gwen_pageturner's review against another edition
3.0
Read this book if you enjoy younger perspectives of historical events alternating between different point of view.
This book was not quite how I remembered it, but then again, I last read this in middle school. I felt that the main characters were indecisive and immature, and I had to remind myself that they were also children. Would be better suited to a younger audience; however, it still displayed a unique perspective.
This book was not quite how I remembered it, but then again, I last read this in middle school. I felt that the main characters were indecisive and immature, and I had to remind myself that they were also children. Would be better suited to a younger audience; however, it still displayed a unique perspective.
inanycase13's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
spicy_shrimp's review
3.0
It is the year of 1912 and many families, including Rosa's, live a life of poverty. The factory owners are lowering the already minuscule wages, causing much anger among workers. Rosa's mother and older sister join their fellow laborers in a strike and refuse to work until their wages are raised. One day, Rosa meets a boy named Jake who doesn't reveal anything about himself and yet seeks her help. They are both affected by what would eventually come to be known as the Bread and Roses Strike of 1912.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit and was surprised to find myself turning the pages and feeling a slight reluctance every time I was forced to put down the book. At first I had some doubts since I've had past experiences with disappointing historical fiction books. Katherine Paterson skillfully wove her characters around the event of the Bread and Roses Strike of 1912 and gave a great insight on some of what families had to go through without making the book sound like a history textbook. I could see a slight change in the characters of Rosa and Jake as they were affected by the strike. They were both weighed down by their troubles, but by the end of the book that big weight was lifted and they possessed a more confident and happier aura around themselves. What was especially wonderful about the book was how it zeroed in on Rosa and Jake's personal lives and feelings instead of focusing more on the strike that was occurring and all of the meetings that strikers were attending. It felt like they were just caught up in the middle of the strike because they happened to be there, so they didn't have as many personal experiences with the labor organizations and meetings. It was interesting how the book revealed information regarding the strike only as Rosa and Jake learned of them themselves. Although I did enjoy this read, I wasn't completely satisfied and would have preferred the book to contain more details and a more satisfying ending, so I've decided to give this book 3/5 stars.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit and was surprised to find myself turning the pages and feeling a slight reluctance every time I was forced to put down the book. At first I had some doubts since I've had past experiences with disappointing historical fiction books. Katherine Paterson skillfully wove her characters around the event of the Bread and Roses Strike of 1912 and gave a great insight on some of what families had to go through without making the book sound like a history textbook. I could see a slight change in the characters of Rosa and Jake as they were affected by the strike. They were both weighed down by their troubles, but by the end of the book that big weight was lifted and they possessed a more confident and happier aura around themselves. What was especially wonderful about the book was how it zeroed in on Rosa and Jake's personal lives and feelings instead of focusing more on the strike that was occurring and all of the meetings that strikers were attending. It felt like they were just caught up in the middle of the strike because they happened to be there, so they didn't have as many personal experiences with the labor organizations and meetings. It was interesting how the book revealed information regarding the strike only as Rosa and Jake learned of them themselves. Although I did enjoy this read, I wasn't completely satisfied and would have preferred the book to contain more details and a more satisfying ending, so I've decided to give this book 3/5 stars.
belinda_h's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cstrauel's review against another edition
3.0
Really good suggest for anyone who like a family story
laleha's review
4.0
I have meant to read this one since it was published (when I still lived in Lawrence). I wanted a story to listen to at bedtime, this was available on Overdrive, I went for it.
I was a bit alarmed when I first heard reader Lorna Raver's voice, I thought I wasn't going to like her. I quickly warmed to her, though, because her accents (Scottish not withstanding, Duncan) were excellent!
I want to go back and reread Lyddie now as I seem to remember her leaving Vermont to work in the Lowell mills... Funny that Rosa (who was a school girl, not a laborer) should end up in Vermont on her "vacation."
Good way to explain the awful mill conditions, I could see middle school historical fiction loving girls enjoying this.
I was a bit alarmed when I first heard reader Lorna Raver's voice, I thought I wasn't going to like her. I quickly warmed to her, though, because her accents (Scottish not withstanding, Duncan) were excellent!
I want to go back and reread Lyddie now as I seem to remember her leaving Vermont to work in the Lowell mills... Funny that Rosa (who was a school girl, not a laborer) should end up in Vermont on her "vacation."
Good way to explain the awful mill conditions, I could see middle school historical fiction loving girls enjoying this.
mon_ique's review against another edition
3.0
This book made me add a history shelf; I don't even like historical fiction, yet this is the second book in like two months that I have read concerning the industrial (second) revolution and protesting etc. The generosity of the families in Vermont made me tear up just a little bit, but overall very effective in relying its message and the history!
iamnotamerryman's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting because of the history about the mill strike, but I never really cared for either of the main characters. It was kind of a chore to read. I was surprised because I loved this author's other book "Jacob Have I Loved."
ceekay2020's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
srl5041's review against another edition
Children’s Literature grad class reading