Here’s the inspiring story of the woman who raised her voice and fist to protect kids’ childhoods and futures– and changed America forever. Mother Jones is MAD, and she wants you to be MAD TOO, and stand up for what’s right! Told in first-person, New York Times bestselling author, Jonah Winter, and acclaimed illustrator, Nancy Carpenter, share the incredible story of Mother Jones, an Irish immigrant who was essential in the fight to create child labor laws. Well into her sixties, Mother Jones had finally had enough of children working long hours in dangerous factory jobs, and decided she was going to do something about it. The powerful protests she organized earned her the name “the most dangerous woman in America.” And in the Children’s Crusade of 1903, she lead one hundred boys and girls on a glorious march from Philadelphia right to the front door of President Theodore Roosevelt’s Long Island home.
My Review:
I received a copy of this picture book from Schwartz & Wade in exchange for an honest review
I love every book that Jonah Winter writes. He has a gift of bringing unknown historical heroes to life. I had never heard of Mother Jones and was quickly swept away in her fight to protect children from factories. The text is written in a first-person narrative and immediately connects readers with the journey that Mother Jones took to protect children. The text has quotes from Mother Jones as well as bolded words to show readers the impact of Mother Jones’s mission. I was amazed at the steps she took to show the United States how wrong child labor really was. The illustrations by Nancy Carpenter capture the historical period and allow readers to see the force of Mother Jones. The watercolors are muted and show the sadness of the situation. The back of the book shares more with readers about Mother Jones, as well as photos of her children’s crusades. This is a fantastic biography that discusses social justice and the importance of standing up for what is right.
Ages 5 and up
40 Pages
