Fire at the Triangle Factory

I was interested to spot this children's book dealing with the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire of March 25, 1911, in which 146 workers were killed. Public outrage over the fire, and the deaths of so many young women, some as young as 14, resulted in monumental changes in fire codes. "Fire at the Triangle Factory" tells the story of 14-year-olds Minnie and Tessa, two friends who help each other when the factory goes up in flames.You will notice that the Author's Note and Afterword, written by author Holly Littlefield, are probably about as long as the entire text of the actual story. The story is written at an elementary school level, but clearly the historical events are beyond the scope of such readers, therefore necessitating the detailed background. The story, illustrated by Mary O'Keefe Young, touches on the horrible working conditions, but does not really communicate the inhumanity of the sweatshops. The two young girls are the daughters of immigrants: Minnie's family is Jewish and Tessa's is Italian, and Minnie frets that her father would not accept her having a non-Jewish friend. But Minnie knows that things are different in America, which is always a worthwhile attitude to impart to children. The fire and its aftermath take up half the story and the manner in which the two young girls escape the fire certainly rings true; indeed, Littlefield based her story on the account of actual survivors.I think this story would have worked better for an older age group, with the story fleshed out to something more like a novella in length. The immigrant life style could be explored in much more detail to greater effect and the same would be true for both the working conditions at the factory and the fatal fire. Junior high girls would be able to relate to this story and appreciate its historical, social and personal significance much more than younger students who would have trouble fully appreciating Littlefield's ambitious subject matter.

I am a sixth grade social studies teacher. I teach about immigrants and their assimilation into the American way of life. This book is very much below the reading level of average sixth graders. However, due to the brevity of the story and its valuable historical significance, I was able to read it orally to my classes as an introduction and enhancement to my immigration unit. It was also a valuable story upon which to refer to aid my students' understanding throughout the unit of study. One thing which I think "tickled" the interest of my sixth graders in particular, was that the story focused on two youths very close to their age. I think it is a "must have" for those who want to add a little something to their immigration lesson plans and to add realism.

My 7 year old loved this book, and has gone on to enjoy many others from Carolrhoda. Well written, true stories featuring interesting real people (many of them female). However, they are rated grades 4-6, which I think is way off- a strong first grade reader, most second grader, and any average third grader should fly through these books. Strongly recommended!