It's 1910, and thirteen-year-old Raisa has just traveled alone from a small Polish shtetl all the way to New York City. It's overwhelming, awe-insp...
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reviews
Oct 23, 2011
Kelly
rated it: 
2.75. Not quite a 3, but more than a 2.5.
This one started really slow. For about 100 pages, we're in Poland and we meet about 100 characters who don't matter much at all to the plot. It's jarring and difficult to care about the main character, Raisa, because she's immediately given a false name but then allowed to keep her real name. That didn't clarify a whole lot.
But when I hit page 100 or so, and Raisa was on the boat to America, things really picked up. Suddenly she More...
This one started really slow. For about 100 pages, we're in Poland and we meet about 100 characters who don't matter much at all to the plot. It's jarring and difficult to care about the main character, Raisa, because she's immediately given a false name but then allowed to keep her real name. That didn't clarify a whole lot.
But when I hit page 100 or so, and Raisa was on the boat to America, things really picked up. Suddenly she More...
Aug 23, 2011
Samiyah
rated it: 
I read "Threads and Flames" by Esther Friesner. "Threads and Flames" is about a girl name Raisa who leaves her small village and immigrates to New York City to find her sister Henda. On the boat to America Raisa meets a girl name Zusa and over the course of the trip they become close friends. They also meet a little girl named Brina who's mother dies on the trip and Raisa decides to take her in. When she arrives at her sister said to be address Henda is nowhere to be found. S
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May 29, 2011
Mrs.
rated it: 
"Threads and Flames" is historical fiction at its best! It features Raisa, a spunky Jewish girl at the turn of the 20th century who has emigrated to America from a tiny Polish town. She is on her own from the start (although she makes some great friends and gains a "cousin" on the ship over) and is dismayed when she gets to America and can't find her older sister who sent for her. She manages to find boarding, and a job, even a beau! Unfortunately the job she finds is at the
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Dec 27, 2010
Margo
rated it:
2011 marks the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire, one of the most important events in American labor history. This anniversary makes the release of Threads and Flames by Esther Friesner particularly timely.
Friesner's novel opens in 1910, with thirteen-year old Raisa, recently recuperated from typhus, leaving her Polish shtetl to meet up with her sister Henda in America. After a long and difficult journey by cart, train, and ship, Raisa finally arrives in New More...
Friesner's novel opens in 1910, with thirteen-year old Raisa, recently recuperated from typhus, leaving her Polish shtetl to meet up with her sister Henda in America. After a long and difficult journey by cart, train, and ship, Raisa finally arrives in New More...
Dec 19, 2010
Michelle
rated it: 
All her life Raisa has dreamed of leaving her small Polish shetl and following her older sister to that golden land, America. At only thirteen years old however in 1910, she isn't the best equipped for traveling half-way across the world, alone, to a country she's never stepped foot in before. But Raisa is determined to reunite with her sister and begins her perilous journey across Europe, the ocean, before finally landing in Ellis Island, New York. Everything is new and confusing to young Raisa
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Aug 02, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
After just barely surviving a deathly illness in her small Polish shtetl, thirteen year-old Raisa travels alone to America to find her older sister in 1910 New York City. When she arrives and can find no trace of her sister, Raisa finds a job to pay rent for herself and the young orphan, Brina, she took in during the voyage to the States. Despite the daily mind numbing work and despair over her lost sister, she begins to make a new life in her new home with friends and even love. But when a sMore...
Jul 25, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Threads and Flames should have been terrible. I mean, an immigrant who sews? A factory that catches fire? Not my type of book at all.
To my complete surprise, I was sucked in almost immediately. Raisa is a strong character that you want to root for. Her struggle in coming to America, and trying to make a life for herself while also searching for her sister was just totally enthralling. The story is written in a way that you feel as though you are seeing this new, strange world with R More...
To my complete surprise, I was sucked in almost immediately. Raisa is a strong character that you want to root for. Her struggle in coming to America, and trying to make a life for herself while also searching for her sister was just totally enthralling. The story is written in a way that you feel as though you are seeing this new, strange world with R More...
Jul 08, 2011
Ashley
rated it:
The beginning of this novel has a bit of a slower pace, but very quickly I became wrapped up in Raisa’s story, caring about her and wanting her to succeed. ‘Threads and Flames’ presents such an interesting account of what it must have been like as an immigrant coming to America and living in poverty. This is a story that involves religious persecution, the reality of social classes, and working conditions for the poor.
Even though the whole book was mesmerizing, the events described w More...
Even though the whole book was mesmerizing, the events described w More...
Nov 12, 2011
Heidi
rated it:
While not quite as emotionally powerful as Haddix's Uprising, Friesner still creates characters and setting that are believable. I became quite attached to Raisa, Brina, Gavrel, and the rest. Raise comes to America to escape her Jewish Shtetl. She plans to meet up with her sister, Henda, in New York. But when she gets there with a young girl she has taken under her wing, she finds her sister missing. Frantically, Raisa looks for her sister, but first she must find a place to live and a job
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Mar 18, 2011
Yara
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
May 29, 2011
Kris
rated it:
I give this one 2.5 stars. It is not NEARLY as good as "Uprising" by Margaret Peterson Haddix.
The beginning was rushed and a little confusing. I actually had no idea Raisa was supposed to be 13 - I figured at least 16. I found all the characters a little flat and the ending to be much too convenient, neat and a little cliche. Most of the book is devoted to finding Raisa's sister and so it kind of feels like everything else is an afterthought.
I will say, More...
The beginning was rushed and a little confusing. I actually had no idea Raisa was supposed to be 13 - I figured at least 16. I found all the characters a little flat and the ending to be much too convenient, neat and a little cliche. Most of the book is devoted to finding Raisa's sister and so it kind of feels like everything else is an afterthought.
I will say, More...
Jul 17, 2011
Jill
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book--it gave a personal view to a very tragic event (the Triangle Shirtwaist fire.) I remembered learning about this in school and being horrified that the workers couldn't escape the fire because of locked doors and I found out I felt the same when reading about it from Raisa's point of view. The book also inspired me to look online for some factual info about the actual fire. The author does a really good job of keeping this real. One thing I did wonder about is if there
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Mar 10, 2011
Angela
rated it:
If I'd put it together earlier that Friesner also wrote Sphinx's Queen, I think I would have ended up skipping this entirely. This was a bit of a chore for me to work through, and has a lot of the same problems I saw in Sphinx's Queen. I need to pay better attention to who I'm reading...
We're less than two weeks away from the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. It's been nine years since I read my first book on the tragedy, Ashes of Roses. It's still a terrible tragedy More...
We're less than two weeks away from the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. It's been nine years since I read my first book on the tragedy, Ashes of Roses. It's still a terrible tragedy More...
Dec 16, 2011
Diana
rated it:
Seems like I always like books about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, including Marrin's Flesh and Blood so Cheap. Haddix's Uprising and Auch's Ashes of Roses are also great, though sad, reads.
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Dec 02, 2011
I think the best thing about Threads and Flames is that Friesner provides oodles of information and context without ever making me feel that I'm reading a book about the plight of immigrants or factory girls and how the injustices they faced lead to the tragedy of the Triangle fire. I was simply reading an engaging story about Raisa's new life in America, complete with a little bit of mystery, a little bit of (the cutest without being the least bit saccharine) romance, and a whole lot of my-gump
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May 31, 2011
Bookworm1858
rated it:
Threads and Flames by Esther Friesner
Viking, 2010
386 pages
YA; Historical
4/5 stars
Source: Library
Read for YA Overlooked Book Battle.
This book was a great historical fiction novel with its main conflict coming from the famous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire on March 25, 1911 where the main character Raisa and most of her friends work. But that doesn't occur until near the end of the book.
Raisa just managed to survive typhus in her Polish More...
Viking, 2010
386 pages
YA; Historical
4/5 stars
Source: Library
Read for YA Overlooked Book Battle.
This book was a great historical fiction novel with its main conflict coming from the famous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire on March 25, 1911 where the main character Raisa and most of her friends work. But that doesn't occur until near the end of the book.
Raisa just managed to survive typhus in her Polish More...
May 23, 2011
Lauren
rated it:
"Threads and Flames" is historical fiction at its best! It features Raisa, a spunky Jewish girl at the turn of the 20th century who has emigrated to America from a tiny Polish town. She is on her own from the start (although she makes some great friends and gains a "cousin" on the ship over) and is dismayed when she gets to America and can't find her older sister who sent for her. She manages to find boarding, and a job, even a beau! Unfortunately the job she finds is at the
More...
Jan 19, 2011
Ariell
rated it:
Wow, I am glad it all came together in the end. I don't mind some tragedy, and considering this fictional story has true historical events involved that were truly catastrophic, I appreciate that she found a way to close it in a satisfying manner.
I hate spoilers so I won't go into detail. If you've read the cover you know that is based around the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire. That really happened. I love historical fiction just for the history lesson I get. It always sparks my interest More...
I hate spoilers so I won't go into detail. If you've read the cover you know that is based around the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire. That really happened. I love historical fiction just for the history lesson I get. It always sparks my interest More...
Dec 27, 2010
Nicole
rated it:
I didn't think I'd like Threads and Flames as much as I did. I expected it to be a decent historical fiction novel, but I didn't expect to get sucked into it. I loved Raisa and her determination and hard work, and Brina was ADORABLE. All of the characters were really well done, and I thought she captured the time perfectly.
[SPOILER ALERT]
However, the book had a happy ending. And that's great! I LOVE happy endings!
But this was a perfect happy ending. She found her sister; More...
[SPOILER ALERT]
However, the book had a happy ending. And that's great! I LOVE happy endings!
But this was a perfect happy ending. She found her sister; More...
Dec 15, 2010
Kelsey
rated it:
Threads and Flames was a well written and intriguing novel by seasoned YA author Esther Friesner. This was my first book by Esther, but it definitely won't be my last. She created a fantastic and inspiring main character and the historical details were flawless. I love historical fiction and Threads and Flames was no exception. Raisa was a determined and likable main character and my heart went out to her when things became dangerous or difficult. I haven't read too many books about teenage girl
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Feb 15, 2011
Kristen
rated it:
Why I read this: I was sent this for review and noticed it was historical fiction and by Esther Friesner, who is awesome and I couldn't not read it. :)
Plot: Set during the early 1900s in America, the book follows an immigrant character looking for her older sister who came over a few years earlier. Raisa has come over with her little sister Brina and must find work while she continues to look for her older sister. Ending up with work in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, she witnesses More...
Plot: Set during the early 1900s in America, the book follows an immigrant character looking for her older sister who came over a few years earlier. Raisa has come over with her little sister Brina and must find work while she continues to look for her older sister. Ending up with work in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, she witnesses More...
Jan 23, 2011
Kenny
rated it:
Threads And Flames was an okay novel, but a little less boring. This novel is about a girl who makes her move on the city of New York. I find it really interesting where Raisa finds out her sister has been missing or gone and she must defend herself. Raisa discover work at a factory known as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. This was at the time of 1910 and she met some buddies and love. At the year of 1911 something happened and it was where the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory being on fire. Ha
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May 24, 2011
Jodi
rated it:
Threads and Flames is a quick enjoyable YA read. I've heard about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (who hasn't?) but knew very little about it. This novel filled in some of the gaps of my scanty knowledge of this tragedy and left me wanting to learn more. Which of course is what good historical fiction does.
Jan 25, 2011
Norma
rated it:
Historically accurate fictional account of Raisa, an orphaned teenage Jewish girl who travels alone from Poland to America in 1910, only to find that the sister who preceded her there is nowhere to be found. Raisa finds work making ladies' garments on the Lower East Side of New York at the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Company.
Feb 23, 2011
Mrs. Tongate
rated it:
Love this book! I am a sucker for a Triangle Shirtwaist Factory book. I find this horrific event 100 years ago so intriguing. I enjoyed Threads, Ashes of Roses, Lost, and Uprising. All are wonderful YA historical fiction reads marking this moment in US History. If you haven't read one, put one on your list to read.
Sep 23, 2011
Amy
rated it:
If you like historical fiction, I strongly recommend this book. It is incredible to me to think that this is still a problem that persists today (that the ladders on firetrucks are still not long enough to reach people in certain buildings.) You'd think we would have learned our lesson by now.
Mar 15, 2011
Anne
rated it:
A fascinating look at era of the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in NYC in 1911 from the perspective of Raisa, a Jewish girl working at one of the sewing machines in the factory.
*Note: While parts of the story are heartbreaking, there is way too much happy ending here to seem truly realistic.
*Note: While parts of the story are heartbreaking, there is way too much happy ending here to seem truly realistic.
Jan 13, 2011
Erin(and Hannah)
rated it:
This was a good, historical fiction teen book about the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire in the early 1900's. The characters had spunk and dimension. It helped set up the true incident of that tragic fire. Though a bit predictable in the other storylines, it was a nice read.
Jun 07, 2011
Lora
rated it:
2-1/2 stars, actually. I enjoyed the book, but it certainly is not the best one out there on the Triangle fire. Ashes of Roses tells the story much better. Raisa was a compelling character, but unfortunately, it felt to me like the author was trying to cover too many things in one book to come together in a cohesive novel and the ending was entirely too pat, even for YA fiction.
Feb 05, 2011
Cheryl
rated it:
I liked the historical background of New York City in 1910 and the
Jewish family life conversation. The author whips the loose ends together a little too quickly and neatly at the end. I think the subject matter is too intense for kids.
Jewish family life conversation. The author whips the loose ends together a little too quickly and neatly at the end. I think the subject matter is too intense for kids.
