33. Lyddie by Katherine Paterson

Lyddie by Katherine Paterson
ISBN: 0140373896
Puffin, New York, 2005
192 pages

Teaser: When times get hard, Lyddie does her part to support the family, going to work in a textile mill during the industrial revolution.

Summary: When Lyddie's father abandons their family, Lyddie goes to work in a cloth factory in Lowell, Massachusetts during the industrial revolution. At first, her job is challenging, but doable. As time goes on, conditions worsen and the girls working in the cloth factory are forced to work increasingly long hours, operating more looms, and receive less pay for their work. Eventually, Lyddie finds a way to break free from the oppressive factory.

Evaluation: Lyddie was an enjoyable read, and it was a great way to get a glimpse into history. Lyddie seemed a bit too mature for her age, but in difficult times, this can be understood. The historical details are very true to the time period, making this a good choice for those looking for a fun way to understand some of the aspects related to the factory workers of the industrial revolution.

Challenge issues and age recommendation: Factory conditions, religion, and threatening situations are present in this book. I would suggest that readers be at least 10, but older readers may be able to get a bit more out of the book.