Uprising

Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix is a fictionalized account of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, The story has three main characters Bella, Yetta and Jane and through their eyes we are able to explore the general strike that occurred the previous year to the fire, what the workers were fighting for and why they weren’t granted their demands. The story also touches on class privilege, immigration, feminism and still manages to be compelling and interesting.

Two of the main characters, Bella and Yetta were employed at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory while the third, Jane, was a runaway daughter of a wealthy businessman. She lived with Bella and Yetta and worked as the governess to the two daughters of one of the owners of the show more factory. On the day of the fire, March 25, 1911, Bella and Yetta are at work and Jane has brought her charges to visit their father at work. The fire begins on the 8th floor where Yetta works and quickly spreads to the 9th and 10th floors where Bella and Jane are. From the beginning of the book, you are informed that only one of three friends will survive.

One of the worst workplace disasters in history, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire claimed the lives of 146 workers. Although there was no safety plans, the fire escape collapsed, and exit stairways were locked, the owners were granted a “no-fault” insurance claim of more than sixty thousand dollars which enabled them to reopen their factory and once again exploit young immigrant girls. Recognized unions and workplace reforms took another decade to be put in place. I found Uprising to be a very good read. The author was able to describe the horrific conditions of the workplace as well as giving the reader a clear picture of how the immigrant workforce lived in the early 20th century. show less

Heartbreaking, but so, so good. A box and a half of tissues are needed for the last few chapters, though--be warned. Uprising is a beautifully written story that was clearly very well researched. I liked hearing the story from three very different points of view, and that the bulk of the book focused on the strike at the factory, not the fire. (I wish more history books talked about the strike, but for most people when they hear the words "Triangle Shirtwaist" they think of one thing only, and it isn't a history-making strike.) It was all too easy, though, throughout most of the book, to forget that two of the protagonists are doomed to die on March 25, 1911 (not really a spoiler, since the narrator tells you so in the very first show more chapter). The way that Haddix keeps the identity of the narrator secret is very cleverly done--I didn't honestly know who it was until the book was nearly over.

Even the author's note at the end is worth reading! Instead of the usual "this was real, this wasn't" list, she gives further information about the strike, the fire, and labor, life, and women's suffrage in the early 1900s that is truly interesting. She gives suggestions for further reading for those who want to know more, including an excellent website, and makes many poignant parallels between this historic event and our world today. Haddix even made a trip to the actual building where the fire occurred; today it's fully restored and a part of NYU. While standing on its roof--the roof one of her characters will eventually escape to--she heard about NYU employees who stood there on 9/11, watching people as they fell from the World Trade Center.

It gave me chills. show less

The book 'Uprising" by Margaret Peterson Haddix is about three young girls who are all connected through the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, and their passion for not only better work treatment, but also women's rights. Each chapter alternates between each character and shows their perspective on different events. One strength the book provides is capturing and telling three different stories, and making each character's story intertwine together. A weakness from the book would be not being as detailed when developing certain relationships in the book. I would recommend this book to other readers because it was an interesting topic and the message is historically significant.

Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix is a historical fiction novel about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911. The novel takes readers back to this event through the unique narration of three young girls, Jane, Yetta, and Bella. Poor and alone, they cling to one another and the spirit of the Union to stay alive. As they strike against the oppressive Shirtwaist Factory and its dangerous working conditions, Bella, Yetta, and Jane discover their place in life and what they must fight for. I recommend this book for its unique detail and telling of a historical event, and also for the way readers become attached to the main characters so early on in the novel.

Three young women, one Jewish, one Italian, one rich WASP and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire come together. A great way to learn about labor strikes, women's suffrage and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. If, like me, you like your history dished out in story form, you'll enjoy this book.

Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix paints the image of three triangle shirtwaist factory workers at the cusp of the suffrage movement. The passion, heartbreak, and friendship conveyed by the author through her characters draws the reader's attention and doesn't let go until you finish the very last sentence. I highly recommend this book for history lovers who want to learn more about how much these early 20th century women sacrificed for women's rights. I thought one of the strengths was how the author didn't give away which girls died until the end because it gave the reader a tragic sense that some of the girls they had been rooting for and learning more about ere going to die. Definitely a great book, and would read again!!

Uprising follows three young women from different backgrounds—Bella, an Italian immigrant; Yetta, a passionate Russian-Jewish labor activist; and Jane, a wealthy American girl questioning her privileged life. Set in early 1900s New York, their lives intersect at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, leading to a tragic fire that forever changes their futures—and American labor history.