James Smith

On a quiet Saturday in 1911, a fire tore through a factory in New York City-and changed history forever. Inside that building were hundreds of young workers, many just teenagers, sewing shirts in crowded, dusty rooms. Most were girls who had left their homelands to start new lives in America. They never expected their biggest danger wouldn't come from the streets-but from the very place they worked.
This book brings to life the real stories of bravery, struggle, and loss behind one of the worst workplace disasters in U. S. history. Through powerful storytelling and vivid detail, readers will meet the girls who stitched through exhaustion, the bosses who ignored safety, the heroes who tried to help, and the people who refused to let the tragedy be forgotten. Written for kids 7-12, this nonfiction book helps young readers understand not just what happened, but why it still matters today.
It shows how courage and teamwork can spark real change-even when the odds seem stacked against you. Perfect for classroom discussions, history lovers, or any young person who wants to learn how ordinary people can stand up, speak out, and make the world safer and fairer for everyone.