She Persisted: Clara Lemlich

She Persisted

by Deborah Heiligman, Chelsea Clinton, Alexandra Boiger (Illustrations)

Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who stood up, spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Clara Lemlich!

In this chapter book biography by award-winning author Deborah Heiligman, readers learn about the amazing life of Clara Lemlich--and how she persisted . 
 
Clara Lemlich immigrated to New York to escape danger in Ukraine, where she was born. She started working in clothing factories on the Lower East Side, only to realize that workers were being treated unfairly. So she stood up for the rights of workers, especially girls and women--and she won, changing the way factory workers were treated in America forever!

Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Clara Lemlich's footsteps and make a difference! A perfect choice for kids who love learning and teachers who want to bring inspiring women into their curriculum.

And don’t miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Nellie Bly, Sonia Sotomayor, and more!

Praise for She Clara Lemlich :

"Intentionally and successfully inspiring." -- Kirkus Reviews

"An important addition to the biography section of any library." -- School Library Journal

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Biography, Childrens, Social Justice, Short Stories

80 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2021

About the author

Deborah Heiligman has been writing for children since she worked at Scholastic News soon after college. Since then she has written more than thirty books for children and teens. Her books include picture books, both fiction and nonfiction, and young adult nonfiction and fiction. Some titles: Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith, a National Book Award finalist; The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos, a Cook Prize Winner and Orbis Pictus honor; Intentions, a Sydney Taylor Award winner, and a picture book series about Tinka the dog. Her latest book is Vincent and Theo: The van Gogh Brothers. For more information please visit www.DeborahHeiligman.com

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great short early bio for a woman I knew NOTHING about! Love that these books are being done and done well! Clara Lemlich organized labor unions, fought for voting and women for most of her life. Now to go find some more books about her.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little intro to a labor organizer I had never heard of.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I'm fond of the books written by the talented Deborah Heiligman, whose research is always thorough, and I have long been impressed with the activism of Clara Lemlich, I was delighted to find this latest offering from the She Persisted series. Lemlich, whose family came to the United States from Ukraine to escape the Pogrom there, settled in New York City with her family. An avid reader, she began working in the clothing industry, working several different jobs at shirtwaist factories by day and studying and taking classes by night. She quickly realized how unfairly the workers, primarily women, were treated, and how unsafe the working conditions. She helped unionize the shirtwaist workers, and then when the other union workers failed to take action, she organized a strike that went on for months. It's clear throughout the book's pages just how much Clara Lemlich persisted, continuing her activism more quietly after marrying and rearing her children. The author relied on various sources, including interviews with Clara's daughter, in shaping this inspiring story. She captured the essence of this determined woman who saw things that needed changing and worked to make those changes come about. Readers will finish the book wanting to know more about labor, unions, and Clara Lemlech herself as well as feeling as though they have been in the presence of a dynamo.

[Faith Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this addition to the She Persisted series, we meet a young Ukrainian girl, Clara Lemlich, who grew up in the late 1800s. Because Clara was a Jewish girl, she was denied an education. However, her thirst for knowledge led her to secretly learn to read. As a teenager, she emigrated to the United States with her family. Working in a shirtwaist factory, she was appalled by the horrendous working conditions and became an outspoken critic. Using her strong personality and persistence, she convinced workers to strike and unionize. Throughout her life, Clara encountered many obstacles but overcame them to fight for women's rights- even as an old woman living in a nursing home until she died at the age of ninety-six. Included in this nicely written and inspiring text are suggestions for how the reader can persist in ways to honor Clara. Throughout the book , small black and white illus-trations augment the text. Also included are lists of sources for further information. This biography is certainly a worthy addition to the school library.

[Leonard Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was little, my parents had a copy of Fifty Famous Stories Retold, which I believe was part of their learning English. I read it many times as a child, and scenes and sentences remain with me to this day. Now I do see it as bad-old-days hagiography of brutish white men (William the Conqueror, Caesar, Alexander, Napoleon, et al.) though I've learned just now James Baldwin was its author. Part of me believes we shouldn't be writing this way for children any more. But there's an alternate view: that there's no denying children can be molded by books, so why not do it the time-tested way with new heroes. I am not sure how I feel about that generally. Here, the author is the brilliant Deborah Heiligman. I can see this staying with the child reader, for better or for worse, the same way Baldwin's tales about the likes of George Washington and Pocahontas stayed with me.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly Clara Lemlich's name didn't even sound familar to me, though I do remember learning about rhe Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and labor strikes in 4th grade, which seems amazing to me, because in the current political and educational climate, I doubt a most elementary school children learn about labor movements in a neutral or positive manner.

This was another case of the chapter book providing a taste, but not quite addressing challenging topics head-on. It also seemed weird and awkward the way that the author made sure that Clara always made sure to dress nicely and wear make-up. From what I, as an adult, can read between the lines, it was to leverage respectibility politics, but also to make police and thugs think twice about using violence because they didn't want to harm a "lady."

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the She Persisted biography series.
Readers meet Clara Lemlich as a child in the Ukraine. They see the difficulty she faces to overcome expected female roles and also see her determination to learn. Her family flees the persecution there and settles in New York City. Lemlich has to get a job rather than attend school to support her family. Heiligman does an excellent job explaining how Lemlich's passion and commitment for workers rights and equal rights developed and provides clear examples of her commitment and perseverance for her entire life.
The text is easy to follow and readers are offered suggestions for ways they can persist and stand up for themselves at the end.

[Rubi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a woman 😍

This woman did SO much for both women and workers in general! She would see something wrong/unjust/unsanitary and speak up, even when violence was set upon her! What a brave lady and one to look up to.
And when she married she picked a man who SHARED her convictions and they BOTH helped change the world! Couple goals 🥰
Great story to remind girls that we do NOT need to stay silent and SHOULD speak up when necessary 👏👏👏
Wish I was as brave as Clara. Takes a brave and honest heart to effect change, but I try where I can. There are lots of ways today to speak up against those harming or bullying others.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit I read this to help fulfill my yearly reading goal, but I’m so glad I did! It was sent to my daughter by PJ Library, and mirrored my great grandparents’ experience to a T, so I wanted to get a glimpse into what their lives might have been like as Jewish Ukrainian immigrants in NYC at the turn of the century. I learned so much and feel reinvigorated to keep fighting for people’s rights and make positive change in society. A very quick, easy read that is especially great for young girls.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The She Persisted mini chapter book biography series are perfect for elementary and intermediate age students interested in learning about the featured person for an assignment or just for an informative read about important women in history. This edition about Clara Lemlich, is well written and made me want to learn more, which is exactly what these introductory stories should be. Unfortunately, there are not many books written about her.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written for the elementary child to read or have read to them. Clara Lemlich immigrated to New York from Ukraine and became a voice for clothing factory workers. She soon realized how young girls and young ladies were treated unfairly and was determined to make a difference. She did help fight for women's rights! Excellent example for young people to hear about how one person can make a difference in a positive way, though nothing about it is fair or easy.

[Sanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 9-year-old daughter and I have been listening to the She Persisted series in the car. I think they are well done. Reminds me a lot of the Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls podcast and book. They give us good topics to discuss and I like the takeaways listed at the end of each book, ideas for how you can make a difference in your own life, the way the subject of the book did.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about Clara Lemlich from Ukraine who fought for the rights of women and children's workers in New Yoke City. She worked for better pay, shorter hours, better working conditions and unions. Excellent story. Children should read. Illustrations are delightful.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super quick book, but filled with a good amount of information. I’ve never been one for history, but listening to this book was a great way to learn about something that I never would have taken the time for before.

Definitely inspired me to listen to the others in the series.

[Amy Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an early middle grade biography, a chapter book, and a Jewish-centered story, this book is fantastic.

I particularly appreciate that it reads that “some women” won the right to vote in 1920.

Adding this one to my youngest Jewish kids’ book club list.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational biography of a woman who fought for the rights of workers. Better for those wanting something uplifting than a kid trying to complete a biography assignment.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super interesting well done story about a woman I knew NOTHING about. I love kids books for this. This is a great series.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS]

Union leader in the midst of the shirtwaist worker abuses and fire. She fought for justice all her life from women's rights to human rights.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew nothing about Clara Lemlich! What an inspiration.

[Ellen Wolintz-Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe I never heard of her before . Good book

[Danica is Booked · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one. Very inspiring and moving. I’ll be adding this to my to buy list.

[Deke Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and perfectly concise biography.

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars (I loved it)

My new favorite of the series. I loved learning about Clara Lemlich and they way that this book was written made me inspired!

[Rene Del Bosque Moncayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella cómo emigrate empezó a trabajar en la elaboración de ropa en nuevayork y luchó por los derechos de las mujeres y de los niños fue un ejemplo de esfuerzo y de acción

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another short story to celebrate Womens History month. Clara was relentless in her work to get women into unions starting in the early 1900's during the time.of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another great addition to the She Persisted series! I had never heard of Clara Lemlich, so it was a fascinating and a very timely read. Clara Lemlich immigrated with her family from Ukraine to the US in the early 1900's. She quickly noticed that the conditions in the garment industry factories were inhumane and over the course of her long life, she fought tirelessly for the rights of workers, particularly women, in the factories. She also organized countless unions. She leaves behind an incredible legacy on the rights of workers in factories all around the world. Fantastic read for any age.