Synopses & Reviews
The inspiring story of Clara Lemlich, whose fight for equal rights led to the largest strike by women in American history
A gorgeously told novel in verse written with intimacy and power, Audacity is inspired by the real-life story of Clara Lemlich, a spirited young woman who emigrated from Russia to New York at the turn of the twentieth century and fought tenaciously for equal rights. Bucking the norms of both her traditional Jewish family and societal conventions, Clara refuses to accept substandard working conditions in the factories on Manhattan's Lower East Side. For years, Clara devotes herself to the labor fight, speaking up for those who suffer in silence. In time, Clara convinces the women in the factories to strike, organize, and unionize, culminating in the famous Uprising of the 20,000.
Powerful, breathtaking, and inspiring, Audacity is the story of a remarkable young woman, whose passion and selfless devotion to her cause changed the world.
Praise for AUDACITY:
* "Crowder breathes life into a world long past....Compelling, powerful and unforgettable." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "This book stands alone....an impactful addition to any historical fiction collection."--School Library Journal, starred review
"Based on the true story of Clara Lemlich, Audacity throbs with the emotions of this exceptional young woman who fought for equal rights and improved labor standards in factories. Melanie Crowders verses spit out Claras rage, cradle her longing and soar like the birds that are her constant companions."--Bookpage
Crowders (Parched) use of free verse in this fictionalization of Russian-Jewish immigrant Clara Lemlichs life brings a spare poignancy to a familiar history.”--Publishers Weekly
Audacity is an evocative reimagining of a fascinating historical figure who should be remembered for her determination in the face of great odds and powerful oppositionand for her role in changing America. Melanie Crowders powerful verse reveals a long-past world, but the combination of hope and outrage that Clara Lemlich brought to her struggle should be both recognizable and inspirational to teen readers longing to right the injustices of our day.”Margaret Peterson Haddix, critically acclaimed, bestselling author of Uprising
Review
Praise and Reviews for ALL THE BROKEN PIECES:
Jefferson Cup award winner
BOOKLIST Editors' Choice
ALA Best Books for Young Adults
IRA Notable Book for a Global Society
ALA Popular Paperback for Young Adults
*"[A] stirring debut novel . . . will make readers want to rush to the end and then return to the beginning again to make connections between past, present, friends and enemies."--BOOKLIST, starred review
*"The verse form carries highly charged emotions and heavy content with elegiac simplicity."--KIRKUS, starred review
*"Using spare free verse, first-time novelist Burg beautifully evokes the emotions of a Vietnamese adoptee as he struggles to come to terms with his past."--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review
"...the story is a lovely, moving one."--SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Review
"Eleven-year-old Serafina has a dream: to go to school and become a doctor. Yet her life outside of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, is filled with urgent chores and responsibilities.
A natural healer, Serafina has already witnessed the loss of baby brother Pierre to disease and hunger, wishing she could have done more to save him. Now Manman is about to have another baby. How will her family ever do without Serafina’s help or afford her school uniform? Burg uses gentle language and graceful imagery to create the characters that make up Serafina’s loving family—Papa, Manman and Gogo, her wise grandmother. (Sadly, Granpè was taken away long ago by the Tonton Macoutes.) Told in first-person verse appealing to both reluctant and passionate readers, the novel is woven with Haitian history, culture and Creole phrases. Readers will root for this likable heroine as she overcomes obstacles—poverty, family obligations, the catastrophic 2010 earthquake—in her effort to emulate her mentor, Antoinette Solaine, the physician who tried to save Pierre. The spirit of the text’s celebration of the power of determination, family, friendship and love is ably captured in Sean Quall’s delightful cover art.Lilting, lyrical and full of hope." - Kirkus starred review
Review
Praise for AUDACITY:
* "Crowder breathes life into a world long past....Compelling, powerful and unforgettable." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "This book stands alone....an impactful addition to any historical fiction collection."--School Library Journal, starred review
"Based on the true story of Clara Lemlich, Audacity throbs with the emotions of this exceptional young woman who fought for equal rights and improved labor standards in factories. Melanie Crowders verses spit out Claras rage, cradle her longing and soar like the birds that are her constant companions."--Bookpage
“Crowders (Parched) use of free verse in this fictionalization of Russian-Jewish immigrant Clara Lemlichs life brings a spare poignancy to a familiar history.”--Publishers Weekly
“Audacity is an evocative reimagining of a fascinating historical figure who should be remembered for her determination in the face of great odds and powerful opposition—and for her role in changing America. Melanie Crowders powerful verse reveals a long-past world, but the combination of hope and outrage that Clara Lemlich brought to her struggle should be both recognizable and inspirational to teen readers longing to right the injustices of our day.”—Margaret Peterson Haddix, critically acclaimed, bestselling author of Uprising
Synopsis
A luminous novel in verse from the author of the Jefferson Cup award winner ALL THE BROKEN PIECES.
In a rural village outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Serafina works hard to help her family as they await the arrival of the new baby. But what Serafina wants most of all is to go to school like her friend Nadia, and to become a doctor like
Antoinette Solaine, who tried to save her baby brother, Pierre. Why does Maman only care about work? Doesn't she know that education is the road to freedom? If only she understood Serafina better. And then the devastating earthquake hits, and Serafina discovers that she must find understanding in her own heart.
This tender, transcendent novel in verse is about much more than a terrible natural disaster. It is about a young girl's passion and struggle to rise up from extreme poverty. It is about friendship, family, time-old tensions between tradition and ambition, and a colorful and distinctive culture (Haitian Creole) that is little written about in children's literature. Most of all, it is about hope, and its power to prevail over any adversity.
Synopsis
A luminous novel in verse from the author of the Jefferson Cup award winner ALL THE BROKEN PIECES.
Serafina has
a secret dream.
She wants to go to school
and become a doctor
with her best friend, Julie Marie.
But in their rural village
outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti,
many obstacles
stand in Serafinas way--
little money,
never-ending chores,
and Manmans worries.
More powerful even
than all of these
are the heavy rains
and the shaking earth
that test Serafinas resolve
in ways she never dreamed.
At once heartbreaking and hopeful,
this exquisitely crafted story
will leave a lasting impression
on your heart.
Synopsis
The inspiring story of Clara Lemlich, whose fight for equal rights led to the largest strike by women in American history
A gorgeously told novel in verse written with intimacy and power, Audacity is inspired by the real-life story of Clara Lemlich, a spirited young woman who emigrated from Russia to New York at the turn of the twentieth century and fought tenaciously for equal rights. Bucking the norms of both her traditional Jewish family and societal conventions, Clara refuses to accept substandard working conditions in the factories on Manhattan's Lower East Side. For years, Clara devotes herself to the labor fight, speaking up for those who suffer in silence. In time, Clara convinces the women in the factories to strike, organize, and unionize, culminating in the famous Uprising of the 20,000.
Powerful, breathtaking, and inspiring, Audacity is the story of a remarkable young woman, whose passion and selfless devotion to her cause changed the world.
Praise for AUDACITY:
* "Crowder breathes life into a world long past....Compelling, powerful and unforgettable." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "This book stands alone in its topic and time frame....Audacity is an impactful addition to any historical fiction collection."--School Library Journal, starred review
Audacity is an evocative reimagining of a fascinating historical figure who should be remembered for her determination in the face of great odds and powerful oppositionand for her role in changing America. Melanie Crowders powerful verse reveals a long-past world, but the combination of hope and outrage that Clara Lemlich brought to her struggle should be both recognizable and inspirational to teen readers longing to right the injustices of our day.”Margaret Peterson Haddix, bestselling author of Uprising
About the Author
Ann Burg's debut novel, ALL THE BROKEN PIECES, was named a Jefferson Cup award winner and an IRA Notable Book for a Global Society, among its many honors. Burg worked as an English teacher for ten years before becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Rhinebeck, New York, with her family. You can visit her online at www.annburg.com