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LCPL Teens is Currently Reading

LCPL Teens is currently reading

Audacity

by Melanie Crowder (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading, historical-fiction, book-in-verse, great-for-high-schoolers, great-for-middle-schoolers

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LCPL Teens said: " This verse novel tells the story of Clara Lemlich Shavelson, advocate for women's rights and catalyst of the 1909 New York shirtwaist strike. Clara's Jewish family flees their home in Russia to escape oppression and violent pograms, for Clara only to This verse novel tells the story of Clara Lemlich Shavelson, advocate for women's rights and catalyst of the 1909 New York shirtwaist strike. Clara's Jewish family flees their home in Russia to escape oppression and violent pograms, for Clara only to find herself the victim of new abuses in America. Clara works for less pay than her male counterparts, can only use the bathroom at specific times throughout the day, and must endure abuse from the factory foreman. Each day, workers are locked in the factory from the outside with no escape and patted down when they leave to make sure that they don't steal thread or fabric. Clara wonders what will happen if there is ever a fire (reference to the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Fire). Anyone who speaks out against these rules faces immediate dismissal. Meanwhile, her traditional father and brothers spend their days praying and reading the Torah while she supports the entire family on her meager pay.

Nevertheless, Clara does not lose hope. She has always loved learning and languages, and despite her father's sanctions, she learns to read and to speak Russian before immigrating to the United States. After coming to America, Clara becomes even more determined to become a doctor, and she enrolls in English classes at night after her twelve-hour shifts. But as time goes on, Clara becomes passionate about ending the injustices against factory workers, getting more and more deeply involved with the labor movement. Will Clara achieve her lifelong dreams or will new ones take their place?

Audacity was shocking and achingly beautiful. Reading about how much Clara had to overcome awed and inspired me. The lyrical verse format mostly works in this one, although students unfamiliar with the women's rights and labor movements will probably need a little background information to truly appreciate Clara's story. Even still, this book can serve as an introduction to the time period, as it contains enough explanation to give readers an idea of the conditions that workers faced. All in all, this title is a great U.S. history curriculum resource, and fans of historical fiction will not want to miss it.

To place a hold or view this title in our catalog please click here. ...more "

May 16, 2015 03:47AM · see review