How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
Review Detail
Kids Nonfiction
1303
Little Known Workers' Rights Figure
Overall rating
5.0
Writing Style
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
5.0
Learning Value
5.0
Fannie Sellins was a single mother trying to put food on the table for her four young children by working in Marx and Haas Clothing Co. in St. Louis. The conditions were wretchedly poor, so when she heard about seamstresses in Chicago and New York City forming unions, she rallied support from the workers to create Local 67 of the United Garment Workers of America. Although the conditions were improved at this factory, it was still a very difficult way to earn a living.
After serving as president of her local union, Fannie traveled to different cities giving talks about working conditions. In the early 1900s, these were often treacherous-- buildings in poor condition, workers riddled with disease, and dangerous jobs performed by very young children. The union not only worked to get these conditions improved, but took up collections to help families affected by them. Strikes were common and often brutal. At one of these, in Black Valley, Pennsylvania, shots were fired into a crowd, and Fannie was killed. The police inquiry absolved the officer, and even commended the force for keeping the peace!
After serving as president of her local union, Fannie traveled to different cities giving talks about working conditions. In the early 1900s, these were often treacherous-- buildings in poor condition, workers riddled with disease, and dangerous jobs performed by very young children. The union not only worked to get these conditions improved, but took up collections to help families affected by them. Strikes were common and often brutal. At one of these, in Black Valley, Pennsylvania, shots were fired into a crowd, and Fannie was killed. The police inquiry absolved the officer, and even commended the force for keeping the peace!
Good Points
While young readers may study a little bit about the labor movement in the United States, it is often impersonal. Focusing a movement around the actions of one person is a great way to encourage empathy for it by giving it a human face.
The formatting of this book is excellent-- while I'm not usually a fan of larger books (this is about 10" x 10"), this size allows plenty of photographs and a lot of space around the text. While it may seem silly, this is a HUGE selling point. Readers are often reluctant to pick up books filled with dense blocks of text and few pictures. The buttons and cogs at the bottom of the sepia toned pages also make this a more reader-friendly book, and that will go a long way to entice children to read about this important historical figure.
I loved this author's Pure Grit, but felt that it was too long and involved for most of my readers. Fannie Never Flinched struck an excellent balance between easy-to-read format and amount of information. It's a great starting point for National History Day projects (especially in 2016-17, with the theme being Taking a Stand!), and will intrigue and encourage readers to investigate the other sources listed in the bibliography.
The formatting of this book is excellent-- while I'm not usually a fan of larger books (this is about 10" x 10"), this size allows plenty of photographs and a lot of space around the text. While it may seem silly, this is a HUGE selling point. Readers are often reluctant to pick up books filled with dense blocks of text and few pictures. The buttons and cogs at the bottom of the sepia toned pages also make this a more reader-friendly book, and that will go a long way to entice children to read about this important historical figure.
I loved this author's Pure Grit, but felt that it was too long and involved for most of my readers. Fannie Never Flinched struck an excellent balance between easy-to-read format and amount of information. It's a great starting point for National History Day projects (especially in 2016-17, with the theme being Taking a Stand!), and will intrigue and encourage readers to investigate the other sources listed in the bibliography.
Comments
Already have an account? Log in now or Create an account
Powered by JReviews
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
FEATURED GIVEAWAYS
Author Chat with Eden Royce (Root Magic), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to chat with Eden Royce author of Root Magic. Read on for more about Eden and her book, plus a giveaway! Meet Eden Royce ! Eden Royce grew up immersed i...
Posted in News & Updates
Spotlight on Roman and Jewel (Dana L. Davis), Excerpt, Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to spotlight Roman and Jewel (Dana L. Davis). Read on for more about Dana, plus a excerpt & a giveaway! Meet Dana L. Davis ! Dan...
Posted in News & Updates
Spotlight on You Have A Match (Emma Lord), Excerpt, Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to spotlight You Have A Match (Emma Lord). Read on for more about Emma, plus a excerpt & a giveaway! Meet Emma Lord ! Emma Lord is a di...
Posted in News & Updates
Giveaway: Happily Ever Afters (Elise Bryant) ~ (US Only)
Happily Ever Afters (US Only) by: Elise Bryant Release Date: January 5th, 2021 Publisher: Harpercollins Children's Books/Balzer + Bray About the Book: Jane the Virgin meets To All...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Chat with Amanda Hocking (The Ever After), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to chat with Amanda Hocking author of The Ever After. Read on for more about Amanda and her book, plus a giveaway! Meet Amanda Hocking ! AMANDA HOCKING ...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Of The Week: Author Chat with Alexandra Bracken (Lore), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Welcome to our weekly special feature post, Author Of The Week !! Each week we will be interviewing a different YA author and highlighting their upcoming release! We will also be hosting a givea...
Posted in News & Updates
Latest Book Listings Added
The dead still walk in Denmark. Already crushed by his...
In this riveting, keenly emotional debut fantasy, a Black...
The thrilling sequel to instant New York Times bestseller All...
In a full-color dog book unlike any other, acclaimed children’s...
Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents CITY OF THE PLAGUE GOD,...
Latest Member Reviews
"What worked: Great way to make reading the classics more fun! I'm a huge fan of graphic novels. Manga Classics..."
"ALL THE TIDES OF FATE picks up Amora's story a season or two after the previous book ended. She is..."
"Eighteen-year-old Mila has just graduated from high school and aged out of the foster care program. So when a job..."
" The Parkour Club is a rollicking good read! Bronte’s journey to find her place in the world..."
"CRYING IS LIKE THE RAIN teaches children that it's okay to cry rather than bottle everything up inside. The author..."
"With her father gone, Beatrice must step into her role as queen. To do this, she has to let her..."
"Teen Mary Shelley is the many times great granddaughter of the legendary writer. Everyone in the Shelley lineage has become..."
"THE OBSESSION is a creepy and riveting YA thriller. Delilah lives with her mother and her mother's abusive boyfriend, a..."
"Lo Denham, magazine assistant and loner, is looking for her sister, Bea. Six years ago, Lo's parents died in a..."
"I couldn’t begin to express how much I adore this book. This book, magically, soothed my temper and let me..."
"WINGS OF EBONY is a beautifully crafted YA fantasy. A year has passed since Rue's life was irrevocably changed. Her..."
"I don't know how this series keeps getting better, but it does. This third book is just... so much happens..."
"This book... oof. It hurt. But if you know me at all, you know my favorite books are the kind..."
"This book grabbed me from the very beginning, throwing me into this beautifully-crafted, intriguing new world. The plot is fast-paced..."
"THE GILDED ONES by Namina Forna is a YA fantasy novel and the first book in the Deathless series. The..."
"UNCHOSEN is a fantastic and completely captivating YA apocalyptic fantasy, filled with feminism, friendship, sisterhood, and romance. Charlotte is the..."
"Rosie has always taken care of herself and her mother in their house overlooking the coast of Maine. Her mother..."
"Maraniss, whose Strong Inside covered Black basketball player Perry Wallace, turns his incredible research skills the the story of Glenn..."
"Sila's family has been happy in Oregon, even though her father, who is a mechanical engineer, has to work as..."
"Jocelyn always looks forward to the vacation in a cabin that she and her friend Alex's family take every year...."