January 1905
Katharine Boling

Twins Pauline and Arlene despise each other. Arlene was born with a malformed foot and spends her days working at home alone, while Pauline joins the family working long days at a textile factory. Pauline thinks Arlene is lazy and favored, while Arlene thinks that Pauline is perfect and not "a burden." After a child worker loses his thumb in a machine, and subsequently injures Pauline's foot during his fall, Arlene is able to take over the boy's job as a sweeper. Suddenly both girls gain some insight into the other's life, and come to understand and appreciate each other. This quick read, told in the twins' alternating voices, was enjoyable, and gave good historical information about child labor and factory conditions at the turn of the century. It also includes discussion questions and a historical footnote, and would be ideal for classroom use. Highly Recommended.