A very nice primer on early American factory life. 

Rebecca is ten years old and works a thirteen hour day at Lowell factory as a bobbin girl. Her mother runs a company boarding house for female employees. Rebecca may be young, but she is aware.  She sees that, on one hand, the factory provides a truly rare opportunity for young women - a chance to earn money and gain a little independence and maybe even an education.  On the other hand, work in the factory is physically demanding and potentially dangerous.  Furthermore, the workers come from already marginalized groups (women, children, immigrants), have very little power, and are easily taken advantage of.

One worker in particular, Judith, stands out to Rebecca.  Judith is a clever, principled and strong-minded young lady who actually incites the factory's first "turn out" (strike).  I hope it's not too much of a spoiler, but anyone who knows even a little American history knows that it would take more than just one strike to effect great change for workers.  However, these early rebellions did remain in the worker's consciousness and sowed the seeds for future and more effective worker's rights movements.

The author's note provides a good amount of context and background information.  For example, Rebecca is a fictional character, but is loosely based on a real-life 'bobbin doffer' Harriet Hanson Robinson.  Like Rebecca, Robinson started as a bobbin girl and took part in a strike.  And like Judith, she took advantage of the educational opportunities that Lowell provided and grew up to be an author and activist. 

*I'd recommend this for ages 8 to 12. It works as a fantastic read aloud as there is much to ponder and discuss.

*Next, we're reading Lyddie by Katherine Patterson (a chapter book about Lowell factory life) so it will be interesting to compare the two.

That title, that cover?  How can you not be intrigued? 

This is a strange and melancholy sort of book, but also unique and very memorable. 

Helene is a lonely little girl who has recently run afoul of the queen bees at her school.  The book implies that Helene used to be part of their group, but now she spends her days fielding their cruel little insults about her weight.  Any person with two good eyes will quickly see the disconnect between their taunts and Helene's actual size.  But none of that matters because Helene believes it to be true to her very core simply because they say it is so.

Helene's loneliness has caused her to retreat into the world of books - specifically Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (with two little dots over the 'e', Helene points out).  Helene finds a somewhat kindred spirit in Jane - someone, in her mind, equally lonely, misunderstood and put upon.  And that's really all I should say because the rest is best left discovered by the reader.

The illustrations are breathtaking. Anyone who is or was a lonely little girl will be deeply moved.  Highly recommended!

A worthy picture book biography! The information is interesting and age appropriate for the intended audience (upper elementary to middle school).  The illustrations are really gorgeous and well suited to the topic.  This book will be of particular relevance after one has read Little Women as so much of that book was drawn from her real life experiences. 

I love that the author chose to include two poems authored by Louisa when she was eight and eleven.  That was a really special treat and also of great interest to a young reader.  There are also quotes, a timeline and a recipe for New England Apple Slump.