AUDACITY, by Melanie Crowder

The story: Clara wants to be a doctor--but it's 1908, and she's Jewish. Even her father thinks she should keep her mouth shut and work hard to support the family without complaint--and without ever aspiring to anything more. But as Clara endures the dreadful working conditions in New York shirtwaist factories of the time, she gradually changes into a union sympathizer and organizer: beaten, kicked, and bullied, but unstoppable.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G: GLBT content G; adult themes (sweatshops, equality for women, racial and religious prejudice, mob violence) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: While I personally found this novel in verse a very interesting and even inspiring read, the average MS kid won't touch it. Best for HS readers--okay, girls--with an interest in historical fiction.