January 1905
Grade 3-5–This novel offers a close look at the harsh realities of life in a mill town during the early 20th century. The story centers on 11-year-old sisters, each envious of the other's "easy" life. Arlene, who was born with a "monster foot," is lonely tending house while Pauline works at the cotton mill with the rest of the family and other children. In alternate chapters, the twins narrate their parallel experiences. There is plenty of action as Pauline witnesses an accident in which a young coworker loses his thumb in the spindle and Arlene assists the local midwife. The story has a strong message about walking in another person's shoes. When Pauline injures her foot, she learns what it is like for her sister to live with a deformity. Arlene fills in at the mill for the injured boy and finds that there is no end to sweeping and lint. In the end, the girls recognize that their best opportunity for friendship is between themselves. An afterword discusses child labor in the United States in the early 20th century. A rather didactic novel, with good descriptions, this story is most likely to be used as a curricular tie-in.–Sharon R. Pearce, Chippewa Elementary School, Bensenville, ILCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.