Uprising

by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Around her the workers were screaming out prayers and curses.... She herself was sobbing tearlessly....Her only prayer was still, "I don't want to die."

Oh, please, God, don't let me die, she thought. I've never even had a chance to live.

Bella, newly arrived in New York from Italy, gets a job at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. There, along with hundreds of other immigrants, she works long hours at a grueling job under terrible conditions. Yetta, a coworker from Russia, has been crusading for a union, and when factory conditions worsen, she helps workers rise up in a strike. Wealthy Jane learns of the plight of the workers and becomes involved with their cause.

Bella and Yetta are at work--and Jane is visiting the factory--on March 25, 1911, when a spark ignites some cloth and the building is engulfed in fire, leading to one of the worst workplace disasters ever.

Margaret Peterson Haddix draws on extensive historical research to bring the tragedy of the Triangle Shirtwaist fire to tangible life through her thrilling story of Bella, Yetta, and Jane.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, School, Middle Grade, Book Club

346 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2007

About the author

Margaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm near Washington Court House, Ohio. She graduated from Miami University (of Ohio) with degrees in English/journalism, English/creative writing and history. Before her first book was published, she worked as a newspaper copy editor in Fort Wayne, Indiana; a newspaper reporter in Indianapolis; and a community college instructor and freelance writer in Danville, Illinois.

She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey; Leaving Fishers; Just Ella; Turnabout; Takeoffs and Landings; The Girl with 500 Middle Names; Because of Anya; Escape from Memory; Say What?; The House on the Gulf; Double Identity; Dexter the Tough; Uprising; Palace of Mirrors; Claim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missing series. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.


Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.

Reviews

[Kajal Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Warning: tiny spoilers here and there :) *

I did the wrong thing in the beginning: I judged a book by its cover. After the first glance at the cover, I thought this book would be the most boring book I have ever read. It turns out it was one of the best books I've ever read. Usually I'm not a fan of books about women's rights, or slavery, or any book of that matter, but the author takes a spin on it, having characters that could be fake but are relatable to the many workers at the (real) Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Plus, what makes it better (or for me, sadder) is that this really happened, and it's sad, so if you cry at the end of it and your mom says, "don't worry, it's just a story, it didn't really happen." Yeah, maybe it didn't happen to these characters that could've been made up, but it did happen to the people that worked in the Shirtwaist Factory and it affected the millions across the nation. It's hard to believe that the events in this book happened, to many others maybe. But what's more hard to believe is that after the fire had occurred, some had to move on. After their friend(s) had/have died, they have to live with that and continue with their life, some may have even started over with it, have a new start, but that thought of losing a family member or a friend (but some can say that their friends were family) still in the back of your mind because of poor safety.
It wasn't until the very end of the book when everything was done that actually pushed me over the edge (and yes, I cried for a millisecond of my life), and that quote was: "Mrs. Livingston hugs little Yetta close and whispers into her daughter's hair, 'We will not be stupid girls. We will not be powerless girls. We will not be useless girls.' And for just a moment, she believes she can hear two other voices whispering along with her."
Yeah, that stung a lot. After reading the stories of those three young ladies living a difficult, brutal life, they still had hope. Even if two of them had passed. That was a reminder that that hope would never be lost, even in the times when you thought there was everything but hope there. And if those three girls, along with a million others that were apart of any strike for that matter, still believes that hope is still threaded throughout despair, then trust me, hope is still here; it's still there. It's everywhere.

[Melissa McShane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to help my daughter, who was assigned it for her high school English lit class. She needed someone to discuss theme and character with. This YA story about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911 is harrowing to read if you know anything about the historical event behind it. With three POV characters and a prologue that hints at tragedy, you know it's virtually impossible for all three girls to survive--and Haddix is good enough at misdirection that right up until the end, you don't know which of them it is. Harrowing, and heartbreaking.

But the real genius of the book is in accurately depicting the mindset of the early 20th century with regard to women. It's set at a time when the women's suffrage movement had lost a lot of steam thanks to the deaths of some of its founders and prominent members. I wonder how many young women today have any idea of how disdained and disrespected women of the time were: told they were too frail for college, informed that they had no reason to want the vote because their husbands would vote for them, considered unimportant labor even when they were struggling to support themselves. Haddix perhaps doesn't go into the kind of detail I would have liked to see about the socioeconomic issues that divided wealthy women and the poor, but that's not what this book is about, so I can't fault her for it.

The ending, in which the daughter of one of the factory owners goes looking for...absolution? Understanding? Even she doesn't know what she wants, except she knows her fortune, bolstered by the obscene insurance payout the owners received, is stained with the blood of the 146 people, most of them women, who died in the fire. In that ending, Haddix refrains from giving her (and us) an answer, though she touches on a number of possible responses. What we get, instead, is a greater appreciation for the desires that drove the women of that time to endure terrible deprivations and violence in hope of a better life. I would strongly recommend this book to teen readers looking to understand some of the events that shape the world they live in now--and adult readers who might have the same need.

[Bb]

This review is in the form of a poem:

One sets off from Italy
to save her family from poverty
to pay for their food, she must work good
at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory

One is not as satisfied
with the low wages and the owners' lies
the need to rebel, her sister can tell
Is raging in her eyes

One can ignore it all
live like every day's a ball
but with every urge, and worker concerns
It seems she should help with the haul

Three rebel, but when the story is set
A horrific fire burns the building, yet
one terrible truth, though in their youth
Three wish for life, two meet with death.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter picked this up at the library and after reading it, recommended it to me. Since I'm usually the one doing the recommending I thought I should humor her. I'm so glad I did. Another historical fiction novel about the Triangle Shirtwaist fire but more in depth than Threads and Flames. In this novel we learn about the strike that happened months before the fire as well as a more realistic picture of immigrant life. Haddix also allows some of her characters to perish in the fire which is heartrending, but also makes the whole tragedy more real. And later in her notes, we learn of fires in factories in the past twenty years where many people perished because of some of the same poor working conditions that led to so many deaths at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Including one in North Carolina in 1991 at a chicken-processing plant where 25 people died because the doors were locked. Many times in my life, I have felt like Haddix's character, Jane. Being blessed with so much and not knowing how to use it to help those who have so little.

Kudos to you Ms. Haddix for writing such a thought-provoking book.

[Virginia Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread 2023 I will never stop rereading this!

Watch my full review: https://youtu.be/UizYQ5ov7y4

Also by this author: Among the Hidden, Running Out of Time, Just Ella and more!

Likes:
~The characters were not only very well written, and true to life, but they drew you into their story and held you all the way through. Their development and growth through the book was top-notch. Despite Bella's tragic story, her sweetness and grateful attitude shone through. I admired Yetta's strength, passion, and drive. Jane's story was one of self-discovery. You can't ask for a better trio.

~I loved how much research and love went into this. Everything from the dirty tenements to the dangerous sweatshop, the picket lines, and finally the raging inferno was brought to life and leaped from the pages.

~At 364 pages, this was a quick read for me because I couldn't put it down. The story was so engaging and captivating. The POV changes were flawlessly executed.

Dislikes:
~I've got nothing.

Overall:
~5 stars!! This thrilling fictional account was rich in history and passionate in storytelling.


REREAD 2020: This is one of those rare books in which the characters are so real that you find yourself hurting and laughing with them. Belle and Yetta and Jane. A trio like none other. While Uprising centers around a tragedy, it teems with life, hope, courage, boldness, and love. Reading this book with the world in its current state has been like reading it for the first time. This is one of my top favorites from this author and I encourage you to read it if you haven't already.


Random Read: Absolutely thrilling story that you'll want to read again and again! I've always found this time period (late 1800's, early 1900's) interesting and I believe Haddix does a fantastic job bringing everything to life.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is historical fiction for middle grade kids. I'm clearly nowhere near the target audience for this book...(this was actually a Book Club read.) I liked the historical fiction of this, especially the attempts to unionization, the immigrant plight, and the boom of city living. I just had a hard time with the writing, but since it is suitable for its target audience, I can let that go.

I liked the 3 girls who were all having very different experiences in the same city. They had their struggles and they all evolved in some way. The ending was well written. I liked that it wasn't all gooey sweet and wrapped in a big fat red bow. So 3 stars.

[Kate Matson · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOSH! THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER! I cannot even begin to grasp how amazing this book is. The storyline and plot was PERFECT! I loved the characters! OH, that ending! I was literally bawling the entire time. Also, the writing style pulled you into where you couldn't put it down! two words: READ THIS!

[Ash says Free Palestine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tbh I have a weird interest in the Triangle shirtwaist factory fire, so I feel like I already have some slight bias for this book. But I absolutely adored it.

Whenever there's multiple POVs (this book has 3), I feel like you end up hating at least one of the characters or at least one isn't as well written as the others. This wasn't the case here, I feel like we got to know the three girls, Bella, Yetta, and Jane, very well. We understood their backgrounds, their motivations for doing things, and I loved seeing their friendship develop (and I got a little attached to em, especially Bella). I feel like well written female friendships are kind of rare in books these days. Especially ones where they're not fighting about boys or some stupid shit. Yetta and Jane dying hurt my soul a little, I won't lie. I was actually expecting Bella to die (not that I wanted her to!), solely because her storyline seemed kind of wrapped up and she didn't have any family to go back to. But Yetta had her relationship with her sister to repair and her goal of going to college (and she never got her dance with Jacob!), plus Jane wanted to go to college as well and travel around Europe and prove to her father she's a strong, confident woman. And yet, it was snatched from them.

Overall, I think this book has become an addition to my list of favorites. I'd highly recommend to those who are like me and interested in the factory fire, like strong female leads, and/or just enjoy a good historical fiction.

[Ann G. Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uprising is historical fiction about the Triangle Shirtwaist Company, in the time leading up to the infamous fire that killed over a hundred garment workers in 1911. In alternating chapters, the book focuses on Bella, fresh off the boat from Italy and desperate to make money to send home to her starving family; Yetta, a revolutionary who escaped the pogroms of czarist Russia; and Jane, a young socialite chafing at the restrictions of her pampered, meaningless life.

Haddix takes us through the strike that preceded the fire and teaches a bit of labor history. But the book is more than anything a social history, vividly immersing the reader in the lives of both tenement dwellers and proper young ladies in early 20th century Manhattan. The fire - when it comes, late in the book - is less the subject of the book and more a terrible culmination of events. And Haddix makes clear that it was not an isolated event; just as her three different heroines are bound together, the plight of the poor and vulnerable unifies people across time and place.

[Anaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

'BELLA, YETTA and JANE'!!
This book is an account of true history. It is a very inspiring read and makes, us girls feel special. It has a sad ending that makes you feel depressed but it is a very realistic ending. Their triangle may have never formed in real life but it is a very absorbing addition to the book UPRISING. Bella lost her family twice and it makes me feel really sorry for her. Yetta's protests and strike don't go in vain but sadly she never knows if they come true or not. Jane's wish to go to college is never fulfilled but Harriet, who learned from her gets to go to college. Margaret Peterson Haddix has fulfilled every wish in the book in a very different way, in my opinion. Bella gets two daughters and names them Yetta and Jane; Yetta: 4 and Jane: 2. But, even she know that she will never get two of her friends back, ever. Though, the end is a bit depressing and it is a very thoughtful ending.
'BELLA, YETTA and JANE'!!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book, and a great pick for Book Club. It's a fast, easy read that is very moving and compelling. I like learning about history through historical fiction, but I don't like when there is too much fiction, and the facts are changed too much. This story has the perfect balance of real historical facts (almost everything) and fiction (characters).

[Luci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, about true historical events, centered around the tragic Shirtwaist factory strikes and fires of the early 20th century. Great young adult historical fiction that enhances understanding of the labor movement as well.
I'll read more by this author.

[kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

hands down my favorite book

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great historical fiction novel for our joint History & English project! So much of what I teach is in this book.

[Samantha Linehan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read the author’s note at the end, I was impressed with how close to real events the novel was. While the story was a little fluffy in some parts, I really enjoyed it overall.

[౨ৎ˖ ࣪⊹ hanah ౨ৎ˖ ࣪⊹ · Rating 4 out of 5]

₊⊹⁀➴ 4 stars
for a book i was forced to read in school, the plot and characters carried.

[Laura Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever stood up for something you believed in, even if it meant making sacrifices? "Uprising" by Margaret Peterson Haddix is a historical fiction novel that follows the stories of Jane, Yetta, and Bella and their experiences of life in America in the 1900s. Jane is a young socialite with a growing interest in the Triangle Shirtwaist strikers. Bella has just emigrated to America from rural Italy, and works to earn money to send home to her starving family. Yetta is a Jewish girl whose sister inspires her to fight for change, and be a revolutionary. These three girls' stories become tangled together in a friendship that should last a lifetime, but with the result of strike leaving much to be desired, each day in the factory holds lies, theft, and danger. Can individuals enact change that will benefit all, or is money really the only God of America?

This book offers an interesting glimpse into class culture and the experience of women in the patriarchal 1900s, as the suffrage and union movements begin to gain momentum. The three characters (Yetta, Bella, and Jane) are dynamic and round, each with personalities that were developed fully. Their different personalities mean that they would be relatable to a range of personalities, and at least one girl should resonate with every reader. Many of the literary elements in the novel (symbolism and theme) go largely undeveloped, but my biggest worry was some of the unaddressed plot elements that, in the last chapter, are neatly wrapped up. I feel this was unrealistic, with many characters and events that weren't mentioned since the first half of the novel conveniently resolved in the final few pages.

As much as I truly enjoyed this novel, I really struggled with the radical choices that the characters made (especially Jane's running away for nine months). To a young reader, I feel like this part of the work offers radical change as a valid alternative by glamorizing their life in poverty. So much of being a part of social change though, and what I want to emphasize in my own classroom, is that little steps make a tremendous difference. I do think the book would serve as a great starting point though for conversations about social justice, immigration, workers rights, social class, and wealth in America, especially if paired with the social studies curriculum. This is definitely a book I will include on my bookshelf, however, I don't foresee myself using it as a teaching novel.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOSH I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I HAVEN'T MARKED ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS AS READ YET. This book made me love history and historical fiction. It also made me obsessed with the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and strike and the early 1900s New York City. Particularly, the immigration culture of the time.

I was trying to read every Margaret Peterson Haddix book in my public library (at the time, she was my favorite author) when I stumbled upon this. It's so different from all her other work and it's my favorite.

Everyone should know about these events, and this book is the perfect introduction to it.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book twice, and it always seems to get better. The story of Bella, Yetta and Jane seems so real. Even though this book entails a great tragedy, it is more about the girls' lives leading up to the Triangle Factory Fire, not the disaster itself. The book makes me think while simultaneously picturing myself as a "shirtwaist girl" in the 1900s. It's amazing how such a horrible event could make for such an interesting story of poverty, friendship, and loss.

[K Marcu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was a well written book. I bought it at the book fair for my daughters but ended up reading it first. A great glimpse into the struggles of immigrants trying to gain economic ground in America, and the abuses they had to endure. An important read for my daughters to understand what girls went through & fought for 100 years ago.

[Kirsta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, and it stirred up so many feelings for me. Anger at how people were treated, gratitude for those who changed things so I can live the life I have, etc. This is a book I will have my children read when they're older

[Jeimy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction that follows three young women (a socialite, an immigrant, and a union leader) whose paths cross at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. While the setting foreshadows the events to come, Haddix creates situations that soften the readers' hearts.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivid and tragic. Haddix masterfully brings the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire disaster to live with her three protagonists, Bella and Yetta and Jane. I read this in high school and it stuck with me, so that's a firm endorsement for this one.

[Sammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good story about the Triangle Shirtwaist fire. I would definitely recommend to those who really like historical fiction.

[Teisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written with a not-what-you-would-expect ending despite being about a historical event where the outcome is no mystery.

[Jnase1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not necessarily a historical fiction fan, but I enjoyed this one. It is a story of hope and perseverance, of fighting for justice, of loss and life. So much in one book!

[Isabelle Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book. It's a good way for kids to learn about the fire.

[Leslie L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excuse me while I finish crying... our book group read this, had a great discussion. Fast read, really enjoyed the stories from three different perspectives.

[maddie nicole {stay gold} · Rating 2 out of 5]

My class read this for school. At first, I didn’t really like it but by the end I did. The characters were all very diverse and unique, extremely lovable. It’s heartbreaking that this tragedy happened in real life. Definitely a good book to read at school but I don’t know if I’d choose on it in my own.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the description of this story is somewhat misleading, this IS still an outstanding story!

Only the last roughly 60 pages are about the fire. The majority of this story is about the labor unrest of the early 1900’s and more specifically, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Strike. The things that the workers were fighting for, including safe working conditions, are what eventually led to the fire, which occurred on March 25, 2011.

At the beginning of the book, we are introduced to two characters – Harriet and Mrs. Livingston. We are not told who they are or what their relationship is, but it is clear that they are meeting several years after the fire. From here, the story appears as if in Mrs. Livingston’s memory.

The story is told by three girls – two immigrants – Bella and Yetta and one wealthy New Yorker, Jane. Interestingly, although they come from different walks of life, they were all trying to escape their circumstances of the time.

Predictably, the book does move in the direction of the fire, but author, Haddix wrote in such a way that the story moved swiftly and did not dwell too heavily (any more than it had to) on what occurred on this day.

The last chapter of the book is titled, “Mrs. Livingston.” Here, we learn about the relationship between Harriet and Mrs. Livingston and what happened to the ‘supporting cast’ after the fire. I really like it when things are tied up in nice neat bows like this. It leaves me with very few questions after.

On a side note, I once watched a TV show where one of the leads said war has traditionally been viewed as having a positive impact on scientific medicine. Developments on the battlefield were later used to treat the civilian population.

The same can be said of what happened after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. Huge improvements were made in the way of labor laws and safer working conditions. It’s just too bad that so many people had to die before these changes could take place!

Fabulous!