Ashes of Roses

My opinion on the book is it was exciting all the way through the book. There was not a dull moment in this book. The author really goes deep into detail and talk about the feelings of rose. Rose came to America with her family. Turns out that her brother could not stay in America because of a eye infection. Rose’s father went back to Ireland. Rose and whats left of her family go to there father;s brother Uncle Patrick. He is very rich compared to them. It turns out that Uncle Patrick’s family hates Rose’s. Rose’s mother said they were causing to much trouble and they were going back to Ireland. Uncle Patrick paid for their tickets. They were on the dock when Rose said that said that she had gone through to much to go back. Maureen stays with Rose in America. They find an apartment and Rose finds a job at a shirt waist factory. One normal day Rose is about done work and about to leave. Then someone shouts FIRE! The best part of the book is right when Rose stands up for herself. She got a job at a flower making shop and her boss tried to kiss her and she ran out but she left her coat. The next morning she went back got her money and coat.

Reader reviewed by chick box

this book was truly amazing. it is about the triangle fire in 1911. not only does it teach you about one of the biggest tragedys in the U.S but it also teaches you of the struggles of an immagrant in that time period to find a job and find there place in America.

This book is about a girl named rose. she came with her mother, father, 2sisters and brother to the u.s. when they arrived her brother was not allowed to pass into the united states because he had an eye disease. Roses father had to return to ireland with her brother until he was completely healed. her mother however could not stand living here and returns to ireland but Rose and her sister Margeret refuse to return and stay in the u.s. Rose has to support her sister and must find a job. the job she finds is at the Triangle Shirt Waist factory. that is were the fire starts and this is the story of many people that dreadful day.

Reader reviewed by Kaiti

WOW is about all i have to say about this book. Im a 14 year old that reads constantly and although i am hardly without a book, this one was by my side for the whole 2 days it took me to read it! (yeah i know a long time eh?)

This book not only was an interesting coming of age story of a young girl, it more then interested me in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. The way that Mary Jane wrote the girls experience in the fire was more then amazing. I mean, basically everyone has heard of the Triangle Shirtwaist Facory Fire, and maybe even gone over it in a history class or two, but the way she told the story of what happened to her that saturday on the ninth floor was as if you were really there, really her, the whole heartbreaking story just sinks into your heart in an unbelievable way.

I can't put into words the emotions this book made me feel, and i can't wait to read more by Mary Jane!

Reader reviewed by Gaille

Thanks to Sarah Ban Breathnach, I am reading Children's Books. I say children's books as I am a 54 year old Canadian Woman. I have read other books about this great tragedy but Mary Jane's book really opened my eyes of immigrant life. Not all people where accepted by Customs and the decsions that had to be made within the families could be horrendous. Who stays and who goes.

Mary Jane not only wrote about the tragedy but the back ground of the people who worked in the sweat shop. Her research was imppeccable. She made us care about the people. In the final pages of her story, she writes about the fire and the trauma the women went through. And later the families trying to recover/discover the remains of their loved ones.

I can see why she dedicated the book to the tragedy of 2001. So many similarities!

Bravo Mary Jane!

Reader reviewed by Thuy.H

Wow this is an amazing book i am only 13 years of age, i mean this book something that i wouldn't think in a million years i would be reading this, and i usally will read the first few pages of a book then be like oh my goodnees this is kind of borning but if it wasn't for FEVER(forget everything and read)it's this program where we have to find a novel or magazine to read fir 15- 20 mins at the begining of class, well anyways i would have never grab something like "Ashes of Roses" of the shell, but overall this book is the "BEST" book i have read so far in my like.
Thanks, Thuy

Reader reviewed by Jamie

This book takes place in the year 1911. 16 year old Rose's family is coming over to America from Ireland. But once they get to New york they have to be checked by a doctor. Rose's little brother has to be sent back so her dad goes with the baby. Rose, her mom and two younger sisters stay in America. They are there for 2 days when Rose's mom decides to go back but Rose and one of her sisters stay. The book is about the two sisters trying to live in America. It's a really great book!