Uprising

Margaret Peterson Haddix

Jan 2011 · Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

The fire at the Triangle Waist Company in New York City, which claimed the lives of 146 young immigrant workers, is one of the worst disasters since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, and the disaster, which brought attention to the labor movement in America, is part of the curriculum in classrooms throughout the country.

Told from alternating points of view, this historical novel draws upon the experiences of three very different young women: Bella, who has just emigrated from Italy and doesn't speak a word of English; Yetta, a Russian immigrant and crusader for labor rights; and Jane, the daughter of a wealthy businessman. Bella and Yetta work together at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory under terrible conditions--their pay is docked for even the slightest mistake, the bosses turn the clocks back so closing time is delayed, and they are locked into the factory all day, only to be frisked before they leave at night to make sure they haven't stolen any shirtwaists. When the situation worsens, Yetta leads the factory's effort to strike, and she meets Jane on the picket line. Jane, who feels trapped by the limits of her own sheltered existence, joins a group of high-society women who have taken an interest in the strike as a way of supporting women's suffrage. Through a series of twists and turns, the three girls become fast friends--and all of them are in the Triangle Shirtwast Factory on March 25, 1911, the day of the fateful fire. In a novel that puts a human face on the tragedy, Margaret Peterson Haddix has created a sweeping, forceful tale that will have readers guessing until the last page who--if anyone--survives.

Ratings and reviews

Terrible beginning. Super hard to hook on. However, once everybody gets to like the 40th page, the book gets really interesting and tears are shed. Great book by Haddix (Who is a great author).

Uprising is an exciting and forever changing book. I am 12 years old and I had to read this book for Summer Reading. At first I thought it would be boring because I didn't know anything about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. But as I began reading the book, I became deeply engaged. I would definitely recommend this book to people of all ages because it contains life lessons and it is a story that will never be forgotten. I absolutely loved this book! <3

I have never heard of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire before I read this book. But this has to be the best book that I have read in my life. It has the perfect amount of drama and I love the way that you get to see the characters grow and it feels like you know them personally. Even though the ending is very sad you really are able to see what the world was like back then and you can really compare it to today's world. The book is actually very accurate and I just love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😀😄😁😚

About the author

Margaret Peterson Haddix is the author of many critically and popularly acclaimed YA and middle grade novels, including the Children of Exile series, The Missing series, the Under Their Skin series, and the Shadow Children series. A graduate of Miami University (of Ohio), she worked for several years as a reporter for The Indianapolis News. She also taught at the Danville (Illinois) Area Community College. She lives with her family in Columbus, Ohio. Visit her at HaddixBooks.com.