LITTLE MATCH GIRL STRIKES BACK

by Emma Carroll

It only takes one A powerful feminist reworking of the Hans Christian Andersen classic, from bestselling and award-winning creators Emma Carroll and Lauren Child.' Superb. About community and voices and standing up for yourself ’ Phil Earle, British Book Award-winning author of When the Sky FallsBridie works hard to feed her family, selling matches on the streets of Victorian London. After an incident leaves her with only three matches left, the magical strike of each one sees her tumble into visions of a brighter future. Realizing she has the power to change her own fortune, Bridie leads the match factory workers out on strike, achieving the remarkable through their unity and courage.A defiant and empowering retelling of the classic you thought you knew, based on real-life events, this stunning collaboration brought to life in glorious spot colour introduces a bold new heroine for future generations to treasure. 'Bridie is a feminist icon, with a story that is all too relevant. There is so much power in these beautiful pages' Katya Balen, winner of the Carnegie Medal'A defiant, elegantly illustrated story' Sunday Times Culture'A brilliant story of collective power that champions community and kindness' Abi Elphinstone'A powerful strike right to the heart, burning with courage, that should light a beacon of hope for young readers' Piers Torday'A timely read that might prompt discussion' Observer‘[Lauren] Child’s vivid spot-colour illustrations elegantly complement the fierceness of the story’ Guardian‘A masterful interweaving of fairytale and fact with social action and strong women at its heart’ Smriti Halls

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical, Fiction, Fantasy, Childrens, Audiobook

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

After years of teaching English to secondary school students, Emma now writes full time. She graduated with distinction from Bath Spa University’s MA in Writing For Young People. In another life Emma wishes she’d written ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne Du Maurier. She lives in the Somerset hills with her husband and three terriers.

Reviews

[hawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this retelling of the tale, brilliantly read by Imogen Wilde 😃

the three matches - looking into the flame made me think of djinn fire elementals, and the three wishes on finding/freeing a 'genie'.

and I enjoyed the play with the word strike - the strike of a match, the strike action, the strike back... 😁

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

The original Hans Christian Anderson story is rather horrible with regards to the ending; this is a much more satisfying story, because it ends with the match girl alive, having helped galvanize a successful strike at the match factory! Though based on actual history, the magic of the matches was still a statisfyingly integral part of the story.

[Charlotte (Bogrejser) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fin og feministisk bog - god historie, godt fortalt, fine illustrationer - men ikke mere end ‘fin’ og god underholdning 👀

[➸ Gwen de Sade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wunderschönes und bewegendes Retelling ❤️‍🩹

[Jason Furman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover of this book jumped out at me in an airport bookstore. I was exhausted, incapable of concentrating much so I judged a book by its cover and pulled this one off the shelf. I found the idea of an illustrated middle grade novel that was a fractured fairy tale that restored some agency to the match girl from the Hans Christian Anderson story appealing so I bought it. It was a short read, nicely written, beautifully illustrated and laid out. It did not follow the convention of telling an alternative and surprising back story to the unnamed match girl of the Anderson story but instead told the story of a different match girl in Victorian London who was upset about Anderson's exploitative telling and wanted to tell her own story attached to her own name.

The first half was excellent, depicting Dickens-style the difficulties of child labor and the terrible conditions of match factories and the disparities in Victorian London. Then it shifts into the dream or fantastical as she makes wishes as she lights her last three matches. The final part was fine, possibly worth reading but more interesting as history than literature as it depicted strikes against the match factory and the changes that followed.

Altogether, a somewhat imperfect combination of literature and history but a reasonably decent job of each.

[MrsB · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25*

‘we didn’t want people feeling sorry for us; we wanted a fair chance at a decent life, and to one day be able to tell our own stories, from our own mouths’

‘But that was London for you - home to the very richest, and the very, very poorest’

‘With such brave women beside me, anything, suddenly, felt possible’

‘I realised that people, working together for a purpose, could also achieve magical, magnificent things’


A great little story (with some lovely illustrations from the wonderful Lauren Child) following the real-life events of the Victorian England match factory strikes, but combining it with magic, fictional characters, and reclaiming Hans Christian Anderson’s fairytale in a feminist reworking.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loathed The Little Match Girl, it’s a ferociously devastating story that offers no one anything except misery. However, in this retelling you may feel anguish, but there is an undercurrent of hope and sometimes that’s all that’s needed.

[Ella Storey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy when I found out that my two favourite childhood authors worked on a book together and even more so when it lived up to my high expectations!

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mistakenly remembered The Little Match Girl as a Christmas story. It's not. It's a New Years Eve story, but reading it around Christmas still works very well, and it was a lovely followup to my re-read of A Christmas Carol (the Hugh Grant audible version). Both have Victorian poverty themes, and wanting a warming meal of a large bird. Here goose, there turkey.

Emma Carroll takes the basics of Andersen's Little Match Girl and expands it to a much more modern tale. She gives The Little Match Girl a name, a family, and a happy ending. It's a little obviously teachy, but still charming.

Lauren Child was an inspired choice for illustrator.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It would be good to have read the original story of the little match girl before this one, but it isn't necessary. There is background from the author and illustrator at the end. It's appropriate for young middle-grades, nicely written from the Little Match Girl's POV. This time, as Emma Carroll writes through the girl's voice, she wants more of the true story to come out and be based on real historical events. Although there's some magical realism included too. It's both an inspiring and heartbreaking story of those who toiled just to make the most meager of a living, while, as the maker of matches, becoming very ill from the constant exposure to white phosphorus. For young readers, this may be the first knowledge of how group resistance can be powerful! For an early reader book, it's full of interesting parts to discuss.
Thanks to Candlewick Press for my copy!

[Annabelle]

I really liked how Carroll mixed facts and history into this classic fairytale retelling. Gave it weight and made it relevant to a modern audience while keeping the Victorian charm! (Middle grade, 8+)

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very powerful read, great for ages 9+, a retelling that gives a voice back to those that need it most.

[Geertje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love me a tale of worker solidarity.

[Katie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book but the start could've been better.

[Jennifer S · Rating 3 out of 5]

A re-imagining of Hans Christian Anderson's rather dark fairy tale, in Carroll's version, the Little Match Girl doesn't die in the end (sorry if that's a spoiler for anyone!) but rather inspires some improvements in working conditions for the poor of Victorian London. A sweet bite of socialist propaganda.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Middle Grade historical rendition.

[Joanne Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic twist on an old tale. A story of strong women fighting for what they believe.

[AMANDA ADAMS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, timely, feminist retelling of the classic poem. Fantastic collaboration between Emma Carroll and Lauren Child. Perfect for age 8 to 80! Definitely one for the KS2 classroom especially if studying Victorian Lives.

[Helen (Books by the Sea) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written children's story set in Victorian London, based on true events and real people... really interesting and engaging! Beautiful illustrations.

[CorniHolmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bridie Sweeney lebt zusammen mit ihrer alleinerziehenden Mutter und ihrem kleinen Bruder Fergal in London, in einer kleinen ärmlichen Einzimmerwohnung. Seit Bridie alt genug ist, um „Schwefelhölzer“ zu rufen, arbeitet sie hart, um ihre Familie zu ernähren. Während ihre Mutter 14 Stunden am Tag in einer Fabrik schuftet und von giftigen chemischen Stoffen umgeben Streichhölzer herstellt, verkauft Bridie die fertigen Zündholzpackungen auf der Straße. Doch obwohl beide so schwer arbeiten und Bridie sogar eine der besten Verkäuferinnen in der Gegend ist, reicht das Geld kaum, um über die Runden zu kommen. Als es an einem kalten Silvesterabend zu einem Zwischenfall kommt und Bridie nur noch drei jämmerliche Schwefelhölzer bleiben, ist sie kurz vorm Aufgeben. Aus Verzweiflung zündet sie die drei Hölzer nacheinander an, deren Flammen ihr nicht nur Wärme spenden, sondern auch drei Wünsche und vor allem Hoffnung schenken. Durch die Magie der Schwefelhölzer sieht sie Zukunftsvisionen von sich selbst. In Bridie erwacht daraufhin der eiserne Wille, etwas zu verändern und ihr Schicksal selbst in die Hand zu nehmen.

Der Woow Books Verlag ist für mich schon lange ein Garant für herausragende Kinderbücher. Die preisgekrönte Schriftstellerin Emma Carroll wiederum konnte mich bereits zweimal restlos begeistern. Es war somit sofort klar, dass „Das Mädchen mit den Schwefelhölzern schlägt zurück“ bei mir einziehen muss und so viel sei schon mal gesagt: Der Verlag macht seinem Namen mal wieder alle Ehre, dieses Buch (hervorragend übersetzt von Marion Hertle) ist einfach Wo(o)w.

Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts hat Hans Christian Andersen sein Wintermärchen „Das Mädchen mit den Schwefelhölzern“ geschrieben, welches heute zu seinen bekanntesten Werken zählt. Etliche Jahre später legt Emma Carroll ihre Neuinterpretation vor, in der sie Fiktives mit wahren Begebenheiten vereint und aus dem einst kampf- und namenlosen Mädchen eine tapfere und starke Heldin macht, die Bridie Sweeney heißt und ihre Stimme erhebt. Herauskommen ist ein Roman, der bewegt, mitreißt und schockiert, doch allen voran viel Mut und Hoffnung schenkt. Und dessen Inhalt man auch problemlos ohne Vorwissen genießen kann.

Die englische Autorin beweist einmal mehr, dass historische Kinderbücher genau ihr Ding sind. Gekonnt fängt sie die Atmosphäre des viktorianischen Londons ein, beschreibt auf eine ehrliche, zugleich aber auch sehr einfühlsame Weise das harte Leben der armen Bevölkerung sowie die schlimmen Arbeitsbedienungen in den Schwefelhölzerfabriken. Aus der Ich-Perspektive lässt sie Bridie ein Stück Zeitgeschichte eindringlich erzählen. Man fiebert, fühlt und leidet mit Bridie mit und kann vor ihrer Entschlossenheit und ihrem Kampfgeist nur den Hut ziehen. Es ist großartig und inspirierend zu sehen, wie Bridie trotz aller Widrigkeiten nicht aufgibt und für das einsteht, woran sie glaubt. Wie sie die Fabrikarbeiterinnen dazu ermutigt, gegen die Ungerechtigkeiten und menschenunwürdigen Zustände in der Fabrik anzugehen und für eine bessere Zukunft zu kämpfen. Und während das Originalmärchen traurig ausgeht, kann man Emma Carrolls Adaption am Ende mit einem warmen Gefühl im Bauch schließen.

Neben dem Inhalt überzeugt das Buch auch optisch auf ganzer Linie. Angefangen beim Cover über die wunderbaren künstlerischen schwarz-weiß-rot Illustrationen von Lauren Child bis hin zu den Originalfotos im mehrseitigen Anhang, in welchem man mehr über die historischen Hintergründe erfährt, die Emma Carroll für ihre Version genutzt hat.

Fazit: „Das Mädchen mit den Schwefelhölzern schlägt zurück“ ist eine ergreifende, fesselnde und kraftvolle Neuerzählung von Hans Christian Andersens Märchenklassiker, voller Hoffnung und Frauenpower und mit einem Funken Magie. Ein eindrucksvoll erzählter und optisch gestalteter Roman, der sofort zündet und entflammt und lange nachklingt. Ich bin richtig begeistert von diesem Buch, ich kann es nur empfehlen. Von mir gibt es 5 von 5 Sternen!

[Artemis Crescent · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, wonderful, educational and relevant little subversive fairy tale retelling for kids and adults to read in winter, at Christmas, at any holiday. At any time really. It's a history lesson about workers' rights - and women's rights - that's framed within the perspective of a poor child who has read the original Hans Christian Andersen tale, who can easily identify with the Little Match Girl, being one herself, and who has experienced some fantastical phenomena and dreams too.

But she won't let her story end tragically.

Bridie Sweeney isn't a saintly, too-good-for-this-earth tragic heroine. She is proactive. She is determined. A survivor urchin. Her life won't be for the rich and well-off to feel sadness and pity for her, and then forget about and move on with their privileged existence, comforted in the knowledge that the status quo is intact. She doesn't want to die, quietly, in a fantasy, and out of everyone else's way. She wants to take action.

Match girls - match people - were real people. They actually existed, not just in the fairy tale. They had names and voices.

Bridie has a name, and a voice.

She wants to help others, including her mother and little brother, who also work in matches in some capacity, and are suffering for it under cruel and inhumane working conditions, and company abuse. She wants to help the impoverished women working in the literally poisonous match factory in London. She wants to take a stand, and fight for a better life for herself, her family, and other people like her.

She wishes to strike back.

By doing things like organising a protest...

'The Little Match Girl Strikes Back' is a quick day-read, with nice symbolic black-and-grey-and-red illustrations by Lauren Child, inspired by real photographs of the London match factory worker protests in the late 1800s. A lot of these photos are of poor children. The ending is pretty much a history account, moving swiftly alongside Bridie's story. The last few pages are another "dream" or "fantasy" or "vision" of hers, in the flame of a match. It shows a future, a happier time in her life, that she helped to make happen, and how much she can still do for others, for the world, right then. It is beautiful and almost perfect.

I do not like how the book very briefly gives us a sympathetic policeman - not a character, just a copper who whispers he secretly agrees with the women workers and wants them to be treated better. No police or similar authority figures in positions of power want to stop them, nor harm them. In a book about human rights and protests and driving change for the marginalised and disadvantaged and downtrodden. In a book published in this day and age. It is dishonest, disheartening, disappointing, especially in a children's book.

However, it is the only real flaw I can legit give 'The Little Match Girl Strikes Back'. It also has animals in it, including a cute puppy, so, softie that I am, anything to do with those, anything happening around them, I can forgive.

SPEAK UP!

UNIONISE!

TAKE DOWN CAPITALISM!

For a fast, educational, appealing, engaging, inspiring, hopeful and life affirming read to lift your spirits and faith in humanity at the end of the year, go ahead with 'The Little Match Girl Strikes Back'. I'm surprised the idea hasn't been done years ago.

Final Score: 3.5/5

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What worked:
The author artfully crafts a setting in the streets of Victorian England sometime during the late 1800’s. Bridie Sweeney must deal with wet underclothes and nibbling rats at night and she wears her mother’s tattered slippers into the streets. She hawks boxes of Lucifer matches in the mud and slush hoping to make enough money for a decent supper and a warm fire for her mother and little brother. Her mother works in the match factory where she dips the tips of matches into a toxic liquid, inhaling poisonous phosphorous fumes all day long. There’s a stark contrast between the poor families sharing a stale loaf of bread and the wealthy citizens dining on roast meats and tea only a few blocks away.
Bridie’s personality and sales pitches are especially entertaining as she uses her imagination and humor to attract customers. She paints pictures of beautiful lands where people can dream and let their worries float away. Bridie’s customers appreciate her enthusiasm and stories and some expect her performance before they’ll purchase the matches. Her energy is needed later in the book when the situation becomes more dire and the oppressed women are in need of inspiration and direction. Bridie refuses to succumb to threats and setbacks as she gets ideas and inspiration from her match dreams.
The author bases this historical fiction on actual events as she gives names and families of people who sacrificed for human rights. The end pages share notes from the author and illustrator about the actual history of Victorian England and the match factory’s squalid conditions and heartless owner. The plot doesn’t end with a happily-ever-after climax because that’s not how reality works. At least this book’s resolution is a little bit happier than the Hans Christian Anderson story it’s based on.
What didn’t work as well:
Because the plot recounts a real story, there aren’t any surprises or twists to spice things up. There are some parts of the book that sound more historical and factual than others. The dream wishes are interesting but they act as motivation for Bridie to take action. The book still presents an important narrative about a transitional moment in England’s history.
The final verdict:
This book will appeal to lovers of historical fiction, especially from England, with the match dreams offering small pieces of fantasy. The original and real conflict between factory workers and the cruel, greedy owner drives the story with Bridie’s character providing a human, emotional connection with readers. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot!

[Katy Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sequel/re-writing that brings context and social issues to 'light'.

It's one of the saddest, Andersen's Little Match Girl Story. Carroll makes sure her protagonist references this early on and several times, Bridie a close contemporary and fellow match worker. Bridie isn't Andersen's fated heroine. She may be dirt poor, sharing shoes in her small family, dreaming of earning enough for a decent meal, worried about her mother in the match factory.

But she's not helpless or accepting of any fate. The book gives the reader real insight into real-life conditions for those selling matches on the street, those making them in poisonous factory conditions, and all those Victoria families who had no welfare system to catch them if they fell. That alone makes this worth reading.

An aspect that didn't appeal to me but probably will to young readers is the magical realism, the magic matches that allow Bridie to see how others are living and spurs her on to 'strike back'. I thought this could have been achieved without 'magic'. But it's not my book so that's not really important. It works in the book and children will like this aspect.

I was glad to see extra notes on the real lives of workers, with photos, showing that while the story might be fiction, the lives like Bridie's and her family's were anything but. The actions Bridie instigates were also real and had real impact both locally and on a wider scale. Stirring stuff.

Loved Child's illustrations too, red/white/black was striking, and the whole book flew by in a few short chapters. There's nothing overly upsetting here for a primary-aged reader, and seeing children and workers take their futures and health into their own hands is both timely and something I'd want the next generation to see as something they can achieve themselves together, as we have done in the past.

For ages 8-12.

[Bob Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Little Match Girl Strikes Back" by Emma Carroll is a captivating and heartwarming retelling of the classic tale, infused with Carroll's signature charm and imagination. I immediately got my kids to read this wonderful book.

Set in Victorian London, this novel follows Lucy, a spirited young girl who finds herself thrust into a world of poverty and hardship after the death of her father. Determined to make ends meet, Lucy takes on the role of a match girl, selling matches to survive the harsh winter streets.

Carroll masterfully weaves elements of fantasy and adventure into the narrative, transforming a familiar story into a delightful and unexpected journey. As Lucy navigates the streets of London, readers are treated to a vividly depicted world filled with colorful characters and rich historical detail. From the bustling markets to the grandeur of the city's landmarks, Carroll's evocative prose brings Victorian London to life in all its gritty splendor.

At its core, "Little Match Girl Strikes Back" is a tale of resilience and hope, as Lucy refuses to be defined by her circumstances and instead embraces her own agency and strength. With each strike of her match, Lucy discovers a newfound power within herself—a power that ultimately leads her on a quest to defy fate and rewrite her own destiny.

Throughout the novel, Carroll deftly explores themes of poverty, inequality, and the power of storytelling to inspire change. As Lucy's journey unfolds, readers are reminded of the importance of empathy and compassion in a world where kindness can be a rare and precious commodity.

In "Little Match Girl Strikes Back," Emma Carroll has crafted a timeless and enchanting tale that will captivate readers of all ages. With its blend of magic, adventure, and heart, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

[Olga · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Little Match Girl Strikes Back" is a dazzling reimagination of the classic tale, infused with feminist power and social activism. Emma Carroll and Lauren Child team up to breathe new life into Bridie, a courageous heroine navigating the gritty streets of Victorian London. Bridie's journey from match seller to strike leader is not just a story; it's a rallying cry for empowerment and collective action. With only three matches left, Bridie discovers the magic within herself, sparking a revolution that ignites hope and change for her community.

Carroll's narrative is both gripping and enlightening, offering readers a glimpse into the harsh realities of life in the 19th century. Through Bridie's eyes, we witness the struggles of the working class and the transformative power of solidarity. Child's spot-color illustrations add depth and emotion to the story, capturing the essence of Bridie's resilience and determination. Each page bursts with vibrant imagery, inviting readers to immerse themselves in Bridie's world and root for her every step of the way.

Beyond its captivating storytelling and beautiful artwork, "The Little Match Girl Strikes Back" serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of protest and standing up for what's right. Bridie emerges as a feminist icon, her story resonating with relevance and inspiration. This middle-grade historical fiction is not just a book; it's a vital lesson in social justice and the enduring power of hope. Whether you're a fan of fairy tales or a champion of activism, this book is a must-read for readers of all ages.

[Dan TheMan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since I saw a German TV adaptation of the "Little Match Girl", I fell in love with the story. As sad as it is, it really touched me deeply and I classify it as one of my most favorite fairy tales. Reading the original fairy tale text, however, I was not satisfied as I expected a full story and not just a short text with a couple of pages. So when I found this version of the story, I was intrigued.

"The Little Match Girl Strikes Back" is a very quick read, but the reader gets a little bit more background information on Bridie, the match girl in the story, and I enjoyed giving Andersen's version of the girl a little bit more of a character. What I especially enjoyed about the book was the link to real historical evidence of how life for people that had to work in the match industry was like.

Bridie is a very tough and confident girl who does not step back from a fight against a big corporation. I liked how the magic of the three matches in this story intertwined with the fight for better working conditions and working hours. However, being the quick read this book is, it doesn't dive deep into the story or the characters and their fight could have been a bit more nuanced or maybe elaborated. Nevertheless, coming from the original short source material, this really is an improvement that I favored.

I also really enjoyed the graphics in this book. The limited color palette really catches the eye of the reader and Bridie stands out for what she is: An unusual girl with a fiery spirit.

4 stars

[Deborah Siddoway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an empowering re-telling of a Hans Christian Anderson story of an impoverished match-seller struggling to make a living selling matches on the freezing streets. Subverting the tragedy of Anderson's tale, this transposes the story onto the streets of London, where young Bridie, in her mother's borrowed slippers, traipses through the cold and gloomy streets intent on making enough money to buy a goose for dinner for herself and her family. This desire to put goose on the table invariably brings to mind A Christmas Carol, and indeed the book is littered with symbols of well-known Victorian and Dickensian tropes. Indeed, Mr Dickens himself make a brief appearance in the story as being the voice of social conscience for the people of the time, which I found somewhat amusing given Dickens's fraught relationship with the Danish author.

In this book, we have our young match seller meeting Annie Besant, a socialist, activist, and campaigner for women's rights and welfare, and inspiring her to become involved in supporting the match girls' strike of 1888, where the women and girls, who were being poisoned from exposure to the phosphorous used in the 'dipping' of the matches during the manufacturing process, went on strike against the unfair dismissal of one of their female co-workers.

It was an interesting enough read, with the illustrations in tonal shades of grey, black, white with splashes of red across the page bringing to mind Victorian industrialisation, with red-brick factories shrouded in smog, soot, and smoke. There is magic in the tale - and there are rules to magic. However, it was somewhat preachy, and the pathos of the original tale is entirely lost.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

A retelling of one of my favourite stories from childhood. I was super excited when this arrived in the office and I really enjoyed it. The story is great but the art is fabulous too.

This takes the traditional tale, develops the character of the little match girl, explains her sad and terrible life, selling matches on the street in the freezing cold, dealing with adults with bad intentions, the illness of her mother who suffers from the chemicals used in matchmaking in the factory, her dear but starving little brother and the evil factory owner. Conditions in the factory are horrid, it is a hard job, the money earned is little and everyone is starving.

And then, a little bit of magic happens, the striking of a match brings some magic. Bridie is transported to another world, and then it happens again and she realises that striking the matches can show her a better life. If only she could make it happen for real.

This is a beautiful book to hold, it has feel feel-good factor, and it's beautifully produced. It's a lovely story with interesting characters and plenty of obstacles to overcome. It would be awesome to read aloud to a class.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I loved the original tale of the Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen and always choked up at the ending, I also enjoyed this feminist and activist revision of the original story. It's a 3.5 for me. Set in Victorian England, the plot involves Bridie, the Little Match Girl of the title, and her efforts to sell matches on the street in order to earn enough money for a meal--she thinks about a goose--for her family. But she has competition, and various mishaps prevent her from earning the coins she needs. As it turns out, Kip, the boy who causes her so much trouble, has a very good reason for doing so. All of this is heartbreaking, but the story turns empowering when Bridie persuades the women who work with her mother in the match factory to strike for better wages and conditions. The book's title is clever, and the text is deeply engaging--a fast, emotionally satisfying read, accompanied by striking mixed media illustrations filled with reds, golds, and blacks as well as spot artwork consisting of matches. This version of the original story just might end up becoming a classic itself.

[Milly Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Longlisted for the Yoto Carnegies Award 2024. This is a middle grade - 9 years + - historical fiction novel which merges Hans Christian Andersen's story The Little Match Girl and a strike by workers in a match factory in 1888. Our main character, Bridie, sells matches on the streets of Victorian London- a little match girl. Her mother works as a dipper in the match factory - dipping the matches into highly toxic white phosphorus which causes illness. They shifts were long and pay meagre. We drop into the world of magic when, as in the Hans Christian Andersen story, Bridie sees not only visions in the matches she strikes, but she is also transported into them. Through the visions she sees a future that could be hers as she realises that the factory workers need to stand up for themselves, they need to demand changes. This is a perfect read to introduce the young to the idea of the power of unity and resistance. Bridie is a character full of determination and a desire to make things better for her family. I also liked the play on words - strike the match, lead the women on strike. A retelling of the little match girl with a more hopeful ending.