by Joanne Friar (Illustrator), Marlene Targ Brill (Author)
During the mid-1800s, thousands of girls and boys worked all day, six days a week, in textile mills around the country. One of the biggest mills was Amoskeag, in New Hampshire. This was the mill where young Margaret Knight and her family worked. Like her coworkers, Margaret was deeply troubled by the dangerous looms and deadly accidents that occurred so often. Margaret determined to invent something to make the looms safer. But in 1850, it wasn't easy for a twelve-year-old girl to prove she could make a difference. This story of a brave girl inventor was a 2002 National Council of Social Studies/Children's Book Council Notable Trade Book.
Author Biography
Marlene Targ Brill is author of 69 award-winning books. Most are nonfiction or at least based on fact, such as Margaret's story. Brill writes about everything from tooth fairies to the Underground Railroad to children with special needs. But her favorite stories are about real children from history, real events in their lives, and how the events changed lives of others. To learn more about Brill's other books or contact her for presentations, check out her website at marlenetargbrill.com.