Bread and Roses, Too-Historical Fiction

During the Industrial Revolution of the early 20^th century, business was booming and that meant laborers were in high demand.  Owners, in search of high profit, hired recently arrived immigrants at very low wages.  The novel, Bread and Roses, Too follows the story of Rosa, a young Italian girl, and Jake, a poor, abused boy and the textile mills strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts.  Life is very harsh and challenging.  Rosa’s father has died and her mother must make a life for herself and her three children.  Jake, fends for himself on most days and must deal with a drunk father who beats him and takes all his meager pay.  Life is a moment- by- moment struggle.  Unions in other cities offer to sponsor children during the long strike and keep them safe and cared for.  Rosa and Jake find themselves on a train to Barre, Vermont and a completely different life.  As they are cared for in Vermont, they have time to evaluate their lives and those around them.  It is a time of discovery and a larger vision of the world. 

Anytime you can put a personality onto a situation, it becomes more real and meaningful.  Teachers will appreciate this book for its engaging story and historical accuracy.  Katherine Patterson brings this very important part of history to life.  Her historical note at the end shows just how accurate this story is.  History teachers and English teachers both will find that this book sparks lively discussions of these historic events and their effects on the present day.   Readers will stay invested until the end.  

Newbery Award books by this author:
Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved