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Emma Carlson Berne is the author of over 120 books for juvenile, middle grade, and young adult readers, including Books By Horseback, illustrated by Ilaria Urbinati, and Shabbat Sabotage, a middle-grade mystery. She has worked with American Girl Publishing, Disney Lucasfilm, Simon & Shuster, National Geographic Kids, and Scholastic among others. She often ghostwrites under the names Jake Maddox, Lila Stewart, Elizabeth Woods, and Hailey Abbott. She often writes about Jewish history and culture. Emma lives with her family in Cincinnati, Ohio. Giovanni Abeille is an Italian illustrator born and raised in Naples, a beautiful city in southern Italy overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. From an early age he filled albums, sheets, and notebooks with drawings and continues to do so today for various publishing houses around the world. He has been an upholsterer, salesman, banker, set dresser and even a fireman. However, his path has always been drawing, creativity and art. He lives in Italy.
One powerful voice can effect powerful change. Polish Jewish immigrant Rose Schneiderman was 8 when she arrived in New York City with her parents in the late 19th century. Even as a child, she loved talking and arguing about ideas. At age 13, she left school to help support her family, finding employment in a hat factory. In early-20th-century New York, this meant buying her own sewing machine and enduring long hours in dirty, unsafe, and unfair working conditions. Having kept silent for fear of losing her much-needed job, Rose finally spoke up upon learning women earned less than men; organizing female co-workers to protest as a group was key, and some conditions improved, including wage increases. This victory of sorts eventually led to others. In 1909, Rose led a massive strike for factory workers’ rights. As time went on, more employees, employers, then journalists and politicians heeded this woman of small stature (only 4-foot-9) and big voice, and factory conditions continued to improve, particularly after her rousing address at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House. This is a quiet, respectful, stirring look at a courageous workers’ rights champion, written in straightforward, accessible prose. The simple illustrations are cast mostly in brown shades, reflecting the somberness of poverty and dire labor practices. (This book was reviewed digitally.) An inspiring portrait of a woman committed to making a difference and whose influence is still felt to this day. (more about Rose Schneiderman, author's note) (Picture-book biography. 5-8) --Kirkus Reviews
