Bread and Roses, Too

Reach for this book when your child starts asking tough questions about why some people have so much while others have so little, or when they are struggling to understand the risks people take to demand fair treatment. It is a powerful tool for discussing the history of labor rights through the eyes of two children who find themselves caught in the middle of a massive strike. The story follows Rosa, an Italian immigrant girl, and Jake, a rough-around-the-edge boy, as they are sent away from the violence of the Lawrence textile strike to stay with strangers in Vermont. Through their journey, the book explores themes of class struggle, the immigrant experience, and the true meaning of bravery. While it deals with intense topics like poverty and police brutality, it remains deeply rooted in the bond between two unlikely friends, making it a perfect choice for middle schoolers ready for nuanced historical fiction.