Subject
Strikes and lockouts -- Juvenile fiction Books
Best books
Robert Shaler
The Boy Scouts with the Red Cross
"The Boy Scouts with the Red Cross" by Robert Shaler is a children’s adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows a group of Boy Scouts from Oakvale, led by Scout Master Hugh Hardin, who find themselves in the midst of a crisis when they attempt to assist injured strikers during a riot. As they face the challenges of providing aid amid turmoil, the tension escalates when the grandson of a factory owner goes missing, prompting a desperate search. At the start of the book, the story built around the boys begins with their enthusiastic response to the arrival of a Red Cross ambulance after they've set up a makeshift field hospital to care for injured men from a nearby cement plant. Among them are various characters including Billy Worth and Arthur Cameron, who contribute to the heroic efforts of the troop. In a twist, the plot thickens when the child of the factory owner disappears, leading to suspicion of kidnapping tied to the strikers. Amid growing unrest, the young Scouts, alongside a determined Red Cross nurse named Nurse Jones, take on the responsibility of finding the child, blending themes of bravery, compassion, and community service while underscoring the principles of scouting.
Robert Shaler
The Boy Scouts of the Field Hospital
"The Boy Scouts of the Field Hospital" by Robert Shaler is a children's adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows a group of Boy Scouts, specifically the Oakvale Troop, as they embark on a summer camping trip and soon find themselves amidst burgeoning tensions due to a labor strike at a nearby cement works. With the absence of their scout master, the boys, led by Hugh Hardin, must navigate various challenges, including a potential riot and the responsibilities of first aid, highlighting themes of bravery, camaraderie, and community service. At the start of the narrative, the Scouts are setting up camp by the Hurricane River, excited about their summer ahead. However, their plans are interrupted by the news of a nearby strike and subsequent unrest, leading to a tight-knit group dynamic as they attempt to avoid trouble. The opening chapters introduce key characters, such as Hugh and Billy, and establish the setting of a summer camp fraught with danger. As the boys deal with their immediate concerns, including a near-drowning incident, they begin to realize the broader implications of the unrest around them, setting the stage for their bloom into leaders and rescuers in a time of need.
Agnes Giberne
Too dearly bought : $b or, The town strike
"Too Dearly Bought: Or, The Town Strike" by Agnes Giberne is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around the struggles of working-class individuals during a strike in a grim manufacturing town, focusing on characters like Peter Pope, a persuasive delegate advocating for workers’ rights, and John Holdfast, who believes in doing what is right despite the prevailing sentiment. The contrasting perspectives on labor, rights, and the impact of social movements emerge as central themes. At the start of the novel, the excitement builds in the town with the approach of a procession led by the eloquent Peter Pope, rallying men to strike for improved wages and working conditions. Families witness the event with mixed feelings; while children revel in the spectacle, wives like Martha Stevens express concern over their husbands joining the struggle, fearing for their families' well-being amid rising tensions and potential starvation. The early chapters introduce the core characters and set the stage for exploring the ramifications of the strike on both personal and societal levels, highlighting the conflict between the pursuit of rights and the harsh realities of life for working-class families.
Emma Leslie
The seed she sowed : $b A tale of the great dock strike.
"The Seed She Sowed: A Tale of the Great Dock Strike" by Emma Leslie is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the struggles faced by the Chaplin family during a time of economic hardship, particularly focusing on young Winny Chaplin, who is confined to her bed due to illness but remains a beacon of hope and positivity for her family and neighbors as they navigate the challenges of poverty, work insecurity, and social injustice at the docks. The opening portion of the novel introduces Winny and her family, particularly her efforts to make their home welcoming despite their financial struggles. We see the familial bond and the hope that defines their lives, set against the backdrop of their father's meager earnings as a dockworker and the imminent threat of eviction due to unpaid rent. Winny’s character is depicted as compassionate and wise beyond her years, providing emotional support to those around her while grappling with her health issues. The narrative hints at larger social themes, such as labor rights and class struggle, which are likely to unfold further in the story as the dock strike becomes a central element of the plot.
May Baldwin
Sarah's School Friend
"Sarah's School Friend" by May Baldwin is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Sarah Clay, a young girl from a wealthy manufacturing family, as she navigates her complex relationships with her parents and society. The book explores themes of class, identity, and the struggles between personal desires and family expectations. At the start of the novel, Sarah is in her lavish home, grappling with her feelings about her father, a self-made millionaire. The opening scenes depict a tense family dynamic, particularly her disdain for her father's coarse manners and her mother's attempts to fit into a higher social class. Sarah's reflective nature leads her to question the authenticity of her family's wealth and her place in society. The interaction between her and her brother George reveals underlying tensions about their identities and ambitions, setting the stage for Sarah's impending growth as she anticipates the visit of her school friend, Horatia Cunningham, a girl from a noble lineage. The backdrop of their industrial town paints a vivid picture of the contrasts between wealth and the lives of the mill-workers that surround them.
George Manville Fenn
Patience Wins: War in the Works
"Patience Wins: War in the Works" by George Manville Fenn is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows a young boy named Jacob, his father, and his three uncles as they navigate the challenging world of industrial expansion. After purchasing a steel working business in Arrowfield, they face resistance from a hostile workforce, igniting conflicts that test their resolve and ingenuity. The title reflects the central theme of overcoming adversity through perseverance and patience. At the start of the narrative, Jacob, a sixteen-year-old boy, is introduced as the protagonist who enjoys a close and playful relationship with his uncles. The family decides to move from London to Arrowfield to revitalize their new steel works. However, they quickly encounter challenges with the local workforce, who resent the newcomers and their modern ideas. The tension escalates as Jacob and his uncles are forced to confront the aggressive attitudes of the workers, creating an atmosphere ripe for conflict. Fenn sets the stage for a story of resilience in the face of adversity, hinting at both personal and industrial battles to come.
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