Threads and Flames by Esther Friesner

Friesner, Esther Threads and Flames, 386 p. Viking (Penguin), 2011.  $17.99.  Violence: PG-13 (accurate reporting of the aftermath of the fire).  From her small Polish village to the busy turn-of-the-century streets of New York, Raisa is trying to do her best for hers – searching high and low for her missing older sister, taking in the orphaned little Brina whose mother did on the boat over, finding any job that will pay for a place for the girls to live.  When she finds a job at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, moving out of a basement sweatshop, Raisa feels blessed.  And knowing that she might have a future with the kind rabbi-in-training Gavrel, heals her heart.  Then comes the day that Raisa’s world is filled with smoke, and flame – as it looks like everything she has worked for is going to go up in flames.  Esther Friesner has written a beautiful book about this tragic event – more so because she makes you care deeply about Raisa and her life and then slaps you in the face with the fire – just as it happened to everyone affected that day.  I loved it and can’t wait to share it with those of my students who also enjoy historical fiction.  MS, HS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher