The Story of the Triangle Factory Fire

by Zachary Kent

Describes the 1911 fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York, the conditions surrounding the disaster, and its effect on industrial safety after the event.

Genres: Nonfiction, American History

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a short children's nonfiction book about the 1911 fire at The Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York. Death is part of life and I don't believe in lying to, or hiding the truth from, children. But there is a responsible way to discuss death and tragedy with children without invoking nightmares. This book, which was published as children's (not teen) nonfiction, does not manage to do that. On the very first page, the text relates an eyewitness account of a teen worker leaping to her death out of an eighth-floor window. Other deaths are described in the same graphic detail (i.e. impaled on fence posts, fallen off the collapsing fire escape, trapped and burned to death with their bodies beyond recognition, etc.). The old photographs are difficult to distinguish, but some display corpses in coffins or workers lying dead on the sidewalk. So, do you want your children reading this book?

[Warren Benton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pre-building code enforcement. There were building codes, but after this tragedy they really stepped it up.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly informative children's book with pictures. Sparked a lot of discussion at bedtime reading.

[Charlotte Bernhard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a bit brutal (fitting, for the tragedy of the fire). It was also, however, a bit disjointed/difficult to follow details at times (I.e. the Greene St exit being blocked was explained, then people escaped through it, then blocked again). It is not necessarily entirely chronological, but the slight chaos mimics the chaos of the event itself. This is also because the workers of the 3 different factory floors each had unique stories that were told, so we jump back and forth on things like Greene St.

It’s a very impactful read! Ends on the more positive fact of new labor and fire safety laws passed in response to the tragedy. I’ve seen this book listed for ages 8-11, and 6-12. I’d suggest reading this yourself before reading to a child, to make sure the child is prepared!

Warning: this book includes some graphic depictions of factory workers’ deaths, included the mangled bodies of people who jumped from the burning building and blood flooding the streets. Photos include corpses in coffins.