Sixteen-year-old Essie Rosenfeld of Delancey Street is working at the Triangle Waist Company when she meets the newest employee, Harriet Abbott, a seemingly well-educated, upper-crust young woman with a big secret. Essie, harboring a few secrets of her own, is drawn to the mysterious new girl, but their friendship will be tested as both go to great lengths to conceal the painful truth about themselves-and as a series of disasters tests Essie's fortitude and compassion. A 2010 Sydney Taylor Honor Book.
Topics Childbirth. The garment industry. Being lost. Friends. Sisters. Hatmaking. Poverty. Names. Attraction. Grief. Mental disorders. Spoiled children. Secrets. Menstruation. <i>The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit</i>. Troubled youth. Reading. Libraries. Pianos. Explosions. Writing. Gender roles. Disappearances. Recipes. Magic acts. Arrests. Bail. First day of work. Threats. First kisses. Free will. Disobeying rules. Pregnancy. Denial. Fire. Panic. Being trapped. Confronting the truth. Hospitals. Angels. Forgiveness. Running a shop. Fatalism. Choices.
SRC Level 3.700000
SRC Points 15.000000
Lexile 680L
Trim Size 5 1/2" x 8 1/4"
JLG Span Spring
Language English
Publication date 2009-03-31
JLG Release Date Jun 2009
Minimum grade 9
Maximum grade 12
Reading level High
Format Print
History - High (Grades 9 & Up)
History High
History - High (Grades 9 & Up)
For Grades 9 & Up
This collection features nonfiction and historical fiction titles that bring past events, eras, and influential figures to life through compelling storytelling. Selections span a mix of story-driven history and immersive historical fiction, offering engaging ways for teens to explore how the past shapes the present. Some selections are written for adults but are thoughtfully chosen for their relevance and appeal to teen readers.