Which Side Are You On? The Story of a Song

The Story of a Song

Kids, Beautiful and Interesting, Music, My Family, My Feelings, My Friends, Social Issues, People and Places, History
Cover of the book Which Side Are You On? The Story of a Song by George Ella Lyon, Cinco Puntos Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: George Ella Lyon ISBN: 9781935955351
Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press Publication: January 1, 2014
Imprint: Cinco Puntos Press Language: English
Author: George Ella Lyon
ISBN: 9781935955351
Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press
Publication: January 1, 2014
Imprint: Cinco Puntos Press
Language: English

Which Side Are You On? tells the story of the classic union song that was written in 1931 by Florence Reece in a rain of bullets. It has been sung by people fighting for their rights all over the world. Florence's husband Sam was a coal miner in Kentucky. Many of the coal mines were owned by big companies, who kept wages low and spent as little money on safety as possible. Miners lived in company houses on company land and were paid in scrip, good only at the company store. The company owned the miners sure as sunrise.

That's why they had to have a union. Miners went on strike until they could get better pay, safer working conditions, and health care. The company hired thugs to attack union organizers like Sam Reece.

George Ella Lyon tells this hair-raising story through the eyes of one of Florence's daughters, a dry-witted, pig-tailed gal whose vantage point is from under the bed with her six brothers and sisters. The thugs' bullets hit the thin doors and windows of the company house and the kids lying low wonder whether they're going to make it out of this alive; wonder exactly if this strike will make their lives better or end them, but their mother keeps scribbling and singing. "We need a song," she tells her kids. That's not at all what they think they need. Graphic novelist Christopher Cardinale brings Florence's triumphant story to life in true rip-roaring union style.

Selected as an IRA Notable Book for a Global Society and a 2012 Skipping Stones Honor Book.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Which Side Are You On? tells the story of the classic union song that was written in 1931 by Florence Reece in a rain of bullets. It has been sung by people fighting for their rights all over the world. Florence's husband Sam was a coal miner in Kentucky. Many of the coal mines were owned by big companies, who kept wages low and spent as little money on safety as possible. Miners lived in company houses on company land and were paid in scrip, good only at the company store. The company owned the miners sure as sunrise.

That's why they had to have a union. Miners went on strike until they could get better pay, safer working conditions, and health care. The company hired thugs to attack union organizers like Sam Reece.

George Ella Lyon tells this hair-raising story through the eyes of one of Florence's daughters, a dry-witted, pig-tailed gal whose vantage point is from under the bed with her six brothers and sisters. The thugs' bullets hit the thin doors and windows of the company house and the kids lying low wonder whether they're going to make it out of this alive; wonder exactly if this strike will make their lives better or end them, but their mother keeps scribbling and singing. "We need a song," she tells her kids. That's not at all what they think they need. Graphic novelist Christopher Cardinale brings Florence's triumphant story to life in true rip-roaring union style.

Selected as an IRA Notable Book for a Global Society and a 2012 Skipping Stones Honor Book.

More books from Cinco Puntos Press

Cover of the book My Tata's Remedies / Los remedios de mi Tata by George Ella Lyon
Cover of the book That Mad Game by George Ella Lyon
Cover of the book Festival of the Bones / El Festival de las Calaveras by George Ella Lyon
Cover of the book Once Around the Block / Una Vuelta a la Manzana by George Ella Lyon
Cover of the book Conquistador of the Useless by George Ella Lyon
Cover of the book A Spoon for Every Bite / Cada Bocado con Nueva Cuchara by George Ella Lyon
Cover of the book Next by George Ella Lyon
Cover of the book The Bird Boys by George Ella Lyon
Cover of the book Folly Cove by George Ella Lyon
Cover of the book Last Night I Sang to the Monster by George Ella Lyon
Cover of the book Everything Begins and Ends at the Kentucky Club by George Ella Lyon
Cover of the book Long Fall from Heaven by George Ella Lyon
Cover of the book Playing for the Devil's Fire by George Ella Lyon
Cover of the book The Lovesick Skunk by George Ella Lyon
Cover of the book Saltypie by George Ella Lyon
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy