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The Uprising: Three Young Women Caught in the Fire That Changed America by Margaret Peterson Haddix
finches_and_lilacs's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I found the message to be a bit dramatic at times, but it was a good read and I got a good cry out of it.
rachelfreedman's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
krxxtxn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
vermilliontoad's review against another edition
5.0
first read this book years ago and it still lives in my mind rent free.
acraftyescape's review against another edition
5.0
This was an indelible book! The author did a great job of making the reader feel like you were there. It’s not an easy read, however it was an important read. A beautiful story of three girls.
kerrycat's review against another edition
4.0
Knowing the ending didn't make it any easier - Haddix left very little to the imagination.
lanterns's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
vhenderson93's review against another edition
5.0
Reread 2023 I will never stop rereading this!
Watch my full review: https://youtu.be/UizYQ5ov7y4
Also by this author: [b:Among the Hidden|227651|Among the Hidden (Shadow Children, #1)|Margaret Peterson Haddix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388382796l/227651._SX50_.jpg|1210896], [b:Running Out of Time|227658|Running Out of Time|Margaret Peterson Haddix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408913584l/227658._SY75_.jpg|888455], [b:Just Ella|162719|Just Ella (The Palace Chronicles, #1)|Margaret Peterson Haddix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327897599l/162719._SY75_.jpg|2979854] and more!
Likes:
~The characters were not only very well written, and true to life, but they drew you into their story and held you all the way through. Their development and growth through the book was top-notch. Despite Bella's tragic story, her sweetness and grateful attitude shone through. I admired Yetta's strength, passion, and drive. Jane's story was one of self-discovery. You can't ask for a better trio.
~I loved how much research and love went into this. Everything from the dirty tenements to the dangerous sweatshop, the picket lines, and finally the raging inferno was brought to life and leaped from the pages.
~At 364 pages, this was a quick read for me because I couldn't put it down. The story was so engaging and captivating. The POV changes were flawlessly executed.
Dislikes:
~I've got nothing.
Overall:
~5 stars!! This thrilling fictional account was rich in history and passionate in storytelling.
REREAD 2020: This is one of those rare books in which the characters are so real that you find yourself hurting and laughing with them. Belle and Yetta and Jane. A trio like none other. While Uprising centers around a tragedy, it teems with life, hope, courage, boldness, and love. Reading this book with the world in its current state has been like reading it for the first time. This is one of my top favorites from this author and I encourage you to read it if you haven't already.
Random Read: Absolutely thrilling story that you'll want to read again and again! I've always found this time period (late 1800's, early 1900's) interesting and I believe Haddix does a fantastic job bringing everything to life.
Watch my full review: https://youtu.be/UizYQ5ov7y4
Also by this author: [b:Among the Hidden|227651|Among the Hidden (Shadow Children, #1)|Margaret Peterson Haddix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388382796l/227651._SX50_.jpg|1210896], [b:Running Out of Time|227658|Running Out of Time|Margaret Peterson Haddix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408913584l/227658._SY75_.jpg|888455], [b:Just Ella|162719|Just Ella (The Palace Chronicles, #1)|Margaret Peterson Haddix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327897599l/162719._SY75_.jpg|2979854] and more!
Likes:
~The characters were not only very well written, and true to life, but they drew you into their story and held you all the way through. Their development and growth through the book was top-notch. Despite Bella's tragic story, her sweetness and grateful attitude shone through. I admired Yetta's strength, passion, and drive. Jane's story was one of self-discovery. You can't ask for a better trio.
~I loved how much research and love went into this. Everything from the dirty tenements to the dangerous sweatshop, the picket lines, and finally the raging inferno was brought to life and leaped from the pages.
~At 364 pages, this was a quick read for me because I couldn't put it down. The story was so engaging and captivating. The POV changes were flawlessly executed.
Dislikes:
~I've got nothing.
Overall:
~5 stars!! This thrilling fictional account was rich in history and passionate in storytelling.
REREAD 2020: This is one of those rare books in which the characters are so real that you find yourself hurting and laughing with them. Belle and Yetta and Jane. A trio like none other. While Uprising centers around a tragedy, it teems with life, hope, courage, boldness, and love. Reading this book with the world in its current state has been like reading it for the first time. This is one of my top favorites from this author and I encourage you to read it if you haven't already.
Random Read: Absolutely thrilling story that you'll want to read again and again! I've always found this time period (late 1800's, early 1900's) interesting and I believe Haddix does a fantastic job bringing everything to life.
cornmaven's review against another edition
5.0
I have just started this book and it looks to be a good one. The strike the year before does figure in strongly to the catastrophe so it's good that Haddix is taking it that far back. Ever since I heard of this event, I have been fascinated by it. This definitely could be paired with historical news accounts of the fire and the strike, labor tensions at the time in general, along with a reading of the novel Triangle, by Katharine Weber, which is an adult take (this would be for HS students and above because there's some sexual assault in it).
In one of my library school classes I had to do a short assignment on the fire, from a management standpoint, and found myself spending a whole lot of time reading about it. It is interesting to note that the NYFD still mourns and honors the dead by holding a ceremony with a ladder truck every year at the site.
The labor strike and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire encompass issues of management abuse, greed, ethnic/foreign bigotry, and racism - I think that is why they are so fascinating. Some say they also reflect hatred of women, but I don't think so - I think if the factory had been filled with immigrant men, it wouldn't have made much difference to those in charge, as long as they could keep control and make profits. We see that in the meatpacking industry, where severe injuries to illegal workers are commonplace because no one can complain, and those worker populations are highly male.
The Triangle fire is still the worst industrial accident on the books as far as I know. The issue of whether little girls were present is still not fully resolved. If you are inclined to look further, there was a similar incident at a chicken processing plant in 1991 in North Carolina, where 25 died and 54 were injured, and Haddix mentions this in her notes. We never learn, as abuse of workers continues.
The books about the strike and the fire make for great springboards of discussion for middle, high, and college students on several levels.
************
Final Update - great book, especially the chapters covering the fire - the chaos and helplessness was well done. I liked the way Haddix concluded with the inner conflict experienced by the survivors long after the event. Because I think we are still conflicted about things like this - just move the issue over the child labor in China, diamond mines, etc.
In one of my library school classes I had to do a short assignment on the fire, from a management standpoint, and found myself spending a whole lot of time reading about it. It is interesting to note that the NYFD still mourns and honors the dead by holding a ceremony with a ladder truck every year at the site.
The labor strike and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire encompass issues of management abuse, greed, ethnic/foreign bigotry, and racism - I think that is why they are so fascinating. Some say they also reflect hatred of women, but I don't think so - I think if the factory had been filled with immigrant men, it wouldn't have made much difference to those in charge, as long as they could keep control and make profits. We see that in the meatpacking industry, where severe injuries to illegal workers are commonplace because no one can complain, and those worker populations are highly male.
The Triangle fire is still the worst industrial accident on the books as far as I know. The issue of whether little girls were present is still not fully resolved. If you are inclined to look further, there was a similar incident at a chicken processing plant in 1991 in North Carolina, where 25 died and 54 were injured, and Haddix mentions this in her notes. We never learn, as abuse of workers continues.
The books about the strike and the fire make for great springboards of discussion for middle, high, and college students on several levels.
************
Final Update - great book, especially the chapters covering the fire - the chaos and helplessness was well done. I liked the way Haddix concluded with the inner conflict experienced by the survivors long after the event. Because I think we are still conflicted about things like this - just move the issue over the child labor in China, diamond mines, etc.
user613's review against another edition
4.0
This is the sort of book that when you finish, all you can do is sit back and say - wow.
It's an intriguing historical read. Equal parts tragic and heartwarming, we follow three girls, as they become friends, and eventually meet a horrifying, tragic fate. (No, this is not a spoiler. I didn’t say what happened, or to who it happened). It's written in a gripping way, even as we lead up to that fateful day, and though there are a few details that might not quite hold under closer inspection, it's a novel that I consider worthwhile reading all the same.
As a religious Jew, I had a few issues with Yetta’s narration. In addition to the larger story, this also reads as the sad story of a Jewish girl becoming assimilated and leaving behind her old beliefs. The fact that it’s probably historically accurate doesn’t make it any less sad. There are conversations about the Jewish Messiah, the Sabbath, and men’s view of women. Unfortunately, those conversations didn’t quite align with the religion I know, so I’d recommend learning more if you find this interesting, and not taking these as absolute facts.
This novel has so much going for it. It speaks about issues of women equality and followed three women, even as they fight to allow themselves their rights, which I enjoyed reading about, despite my initial hesitations. It also tells of a friendship between three girls from different worlds, that become close as sister, which again, was surprisingly interesting. And, the period the novel takes place was an influential time in history, and it tells the sequence of events leading to the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, which I enjoyed learning about. And the suspense... Romance wasn’t integral to the plot, and yet, I didn’t once miss it. I read most of the story with bated breath and wasn’t sure what would happen until the very end.
And so, despite having some hesitations, I think this is a novel everyone should read once in their lives.
Content:
Religion: Yetta and Rahel are Jewish. They speak about giving up kosher and Sabbath candles and bring in references to Judaism, mostly about how Jewish men look down at women, never ask for their opinions and pray daily "thank you, God, for not making me a woman." Over the course of the story, they slowly leave their religion behind.
They joke about Messiah and how Christians have Jesus but Jews are still waiting. Yetta says her dad would know why Jews can’t share with the Christians but she doesn't know because girls “weren't supposed to learn much about religion. We were just supposed to keep the house and fix the food and earn the money so the men could be holy enough for all of us. but I think... I think there are different way to wait for the Messiah, different ways to be holy. I don’t think anyone understands God enough."
Romance:
Bella fantasizes about kissing a man that who she wants to marry. In one scene, strikers are beaten up by a group of prostitutes, who “sell their bodies”. No more details are given about them.
A security guard pats Bella’s clothing, to find stolen items, and she describes how "the guard began sliding his hands along her sleeves, then reaching for her waist, even her breasts..." at which point she screams and pulls away and is allowed to go. In a later scene she thinks about the shame she felt.
Violence:
This novel has some violent scenes, including talks of pogroms, Rahel watched people light others on fire, being beaten, starving, and being trapped in a burning factory with no way out, which causes many to die.
It's an intriguing historical read. Equal parts tragic and heartwarming, we follow three girls, as they become friends, and eventually meet a horrifying, tragic fate. (No, this is not a spoiler. I didn’t say what happened, or to who it happened). It's written in a gripping way, even as we lead up to that fateful day, and though there are a few details that might not quite hold under closer inspection, it's a novel that I consider worthwhile reading all the same.
As a religious Jew, I had a few issues with Yetta’s narration. In addition to the larger story, this also reads as the sad story of a Jewish girl becoming assimilated and leaving behind her old beliefs. The fact that it’s probably historically accurate doesn’t make it any less sad. There are conversations about the Jewish Messiah, the Sabbath, and men’s view of women. Unfortunately, those conversations didn’t quite align with the religion I know, so I’d recommend learning more if you find this interesting, and not taking these as absolute facts.
This novel has so much going for it. It speaks about issues of women equality and followed three women, even as they fight to allow themselves their rights, which I enjoyed reading about, despite my initial hesitations. It also tells of a friendship between three girls from different worlds, that become close as sister, which again, was surprisingly interesting. And, the period the novel takes place was an influential time in history, and it tells the sequence of events leading to the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, which I enjoyed learning about. And the suspense... Romance wasn’t integral to the plot, and yet, I didn’t once miss it. I read most of the story with bated breath and wasn’t sure what would happen until the very end.
And so, despite having some hesitations, I think this is a novel everyone should read once in their lives.
"Why is the whole world stacked in favor of rich Christian men when God made me a poor Jewish girl?"
"Maybe God thinks you're up to the challenge," Jane said quietly.
"Our people have been waiting thousands of years for the Messiah," Rahel said. "You can't expect to change the world in a few short months."
Content:
Religion: Yetta and Rahel are Jewish. They speak about giving up kosher and Sabbath candles and bring in references to Judaism, mostly about how Jewish men look down at women, never ask for their opinions and pray daily "thank you, God, for not making me a woman." Over the course of the story, they slowly leave their religion behind.
They joke about Messiah and how Christians have Jesus but Jews are still waiting. Yetta says her dad would know why Jews can’t share with the Christians but she doesn't know because girls “weren't supposed to learn much about religion. We were just supposed to keep the house and fix the food and earn the money so the men could be holy enough for all of us. but I think... I think there are different way to wait for the Messiah, different ways to be holy. I don’t think anyone understands God enough."
Romance:
Bella fantasizes about kissing a man that who she wants to marry. In one scene, strikers are beaten up by a group of prostitutes, who “sell their bodies”. No more details are given about them.
A security guard pats Bella’s clothing, to find stolen items, and she describes how "the guard began sliding his hands along her sleeves, then reaching for her waist, even her breasts..." at which point she screams and pulls away and is allowed to go. In a later scene she thinks about the shame she felt.
Violence:
This novel has some violent scenes, including talks of pogroms, Rahel watched people light others on fire, being beaten, starving, and being trapped in a burning factory with no way out, which causes many to die.