Counting On Grace

This book is based in 1910 in Pownal Vermont at a textile mill. This wonderful work of fiction follows a young girl through her fight for education. It follows her through her horrifying experiences in the mill. It follows her as she learns how to decipher right from wrong. She loses three of her closest companions all in one year, and this, although sad, helps her discover her inner strength.

The main character in this book is Grace. Grace is twelve years old. She loves school and wants to be a teacher. She is left handed, which makes doffing in the mill extra hard, yet is the reason she allows the thought to enter her head that children should finish their education so that they can get a better job when they are old enough. Arthur is Grace's classmate and friend. He hates the mill and is willing to do almost anything to get out. Miss Lesley is Grace's teacher. She tries to keep the children in school as long as she can. She is constantly encouraging Grace to become a teacher. Pépé is Grace's grandfather. Grace loves him even though he is feeble minded, and she is often stuck taking care of him. Lewis Hine is a photographer who is trying to bring awarness to child labor. At the time there were new laws to prevent child labor, yet they were rarely reenforced. Lewis visits Gace's mill and documents all the illigal happenings with her help.

The theme of this book is making the right decisions. My favorite part of this book was when Grace got Arthur's book back to prove that she was not a tattlewee (little tattletale) and was worthy of trust. My least favorite part was when Maméré (Grace's mom) slapped Pépé. I think Elizabeth Winthrop wants us to understand that no matter your age you can always create change for the better.

I found this book interesting, although rather sluggish. I would recommend it if you like slow, thoughtful, albeit repetitive books about reality. It would be most enjoyed by ages 95 - 97. This is a rainy/blizzard day book. This gets three out of ten stars.

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