Thursday, December 29, 2016

Fannie Never Flinched by Mary Farrell - OPTIONAL

Farrell, Mary Cronk  Fannie Never Flinched: One Woman’s Courage in the Struggle for American Labor Union Rights.  42 pages.  NON-FICTION.  Abrams, 2016.  $20. Violence: PG (strike breakers, two murders).

After working in a garment sweatshop for 15 years, Fannie Sellens first helped her fellow workers organize into a labor union and then went on to work for the United Garment Workers full time.  Her last big efforts were to help organize coal miners around West Virginia, but helping miners in Pennsylvania turned out to be her death.

This densely worded book looks like a picture book, but really is a powerful story about one woman who gave her life to help improve working conditions for all Americans.  As intriguing and important as Fannie’s story is, it is difficult to find an actual place for this book.  Its pretty heavy stuff for an elementary school and too short for a middle school.  Its really going to depend on what subjects are taught in your building.

EL, MS - OPTIONAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

No comments: