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I‘m giving this a low pick because I liked the history & characters. My library‘s book challenge has this book as a prompt—they‘re going to do a book discussion & podcast ep about it, so I read it. It started out good, there‘s a lot of action, but it just seemed so slow to me. Based on the history of the Battle of Blair Mountain, the coal miners‘ fight to have unions & safer working conditions. Maybe I would have rather read a NF account. 👇

💼 The constant baby-sitting and cleaning up unnecessary messes that shouldn't be made if people planned better (I'm in Procurement).
💼💼 Tagged. The author works several different jobs (under cover, technically) to illustrate the living wage gap and how hard it is to get ahead and stay ahead financially. Great read.
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The 12 Days of Christmas
April favorite

#12BooksOf2024

I read this for book club, and while it doesn't rise to the level of Steinbeck's later more well-known works, it has a historical significance that makes it worth reading. Jim, a young man searching for meaning, joins Mac, an experienced activist, in an effort to organize a strike among apple pickers in 1930s California. The novel focuses on the mechanics of the strike rather than the interior lives of characters, but presents a vivid picture.

“Clara knows in her heart what is right, and she is not afraid to fight for it.“

Meet Clara Lemlich, the unstoppable force behind the largest women-led strike in U.S. history. Brave Girl by Michelle Markel and Melissa Sweet is an inspiring tale of courage, determination, and the fight for fairness. With dynamic illustrations and a powerful message, this book celebrates a young woman who refused to stay silent and changed the world for working women everywhere.

Brave Girl tells the powerful story of Clara Lemlich, a young immigrant who led the charge for workers' rights in early 20th-century America. Michelle Markel‘s compelling narrative brings Clara‘s bravery and determination to life, while Melissa Sweet‘s stunning mixed-media illustrations vividly capture the energy of the labor movement.

“They could have killed every one of you”

I would use this to show my students that literature can be used with songs. I would also use this to teach my students to fight for what is right.

In George Ella Lyons book, Which side are you on? Published in 2011. The story is told of the classic union song that was written in 1931 by Florence Reece in a rain of bullets. It has been sung by people fighting for their rights all over the world.