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Graphic Library Disasters in History
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Tells the story of the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York City on March 25, 1911. Written in graphic-novel format.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 31, 2015
I have never personally really enjoyed comic books. However, I do like to read the comics in the newspapers because they make me laugh. I also know that many people enjoy reading graphic novels and comics because they present information in a very visual, easy-to-read way. When I happened upon a book that presented historical events in such a way, I was intrigued. Could a graphic novel really encapsulate a historical event with enough facts that someone could really understand what happened? The answer is absolutely yes. This book was a quick read for me, but I fell as though I have a great grasp of what happened in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory and the causes of it. I also feel that the graphic novel format makes it more realistic because the pictures allow the reader to see the events as they happen to real characters, rather than just facts on a page.
As I already mentioned, I really like the graphic novel format and I feel that Miller and Barnett's illustrations really add to the overall effect of the book. In fact, since the book is a graphic novel, they are an integral part of the story. I particularly think that the care Miller and Barnett took with drawing the facial expressions of the characters is important. Many of the pictures are up close portraits of the characters and one can almost feel the frustration or fear or exhaustion of the characters by how vividly it is conveyed in the pictures of their faces. I also think that Miller and Barnett's use of color enhances the photographs. The fire is a very vivid orange, which brings a realistic element to how real the danger was.
This book would be wonderful to use with upper elementary grades and even on up into high school. I think that many 5th and 6th graders would enjoy reading it, especially since they could learn about history in a novel way. As far as using the book for instructional purposes, the obvious use is to fit it in with a history unit about the industrial revolution and what working conditions were like during that era. It could also be used as part of a reading unit and compared with an informational book of a more traditional format to help students explore informational texts more deeply. It could be used as part of a writing unit to give students ideas for creating their own comic strips or graphic novels.
As I already mentioned, I really like the graphic novel format and I feel that Miller and Barnett's illustrations really add to the overall effect of the book. In fact, since the book is a graphic novel, they are an integral part of the story. I particularly think that the care Miller and Barnett took with drawing the facial expressions of the characters is important. Many of the pictures are up close portraits of the characters and one can almost feel the frustration or fear or exhaustion of the characters by how vividly it is conveyed in the pictures of their faces. I also think that Miller and Barnett's use of color enhances the photographs. The fire is a very vivid orange, which brings a realistic element to how real the danger was.
This book would be wonderful to use with upper elementary grades and even on up into high school. I think that many 5th and 6th graders would enjoy reading it, especially since they could learn about history in a novel way. As far as using the book for instructional purposes, the obvious use is to fit it in with a history unit about the industrial revolution and what working conditions were like during that era. It could also be used as part of a reading unit and compared with an informational book of a more traditional format to help students explore informational texts more deeply. It could be used as part of a writing unit to give students ideas for creating their own comic strips or graphic novels.
June 3, 2011
This graphic nonfictional book about the tragedy that happened in 1911 is as close to the truth about history as I think is possible. It was an exciting, fast-moving graphic and I read it in 30 minutes... I particulary like books that go into history and I personally thought this one was going to be good, and all of the things I learned from such a short graphical novel was unbelievably surprising to me (I'm not a big fan of graphics, but this put a whole different view about them in my mind). This disaster was the deadliest industrial disaster in the U.S. history and if you looked in the back of the book (in the more about) you would find some interesting and sad facts... Those girls (can you believe it girls and 11 or more years of age?!) had to work there on such crasy conditions was shown exactly that: crasy, when the Triangle Factory fire began- but I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that there were more fires there but nobody did anything to improve the working conditions for these young woman. Some as young as age 8 had to work there! 146 people died and of that number 129 were women and 17 men... I don't know what to say, but this book was an awesome shower of how stupid and dull people can be and actually how implanted they can be from any feelings towards others...
I would most definitely recommend this book... You will learn a lot not only about history, but about reality...
Grade level: 5th-9th
I would most definitely recommend this book... You will learn a lot not only about history, but about reality...
Grade level: 5th-9th
February 11, 2010
Graphic Novel
Plot Summary: I have read the Maus Graphic novels and they were in black and white, and with smaller pictures. With this graphic novel, the pictures were larger, in color, and there was drama/excitement on every page. The book was very informative about the fire that took palce at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.
Main Character: Not really a main character - story talks about the female workers, their bosses, and some people who help the women escape the burning building. But one woman is somewhat of the main character - red hair, new worker at the factory, goes on strike with the other female workers.
Key issues: Life in the early 1900s, being overworked and underpaid, survival
Ohter interesting information: In the back of the book, more facts are listed about the Triangle Shirtwaste Factory fire. There is also a glossary, internet sites related to the book, other books about this event, a bibliography and an index
Plot Summary: I have read the Maus Graphic novels and they were in black and white, and with smaller pictures. With this graphic novel, the pictures were larger, in color, and there was drama/excitement on every page. The book was very informative about the fire that took palce at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.
Main Character: Not really a main character - story talks about the female workers, their bosses, and some people who help the women escape the burning building. But one woman is somewhat of the main character - red hair, new worker at the factory, goes on strike with the other female workers.
Key issues: Life in the early 1900s, being overworked and underpaid, survival
Ohter interesting information: In the back of the book, more facts are listed about the Triangle Shirtwaste Factory fire. There is also a glossary, internet sites related to the book, other books about this event, a bibliography and an index
August 19, 2012
This is agraphic-story approach to retelling of the history of the Shirtwaist Factory fire. It is one of multiple titles by Capstone Press aimed at making history accessible while accurate. It is vetted by history/library experts and includes direct quotations from primary sources sited on the credits pages. Back matter includes additional text-only bulleted notes, glossary, internet sites, bibliography, index, and suggested further readings.
April 27, 2012
Early 1900s, many girl worked in factory instead of going to school.They were came to America in hope of better life.They started work at 7:30 to 6:00 a night if they will late, they're pay will be cut. The time went quitting.One day a new girl went to first door the Mrs,Gullo said to new girl you can't go this door.
August 7, 2016
Graphic non-fiction is an engaging way to get kids interested in history. This introduction to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire could lead to some important discussions and to some more in-depth texts that I already have in my classroom library. I would like to own the whole set of these titles.
June 3, 2011
Interesting use of a graphic novel for this nonfiction topic. Perhaps would invite non-readers to read...
April 23, 2012
I like this book because when i saw the picture of title, i felt this book was interesting. When i saw information of this book, the book is talked above poor people work for factory life.
April 28, 2020
Again...they did a pretty good job keeping the story from being too much, and focused on the good things that happened, but this is just not a kid's story. It's tragic and sad, and would have given me nightmares as a child. If your kid is interested, read something a little less graphic and little more informational. Another one I would not have purchased by itself, but it came with the set and is not staying.
March 11, 2021
I never knew about this fire. Fascinating.
May 2, 2022
Nowhere does it display or describe what on earth a "shirtwaist" is. Could there any children who would not have such a question when they read about this incident?
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews