Brave Girl, Clara and the Shirtwaist Maker’s Strike of 1909

Balzar + Bray Publisher

PreK to 3^rd grade, 32 pages

The month of March is designated as Women in History month. The selections below feature a courageous young girl and a determined naturalist.  

The true story of young Clara Lemlich, a Ukrainian immigrant, who led the largest strike of women workers in U.S. History.  Clara could not speak English when she first arrived in America and had to work diligently to help her family.   She had little time for school but refused to give up on learning and attended night school after working long, difficult hours in the shirtwaist factory in New York City.  Clara observed mistreatment of her follow laborers and could not stand by. Instead, she spoke out on behalf of her fellow workers.  She organized the largest walkout of women workers the country had ever seen and helped to improve working conditions. The story underscores the difficult plight of immigrants in the U.S. in the early 1900s. Her courage will inspire young readers to be brave, too.  

The artwork by Caldecott Honor winner, Melissa Sweet, reinforces the theme with stitching and fabric throughout the book.  A bibliography provides resources and an author’s note sheds light on the garment district at that time.  

About the Author:

Michelle Markel has published more than ten children’s books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her engaged stories have received praise.  She is the founding member of The Children’s Author’s Network and teaches classes in writing for young people.  

Pathways connections: Personal Feelings and Growth, Social Issues and Cultures

Reviewed by Cheryl The, PhD

Professor of Education

Southwestern Adventist University

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