Thank you for following the virtual tour for my historical novel, The Locket: Surviving the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire from Enslow Publishers. Although the tragic event that is the basis for this book happened over 100 years ago, I think it is important for children today to know and understand what life was like for the garment workers in New York City back then.
Obviously, this book was designed for classroom use as a way to supplement the regular social studies textbooks when it comes to helping students learn about events in American history. But I think readers enjoy the book mainly because they get to know and like the main character, Galena, an eleven-year-old Russian-Jewish immigrant, who lives in New York City with her family and works at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory with her older sister, Anya.
When I visit schools across the country I sometimes talk to students about using real events in history as the basis for creating fictional stories. I even have a workshop about this, so I can guide students to choose historical events to research so they can create fictional characters who witnessed these events.
I love to visit schools, libraries, and bookstores to talk about my writing and my books. I particularly enjoy helping teachers and school librarians see how they can use nonfiction to help students write better fiction. Teachers and librarians can find out more about my school visits at my website at http://www.suzannelieurance.com.
If you’re a teacher, librarian, or a parent who homeschools, download a free Educator’s Guide for The Locket here now.
Here are a few short reviews of the book:
"The author has done a wonderful job on character development and the description of the fire in the factory was compelling."
Delaware County Library System, September 2008
"The fictionalization of a real historical event and the dramatization of early labor issues involves reader[s] in a fast-paced, gripping story hard to put down."
Children's Bookwatch, May 2008
"This book will serve to inform readers on the working climate of the time as well as the struggles of immigrants to conform to a new country and new society."
Irving Independent School District, March 24, 2010
"Woven together in perfect compatibility, the historical background and fictional plot give readers a clear insight into Jewish immigrants and ritual . . . and unfair labor practices, and there is excellent foreshadowing of the fire."
School Library Journal, August 2008
". . . brings American history to life through fictional characters and historically accurate plots."
MultiCultural Review, Winter 2008
". . . an insightful story that will appeal to young readers as well as providing them with a clear understanding of the working conditions at the time . . . a very well written book that will relate well to many young readers."
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Suzanne Lieurance is an author, freelance writer, writing coach, speaker and workshop presenter. She is a former classroom teacher and was an instructor for the Institute of Children's Literature for over 8 years.
Lieurance has written over two dozen published books and her articles and stories have appeared in various magazines, newsletters, and newspapers, such as Family Fun, Instructor, New Moon for Girls, KC Weddings, The Journal of Reading, and Children's Writer to name a few. She offers a variety of coaching programs via private phone calls, teleclasses, listserv, and private email for writers who want to turn their love of writing (for children and/or adults) into a part-time or full-time career.
Connect with Suzanne on the web:
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Galena, an eleven-year-old Russian-Jewish immigrant, lives in New York City with her family and works at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory with her older sister Anya. The factory pays low wages and has terrible working conditions, making Anya yearn to join a union. Soon a horrible fire guts the factory leaving Galena with painful, horrific memories. Follow author Suzanne Lieurance in this dramatic historical fiction novel, as she describes how Galena uses the support of friends, family, and Jewish traditions to inspire her to fight for workers rights.