Counting On Grace

Inspired by a photograph that hangs in the Bennigton museum, Winthrop brings "Grace" to life in this lovely book about a young girl working in a textile mill in North Pownal, Vermont. Addie is a spunky sparkling character who brings history to life. Counting on Grace was the Vermont Reads book choice for 2007. I especially like the notes in the back on Lewis Hines - the teacher/photographer whose photographs were pivotal in ending child labor practices.

1910. Pownal, Vermont. At 12, Grace and her best friend Arthur must leave school and go to work as a “doffers” on their mothers’ looms in the mill. Grace’s mother is the best worker, fast and powerful, and Grace desperately wants to help her. But she’s left handed and doffing is a right-handed job. Grace’s every mistake costs her mother, and the family. She only feels capable on Sundays, when she and Arthur receive special lessons from their teacher. Together they write a secret letter to the Child Labor Board about underage children working in Pownal. A few weeks later a man with a camera shows up. It is the famous reformer Lewis Hine, undercover, collecting evidence for the Child Labor Board. Grace’s brief acquaintance with Hine and the photos he takes of her are a gift that changes her sense of herself, her future, and her family’s future.


From the Hardcover edition.

"History and fiction are woven seamlessly together in this beautifully
written novel. Readers won't soon forget Grace." - School Library Journal, Starred

"Vividly portrays mill life and four characters who resist its deadening
effects. . . . Solid research and lively writing." - Kirkus Reviews

"The child-labor story is gripping." - Booklist

Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Distributor: Random House, Inc.
Publication Date: 08-14-2007
Pages: 240
Measurements: 7.74in X 5.08in X .64in X .36lb