka Mother Jones, was a former school teacher and dress maker, who, at the age of sixty, in 1897, became a union organizer, community organizer, and progressive activist. She was a cofounder of the International Workers of the World — the famous Wobblies anarchists union, and her activism was pivotal in bringing about bans on child labor.

This excellent children’s book introduces this labor hero to kids, using one of Mother Jones’ most famous actions — her organizing, in 1903 , a march of mill children from Philadelphia, through New York City, and to the home of President Theodore Roosevelt in New York. This dramatic action drew attention to the plight of young children forced to labor hard in factories and mines all day, and helped to jumpstart child labor reform in America. Mother Jones narrates the story, speaking plainly and directly to children, explaining the evils of the system that existed and what she did to combat it.

The artwork is attractive. The text is easy and does not condensed to children. The message of standing up and combating the greed of the unfettered free market and the evils it causes is important. And introducing kids to a true, progressive labor hero they almost certainly won’t learn about in school is invaluable.

[Rich Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I've roadtripped around southwest Illinois, I've seen signs for the Mother Jones Monument, although I've never bothered to get off the road to go see it. I probably should. The more I've read about progressivism in the early 20th century, the more Mother Jones stands out as an important, if nearly forgotten, activist and "agitator" as this book puts it. Winter's picture book brings this struggle to life for children in a way that many other non-fiction picture books don't. My general complaint about current non-fiction picture books is that they usually are unaware of an audience. They may use complex syntax or vocabulary without clarification. They may hyperfocus on one instance that doesn't illuminate the cultural context of the subject matter or on the other end of the spectrum make sweeping generalizations that don't share why the subject matter is important.

This book doesn't fall into any of those potholes. It defines important vocabulary in context without disrupting the story. It shares both the wider issues around child labor grounded in class conflict while grounding the story in her Children's Crusade march. Even the end-papers are intentional with quotes. I understand that some may dislike the narration by "Mother Jones" herself, but I think "she's" speaking to kids from the page that gets at the idea of her as an orator as well as connects to the reader. Carpenter's illustrations are youthful, reflect the time period, but also are colorful and busy enough to keep a younger reader's attention. This embodies the qualities that I've come to recognize as what creates the perfect youth-focused non-fiction picture book.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, once you have seen cruelty, truly seen it, you can't just walk away. If you can't stop it, you've got to make sure other people see it.

This is a fantastic, stirring and enlightening story of activist Mother Jones and her crusade against the shameful child labor that was so common in Industrial Revolution-era America. It is sure to inspire some intelligent discussion on injustices of the past and injustices of the present.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rousing picture book biography of Mother Jones will inspire young activists to fight against injustice. From the end papers containing famous quotes of Jones (my favorite is “No matter what your fight, don’t be ladylike!), to her face of fierce determination, and the emphatic first person narrative, Jones’s fight to stop child labor is clear and inspiring. The text contains numerous direct quotes, and with many words and phrases in bold, I could almost hear her voice. She really is speaking directly to the reader. The wonderful digital and watercolor illustrations, with an emphasis on gray tones, give the feel of looking back at history. An author’s note, bibliography and photographs at the end make this a great source for early grade reports.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother Jones was a social activist involved with labor unions and getting fair pay and treatment for workers. In this picture book, she comes alive for youngsters through the use of her actual words and a first-person point of view. The opening pages draw readers in immediately as she declares her anger over the way that workers, especially children, are treated. The text describes the conditions under which those children labored for minuscule wages. Fed up with this treatment, Mother Jones rallies some of the workers and persuades them to allow their children to join her on a march from Philadelphia to New York City. Intended to draw attention to the plight of these children who were unable to enjoy a normal childhood or attend school since they had to work, the march eventually ended outside the mansion of President Theodore Roosevelt. Although Mother Jones and the small band that was still accompanying her did not get to speak with the President, her Children's Crusade opened the eyes of many to the injustice of child labor and eventually led to laws protecting children from working dangerous jobs or long hours. The illustrations, created with watercolor and digitally, enable readers to walk along the same route that Mother Jones and her followers walked and almost feel the force of her personality. This picture book provides yet another example of how one determined individual can make a difference in the world even against those with money and privilege. Back matter includes photographs of Mother Jones and additional information about her crusade. It is shocking to think that there are 215 million child workers in the world engaged in tiresome--and sometimes dangerous--work even today. It's hard to read this book and not feel grateful to Mother Jones for what she accomplished in the United States. Youngsters seeking inspiration for the courage to stand up against what is wrong or question the status quo will find it here.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite picture books of the summer. Mother Jones was involved in the unions and in strikes to improving working conditions for many. She also worked to improve the lives of children, marching with a group of children to show the terrible conditions that many children faced working in factories. It is, in large part, thanks to Mother Jones that child labor laws were passed and children in the US are required to go to school. This was inspiring and heartbreaking in equal measures.

[Lisa D · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful, inspiring, important & sometimes heartbreaking story of one woman’s crusade to end child labor in factories or coal mines. This crusade ended in a change in laws. Loved! Amazing story!

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've heard of Mother Jones, the labor activist. I took a class on labor history and worked at a textile mill museum for 4 years. I did a ton of research and I do think some of the stories about the mills were exaggerated to prove a point. I wasn't sure I was going to like this story but I ended up getting into it.

Mother Jones was a feisty old lady who was a thorn in the side of wealthy industrialists in the Gilded Age. In 1903, she gathered 100 child laborers to march to President Theodore Roosevelt's Long Island summer home. While the going was tough and most kids had to go back to work, the story points out how the march was NOT a failure illustrating the freedoms children have today and take for granted. Indeed, I found it ironic that a 14-year-old intern needed his dad's permission to use the lawn mower and was not allowed to learn how to use or fix the machines children younger than him once worked on 12 hours a day.

I really liked how the author and illustrator took the time to incorporate Mother Jones's own words. The endpapers have quote from various speeches and some of the text is bolded to show those are her actual words. The darker colors used in the illustrations highlight the poverty and dirt of the working class neighborhoods.

The book contains an author's note with photos of Mother Jones and a bibliography.

I suspect there were offshoot marches or more than one because I have a photo taken locally of some boys holding a sign "We want playgrounds!" That strongly resembles the signs some of the kids in this book are holding. I must do some research and see if I can find out anything.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother Jones is mad. She is furious at the treatment of children who work in the mills for a paltry 2 cents an hour to help keep their families from ruin. She saw the issue first hand and called the newspapers. But the newspapers are owned by wealthy men who were friends with the owners of the mills. So Mother Jones came up with a plan to create a protest march from Philadelphia to New York City. The march started on July 7, 1903. They got a lot of media attention, and Mother Jones changed her plan and decided to march to Washington, D.C. Mother Jones presented her arguments in every town and then the children put on a play. It took them fourteen days to reach New York City and six more to reach D.C. They didn’t get to see the President, but the march did its job anyway and laws changed to forbid child labor in the United States.

Winter tells the complex story of Mother Jones and her fight to stop child labor in the United States. By focusing on the march itself, the picture book stays sharp and fast paced. He uses quotes from Mother Jones in the text as well as on the endpapers which really capture the spirit of Mother Jones and her willingness to fight for others.

The illustrations center on Mother Jones in her black and white outfit standing out against a pastel world that is almost foggy in its softness. This works very well for this subject, showing the impact of a person willing to make sacrifices and stand up to demand change.

A dynamic look at the unique historical figure of Mother Jones and her continued impact on our world. Appropriate for ages 6-9.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mother Jones and Her Army of Mill Children by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. NON-FICTION/PICTURE BOOK Schwartz and Wade (Random House), 2020. $18. 9780449812914

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL – ESSENTIAL; MS, HS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Mother Jones was an agitator who spoke up against big business. When Mother Jones saw children laborers who were being treated poorly, worked long hours and starving, she decided to bring it to the world’s attention. Because newspapers were owned by the rich, they weren’t publishing her stories, so Mother Jones took a group of children and tried to march to see President Theodore Roosevelt. The march lost steam and President Roosevelt wasn’t there when they arrived, but Mother Jones helped bring laws into place that protected child laborers.

I read this book with my 10-year-old son and he was completely engaged the entire time. The narrative has phrases such as “diddly squat” and “riled up” that help describe Mother Jones’ emotions and make for a fun read aloud. I think kids today can’t conceive of the situations these children laborers endured and this book is done so well. I think it also encourages readers to speak up against injustices. Fantastic message for all ages.

Reviewer, C. Peterson
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you engage a child in the history of labor, organizing, and activism? Mother Jones and Her Army of Mill Children will inspire young readers with actual quotes from the rousing speeches of this fist-raising, rabble-rousing, world-changing Irish-American hero. Fun, fascinating illustrations complement the text perfectly. I am struck by how Mother Jones' fierce, irrepressible energy is captured in Nancy Carpenter's simple but moving watercolors.

Back matter includes an author's note with more information about Mother Jones' life, with enough details to round out a fuller picture of this amazing woman's years and a bibliography for readers like my son who will be inspired to learn more about Mother Jones and the movement to end child labor in America.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother Jones and Her Army of Mill Children is a children's picture book written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. It focuses on Mother Jones' Children's Crusade to introduce young readers to the history of protests against child labor.

Mary G. Harris Jones, known as Mother Jones, was an Irish-born American schoolteacher and dressmaker who became a prominent union organizer, community organizer, and activist. She helped coordinate major strikes and co-founded the Industrial Workers of the World.

Winter's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Using Jones's folksy voice, Winter whirls readers into descriptions of abominable working conditions, where children workers worked. Backmatter includes an author's notes about child workers around the world, photographs, and bibliography. Carpenter's illustrations adroitly capture both the grim reality of children at work and the irresistible hope of people coming together to demand change.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Jones leads a march of child mill workers in 1903 from Pennsylvania to the Long Island summer home of President Theodore Roosevelt. Though the march doesn’t trigger immediate action, over the next forty years, the cause prevails through legislation.

All in all, Mother Jones and Her Army of Mill Children is a stellar introduction to an important and ongoing social issue.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just opening the cover of the book, I was already entranced by the illustrations. The illustrations on the endpages are a great introduction to Mother Jones. I love that it has multiple quotes of the powerful things that Mother Jones said in her life. In most of the illustrations, Mother Jones stood out against the background of dark and nude colors. Mother jones was a leading figure in the fight against child labor. She believed the children should be in school and spending time playing outside instead of working 10 to 11 hours a day in a factory. Mother Jones was a leading voice in raising aware of the injustice of child labor. She, a few adults, and a lot of children marched from Philadelphia to New York City and then to the President of the United States to show people how this injustice has affected children the same age as their own book. I truly loved reading this book. I love that the author capitalized certain words and sentences to make sure the reader focuses their attention on their importance. I love how the book was written as if Mother Jones was telling you all about what she saw and did. This is a book I plan to have and use in my classroom. I think it would be a great way to explain what child labor is and the fight against it.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about Mother Jones - a figure filled with Vim and Vinegar for all the right reasons. I've heard of her before thanks to the magazine named after her.

She must be rolling in her grave hearing the debates in Florida to bring back child labor.

She was a woman who stood up to power. She saw how people were treated. Children were working in factories for 10 hours straight standing on their feet, looking old by age 8 and missing fingers from the dangerous work. These kids just wanted to go to school.

She was all for unions and helping people who had horrible jobs. These people did back breaking work to survive and had little while the owners were stinking wealthy off their backs. She was a real brave person who stood up against suffering and making life better for everyone. She considered herself an agitator. We sure could use one of those right now. I guess you are only lucky enough to get a mother Jones once.

The artwork is watercolor and digital. The tone is gray and dismal. It really hits the suffering home and on the head.

What a true warrior. I admire her.

Any kid interested in someone who helped change the world, they will enjoy this book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book biography highlights the work of Mary Harris Jones--also known as Mother Jones--as she worked in the early 1900's against child labor and other unfair and greedy practices in the treatment of factory workers. The book particularly focuses on the march she organized in July 1903, in which she led 100 children in walking from Philadelphia to New York to demand change and a chance to attend school.
Written in the first person and using her actual quotes, Mother Jones' voice of outrage comes through strongly. There may be some danger that the entertaining quality of the book will overshadow the terrible conditions Mother Jones was trying to highlight. Nevertheless the book is an excellent way to introduce the students to the circumstances some children endured in the early 1900's, and the history of protesting injustice. An author's note fills in additional details about Mother Jones, including the tragic fact that her husband and four children died in the yellow fever epidemic of 1867.
ELA tie-in: voice, biography; Social studies tie-in: labor unions, protest movements, women's history.
Recommended for middle to upper elementary students.

[Grace Tomlinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the journey Mother Jones took. She did not care for the mistreatment of coal mine workers, so she tried protesting for them. Unfortunately, that went nowhere at the time. Mother Jones then saw how terrible textile factories were treating children. She gathered up families and children to fight and advocate for their rights. Mother Jones and a large group set forth to go talk with President Roosevelt to changes these problems. The children wanted to be enrolled in school and play outside, not make carpets and clothes for 10 hours a day. By the time Mother Jones got to the white house, she only had three children and a couple adults. Unfortunately, they were told to get lost. Mother Jones thought she had failed, but she helped pass laws against child labor.

I would use this book in my classroom to teach my students the history of children. My students will learn that many kids didn't have the opportunity to play outside and go to school because they had to work. While they are still young, it's important for students to know the history of Mother Jones and all that she did for all the children that worked in factories.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book biography is vivid, memorable, and moving, telling the story of how a now-obscure figure in the children's labor rights movement led a march of mill children to expose their plight to the larger public. The author told the story from the first-person perspective of Mother Jones, and even though I would usually be leery of that device, it works very well here. The text draws upon quotes from the historical record, and the direct storytelling style emphasizes this woman's verve, determination, and hatred of injustice.

This story is very moving, and even though parents should be prepared to talk this through with sensitive children who are disturbed by the harsh realities of early twentieth century child labor, this is a great introduction to understanding exploitative labor and appreciating the efforts of people like Mother Jones, which have paid off with protective labor laws in the United States. The afterword makes it clear how much she helped accomplish and how much further we have to go globally, and this book is both an inspiration and a call to action.

[Abby Johnson]

This rousing picture book biography highlights a woman that many children are probably unfamiliar with, even though her work has had lasting effects on their lives. The subject of this book is her 1930 Children's March in which Mother Jones protested the use of child labor by demonstrating with a large group of factory worker children, even visiting the President's summer home. Written in the first person, the narrative oozes with voice that makes it really appealing to read "I've seen coal miners in West Virginia, covered with soot, lungs filled with dust, hardly being paid DIDDLY-SQUAT..." Although it may blur the line between fact and fiction, it certainly brings Mother Jones to life and I think this could really work as a classroom readaloud to inspire interest in further study or as an introduction to women's history units or labor units.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

How did unions and protections for kids working in horrible conditions come from? Mother Jones! She saw the fatigue, terror, and injuries that were happening when children as young as five and six were working in mills for 10-12 hours a day and she took up the fight for their ability to be children and get an education rather than dying in factories doing menial labor that wasn't advancing anything in particular. So she led an army of young children to showcase these issues and won rights to protect them including the ones we know today about when and how many hours kids can work at what ages in the United States.

This one included some fun humor and caricatures of Mother Jones that felt less scary especially with what those kids dealt with daily.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

The passion of Mother Jones is as important today as it was circa 1900.

She was MAD
'...miners .. covered with soot, lungs filled with dust, hardly being paid DIDDLY-SQUAT,
while over yonder the mine owners sit inside their mansions sippin' tea,.. and gettin' RICHER
of the SWEAT of the coal miners.'

(Humm...sound familar?)

She FOUGHT for the rights of children, their right to go to school, to play.
In the author's note Winter notes; "By law, American children now must go to school and
are barred from working in factories -- thanks in large part to Mother Jones. There are still countries where children work in factories, .. And even here and now in America, there are adults wh want to reverse childe labor laws. We need Mother Jones."

[Jordan Dakota · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a story about the activist Mother Jones and the March of the Mill Children of 1903. I think this is yet another important history book because children now aren't always aware of all the laws protecting them from going to work. Since the story mentioned 9 and 10-year-olds and implied that was who was reading the book, I'd assume I would use it if I were to teach 3rd and 4th-graders. owever I also know that some children develop their love for history early on, so I would put this in my book corner for those students who could remain engaged in this story due to it being their special interest.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prolific picture book biographer Jonah Winter and popular illustrator Nancy Carpenter bring to life the true story of labor advocate Mary Harris who became known as Mother Jones. This book focuses on a critical event in her life -- a children's march from Philly to New York -- to raise awareness about child labor abuses. It lead to radical changes in child labor laws. Book celebrates quotes of Mother Jones and includes a more complete biography with references in the end notes. A good social action title to add to a classroom collection.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possible contender for the Mock Caldecott Awards. A picture book on a topic I knew nothing about...it is just amazing what you can learn in the children's section of the library. The story about a woman who set out to fight against child labor. She is the inspirational figure who started with 100 children and in the end managed to get 37 of them through a 14 day, hundred mile walk to protest the conditions they were working in. The Children's Crusade did indeed focus attention on the plight of the youngsters and helped to change the laws regarding children in the work force.

[Charlotte Bernhard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars. Middle grade book targeting readers ages 9 and 10. Great full page illustrations! Discusses Mother Jones, a prominent figure in labor history, once known as the Most Dangerous Women in America and the Grandmother of Agitators, for her work exposing poor working conditions and demanding labor justice. The book follows her Children’s Crusade, where she marched from Philadelphia to President Teddy Roosevelt’s Long Island summer home with a group of child textile mill laborers, demanding the right for poor children to go to school & anti-child labor laws.

[Allyson Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mother Jones and Her Army of Mill Children tells the true story of labor activist Mother Jones and her fight for the rights of child workers in factories and mines. The book highlights themes of courage and advocacy, showing how one person’s determination can make a difference in the lives of many. Its detailed illustrations make it engaging and educational for young readers. In a future classroom, you might use this book to introduce lessons on the history of child labor and encourage students to think about ways they can stand up for fairness and help others in their own communities.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a new piece of American history from this book-- the story of how child labor laws came into existence. When Mother Jones witnessed the rich taking advantage of children, sending them to textile mills instead of school, she decided to do something about it. This resulted in a march from Philadelphia to D.C., and all over the Northeast, raising awareness about what was happening. I had not heard of Mother Jones before this book; I'm very glad to know now!

[Melissa Nikohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Jonah Winter and his literary nonfiction picture books. This one did not disappoint. Mother Jones's Child Crusade march influenced people and lawmakers to create child labor laws.

Winter does a great job of making the reader feel Mother Jones's passion for children's rights.

This is a great book for a read aloud that would create a lot of questions and discussions after reading. Which is the best part!

[Tamara Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review in 3 or more words: fascinating | delightful | inspiring

I can NOT believe I didn’t know anything about Mother Jones (other than the super-progressive periodical named after her.) I also can NOT believe her life story or at least this portion of it hasn’t been made into a feature film. (I confess I’ve spent a lot of time trying to decide who I’d cast as Mother Jones.) This is one of the finest children’s books I’ve seen in a long time and is worth reading no matter your age.

[Kennedi Foster]

Mother Jones and Her Army of Mill Children is a story about a woman who fought for children working long hours in factories. She led a march to help people see how unfair child labor was and to demand better lives for children. It is a great way to show how standing up for what is right can make a difference. I could use this book in my future classroom to have students think of ways that they can speak up for others when someone being treated unfairly.

[Claire Dannaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave Mother Jones and Her Army of Mill Children 3 out of 5 stars. It’s about a woman who led a march to protest child labor. The text is bold and dramatic, with lots of emotion. The pictures are dark and gritty. It’s longer than most picture books and feels more like a speech than a story. I’d use it in a unit on labor rights or activism. I would have the students write/draw or ask the students, "What’s something unfair you’d want to change?"