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11kjmarie's review
5.0
This book is so important. I love historical fiction, especially the ones that include a background of the people and events that are being written about. I plan on buying a copy for my middle school classroom and incorporating Clara into my future lessons!
erine's review
4.0
Sometimes I struggle with novels in verse, but this was elegantly done, and I found it not distracting at all. It seemed to allow for a lighter touch on some very tough issues - religion, immigration, family dynamics, women's issues, labor issues - that otherwise could have become too heavy and cumbersome.
I cannot say how much I LOVE that the author included an afterward as well as an interview with existing family members. What a wonderful tribute to the person of Clara Lemlich to so clearly outline her life and legacy.
This reminds me of Lyddie, by Katherine Paterson - the struggle of poverty, the fight for justice. I can imagine it appealing to a similar audience: teens looking for stories about social justice and youth empowerment. Historical fiction fans.
Favorite quote (from the afterward): "Clara... leaves us with a story well worth remembering, and with a challenge: to see the suffering of others as part of ourselves, and to do something about it." I find this exceptionally relevant this week: debate about Syrian refugees combined with Thanksgiving - to see the suffering of others as part of ourselves, and do something about it.
I cannot say how much I LOVE that the author included an afterward as well as an interview with existing family members. What a wonderful tribute to the person of Clara Lemlich to so clearly outline her life and legacy.
This reminds me of Lyddie, by Katherine Paterson - the struggle of poverty, the fight for justice. I can imagine it appealing to a similar audience: teens looking for stories about social justice and youth empowerment. Historical fiction fans.
Favorite quote (from the afterward): "Clara... leaves us with a story well worth remembering, and with a challenge: to see the suffering of others as part of ourselves, and to do something about it." I find this exceptionally relevant this week: debate about Syrian refugees combined with Thanksgiving - to see the suffering of others as part of ourselves, and do something about it.
ogold's review
5.0
I did not want to put this book down! I spent my school years thinking I "didn't like history," but books like this always prove me wrong. I absolutely loved following Clara's story from her childhood years to her adulthood. The free-verse format made for a fast-paced read, and the figurative language and symbolism surprised me on almost every page. The author used specific situations to paint an accurate picture of life for immigrants during that time, and I found myself appalled by the conditions (exactly as the author wanted me to be)! This book is excellent for those who want to make a change and just need the courage to speak up and stand out.
jenmangler's review
4.0
Clara Lemlich has been one of my heroes since I first learned about the Uprising of the 20,000 in college. Reading Audacity has only deepened the admiration and respect I feel towards her. Clara's story is one that every American should know, because she represents the best of America. Her indomitable spirit shines through so beautifully in this book.
smateer73's review
4.0
I really loved this book! The free verse poetry is so powerful, and the story of Clara and her intelligence, bravery, and perseverance is brilliantly crafted.
ella7211's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Police brutality
carolineinthelibrary's review
5.0
I'm a history junky and this gave me my fix. The story of Clara Lemlich is truly an amazing one, how one girl fought so hard to better the lives of workers, and eventually, succeeded.
I waned between being a fan of the style in this book and not loving it. Clara talks about a love for poetry, so the poetic nature of the book is smart but sometimes hard to follow. It creates a pace that I sometimes couldn't keep up with.
A great read for anyone interested in worker's rights, women's rights, labor unions, etc.
I waned between being a fan of the style in this book and not loving it. Clara talks about a love for poetry, so the poetic nature of the book is smart but sometimes hard to follow. It creates a pace that I sometimes couldn't keep up with.
A great read for anyone interested in worker's rights, women's rights, labor unions, etc.
carolann331's review
4.0
This is my first reading of a book in verse and I'm hooked. I thought the format would take a way from the telling but to my surprise I was very wrong. The format enhanced the telling through brief, powerful, well written sentences. The emotion and history conveyed by the story stays with you long after you're done reading it.
katscribefever's review
4.0
This verse novel reminded me how far we've come but also how far we still have to go. Clara Lemlich was a force to be reckoned with; she was still human, she had doubts and grew weary and wanted to quit, yet every morning she got up and returned to fight for the rights of workers everywhere.
brandypainter's review
5.0
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
I may never have known Audacity by Melanie Crowder existed if it weren't for Book Riot's post on feminist YA books of 2015. Thank you, Kelly Jensen, for writing that article. I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else, and that is a shame. This is a brilliant and moving book. And I may need to officially revise my stance on verse novels.
Audacity is the story of Clara Lemlich. It begins when she is a teenager living in her shtetl in Russia. After a series of harsh pogroms agains the Jews, Clara and her family immigrate to America. The book chronicles their stay in a poor house in London, the steerage passage to the US, and their entrance through Ellis. Then it changes pace as Clara gets a job in a sweat shop and begins her fight for unions and justice in the garment industry. Told in beautiful first person perspective verse, Audacity is the story of a girl who had a fire burning inside her too bright for anyone to put out, and how she used it to warm and change the world.
Clara Lemlich was a real person, but this book is historical fiction as it takes some liberties with the story here and there. Nothing is changed to take from the historical authenticity of the novel, there are just some thoughts and interactions Clara is involved in that would not be documented. There is a fascinating interview with her daughter and several of her grandchildren at the end that is also worth reading.
Clara was born into a family where the men studied the Torah and the women did the work. She was not allowed to go to school, not allowed to speak Russian, not allowed to learn to read or write. She defied her parents and secretly learned to do all of these things. She was constantly told good girls are obedient. Good girls do what they're told. But Clara made her own rules and fought for the herself and the girl she sat beside in the sweatshops day by day. Despite being beaten, jailed, and harassed, she never gave up. Audacity wonderfully captures her struggle and spirit.
Some excerpts that show the beauty and scope of the story:
How can I ever be more
than just someone's daughter
wife
mother
if I cannot study
if I cannot learn
if I am not permitted to have
even one book?
The mother of the exiles
holds her torch aloft
greeting us in the water
The clouds break apart
and for a moment
pure
clean
rays of sunshine
reach through the heavens
to dance across my cheeks
One by one
the foreman
pats the workers down
roving over curves and creases
searching for scraps of fabric or thread or dignity
that might find their way out
of the shop
I know
he thinks
to break this thing in me
that insists
I think
for myself
Just think
Pauline says,
if thousands of tiny lights
can outshine the moon,
is there anything
thousands of us
cannot do?
Audacity is full ideas: feminism, idealism, the power of knowledge, fighting for what is right, and never giving up no matter how hard it gets. Clara's story is inspiring in thousands of different ways, and this should be included on shelves everywhere.
The book is considered YA, but strong MG readers can handle it as well. I can't wait to share it with my own daughter.
I may never have known Audacity by Melanie Crowder existed if it weren't for Book Riot's post on feminist YA books of 2015. Thank you, Kelly Jensen, for writing that article. I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else, and that is a shame. This is a brilliant and moving book. And I may need to officially revise my stance on verse novels.
Audacity is the story of Clara Lemlich. It begins when she is a teenager living in her shtetl in Russia. After a series of harsh pogroms agains the Jews, Clara and her family immigrate to America. The book chronicles their stay in a poor house in London, the steerage passage to the US, and their entrance through Ellis. Then it changes pace as Clara gets a job in a sweat shop and begins her fight for unions and justice in the garment industry. Told in beautiful first person perspective verse, Audacity is the story of a girl who had a fire burning inside her too bright for anyone to put out, and how she used it to warm and change the world.
Clara Lemlich was a real person, but this book is historical fiction as it takes some liberties with the story here and there. Nothing is changed to take from the historical authenticity of the novel, there are just some thoughts and interactions Clara is involved in that would not be documented. There is a fascinating interview with her daughter and several of her grandchildren at the end that is also worth reading.
Clara was born into a family where the men studied the Torah and the women did the work. She was not allowed to go to school, not allowed to speak Russian, not allowed to learn to read or write. She defied her parents and secretly learned to do all of these things. She was constantly told good girls are obedient. Good girls do what they're told. But Clara made her own rules and fought for the herself and the girl she sat beside in the sweatshops day by day. Despite being beaten, jailed, and harassed, she never gave up. Audacity wonderfully captures her struggle and spirit.
Some excerpts that show the beauty and scope of the story:
How can I ever be more
than just someone's daughter
wife
mother
if I cannot study
if I cannot learn
if I am not permitted to have
even one book?
The mother of the exiles
holds her torch aloft
greeting us in the water
The clouds break apart
and for a moment
pure
clean
rays of sunshine
reach through the heavens
to dance across my cheeks
One by one
the foreman
pats the workers down
roving over curves and creases
searching for scraps of fabric or thread or dignity
that might find their way out
of the shop
I know
he thinks
to break this thing in me
that insists
I think
for myself
Just think
Pauline says,
if thousands of tiny lights
can outshine the moon,
is there anything
thousands of us
cannot do?
Audacity is full ideas: feminism, idealism, the power of knowledge, fighting for what is right, and never giving up no matter how hard it gets. Clara's story is inspiring in thousands of different ways, and this should be included on shelves everywhere.
The book is considered YA, but strong MG readers can handle it as well. I can't wait to share it with my own daughter.