I enjoyed this though I personally would have liked if it was longer and more developed. I think for this reason, it would be better marketed to a middle grade audience, perhaps as an educational aid.

I didn’t know about the Winnipeg strikes though I’m familiar with big strikes that have happened in my local area through history. I thought it was well-written and important to note how even though it is 100 years on, people are still being paid unfairly or treated unjustly and that a united voice is stronger than the voice of one (though it only takes one person to speak first).

Overall, a nice, little read.

This was an emotional story about the 1919 strike in Winnipeg. It was extremely frustrating to read about working families barely able to feed their families on their wages. This strike led to Bloody Saturday where some were killed and many hurt just because they wanted a living wage.

I think this would be a great read for middle school students who want to learn about families during this time period.

I knew nothing about the Winnipeg strike until I read this book, and I always love learning new historical things, so this book was very useful. I love reading about Cassies resilience and determination surrounding the strike, and how she made it relatable like it was all a holiday at the start before everyone started going hungry. I really liked the family and friendships in this book, and the way we see that some people couldnt afford to strike so had to promote the oppositions news in order to keep their family fed. Makes me very pleased we arent in that position anymore. Glad I requested this book.

I had no prior knowledge of the 1919 Winnipeg strike. Papergirl was educational and informative. While the story is good and unfolds at a good pace and a fast read, I think it's better for educational purposes. Middle school readers could learn a lot from this story. I recommend as a teaching tool. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Melinda McCracken's Papergirl feels incredibly timely for a novel set in 1919, written in the early 80s, and released in 2019. This feminist labour rights historical fiction novel for middle-graders should hit the spot for many readers.

The story of Cassie and her family and friends as they navigate during the Winnipeg General Strike in 1919 is engaging as it uses real historical facts to tell about the little things and the big things in a major event in Canadian history. This isn't watered down, but it always feels age appropriate, and I think so many kids today could find this to be something that allows them to connect to history and learn about events that helped to shape labour laws and worker's rights in Canada.

McCracken's writing style is reminiscent of writing in children's novels in the 80s (which is when she wrote it), and it definitely made me feel nostalgic for novels I read as a child. I think anyone who enjoys children's books from then will find something to like here, but those who enjoy current children's writing might find themselves enjoying it less.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. Papergirl is a forward-thinking history novel for middle-graders, but it definitely hit me in the right places even though I am an adult. I'll definitely be recommending this novel to people of all ages over the next several months.

Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Roseway Publishing through NetGalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book. 

The 1919 Winnipeg General Strike was one of the most influential strikes in Canadian history, and set the groundwork for positive change for workers. --Papergirl, Afterword

I am the most ashamed Winnipeg native right now. I had no idea this was part of our history! I did do all my education in Quebec, but honestly, this huge gap in my knowledge cannot be forgiven. 

When ten-year-old Cassie first hears about a strike, all she can think is, "Cool, does that mean I get time off school?" She knows that the high cost of food and equally low pay for workers means people are struggling. Her best friend Mary comes to eat at her house, because food is so scarce at her own home. But the whole concept of people not working seems more like an extended vacation — even to the adults, at first, who think the strike will last no more than a week.

The path from the strike to worker's rights wasn't short or straightforward. It took almost three decades after the strike for Canadian workers to win the right to representation by a union and collective bargaining rights. -Papergirl, Afterword

As the strike is extended, Cassie and Mary leave school to help with the cause. Mary, along with her mother, works at a kitchen providing food for women and children. Cassie, our heroine, sells the bulletin containing updates on the striker's progress. 

Cassie learns how important it is to spread the truth, and falls in love with her job as a papergirl. She also witnesses firsthand the difficulties of poverty and true hunger. As a papergirl, she observes a boy who works for the "rich people," those who do not see the importance of striking. This boy, Freddy, hides his identity as an immigrant to make money for his family. 

"Can they really send people back to England?"
"They can do anything they want." Freddy shrugged [...] --Papergirl

Papergirl is educational, with a positive message. Clearly I knew nothing about the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, and McCracken's work illuminated me. Description is given to the food, the way of life, the clothes people wear. What I love most is that this middle-grade novel sheds light on an important moment in Canadian history that has such relevant ties to issues today. 

The information can be passed on a bit heavy-handed on times, particularly in the first two chapters. I think this book is best for classroom use, or for paired-reading (older person with child). This way the younger reader can be assisted during more difficult passages. There is also a trigger warning for death, starvation, and violence. These scenes are not described in detail but could be frightening to some children. 

3.5 crowns. Interested readers need to be aware this is not an action-packed book but one focused on the learning aspects of this historical period. The informational portions of the book sometimes came in stronger than character development. An overall enjoyable read.

Review going up on blog MARCH 25: https://bookprincessreviews.wordpress.com/
Review going up on Goodreads MARCH 25; https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2674179575

I never really had thought about the side of strike that it matter what sex. I guess being that it's 1919 it did. The view through the eyes of a young girl that just wanted to help. Cassie reminds me of Sout from To Kill A Mockingbird. Very educational. I agree others if you like Little House on the Prairie you're going to love this.

Papergirl
by Melinda McCracken
Fernwood Publishing
Roseway Publishing
Teens & YA
Pub Date 01 Apr 2019


I am reviewing a copy of Papergirl Through Fernwood Publishing and Netgalley:


This book transports us back to 1919 Winnipeg, where we meet ten year old Cassie who lives with her working class family. It is a time when The Great War and Spanish Influenza have taken their toll. The workers of the city have become frustrated with long hours and unfair wages. When the workers sEt up a general strike, Cassie whose bright and determined and very bored at school desperately wants to help.


Cassie begins volunteering for the strike committee as a papergirl, she distributs the Strike Bulletin at Portrage and Main. From that corner she sees the strike start to take shape. As she is threatened and taunted by the wealther kids she soon realizes the strike is a dangerous albeit necessary movement.



Cassie learns from her impoverished best friend Mary who voluntwere in the nearby labour cafe and Cassie’s brother whose a Police Officer in the strike communities center. As Cassie learns of the conditions that led to the strike she becomes more and more furious.


After an enormous but peaceful demonstratio becomes violent on Bloody Saturday, Cassie is changed forever by what is witnessed that day.


I give Papergirl five out of five star!


Happy Reading!

I received a free copy from netGalley in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed reading paper girl as told the story of the 1919 Winnipeg general strike of which I knew nothing. I think this book is a great introduction to not only the Winnipeg general strike but the need for striking and workers rights as a whole. I think this is a very important book that can be used wisely in a lot of history classooms.

A wonderful resource for children - and for adults too, since I had no idea about this strike! Would be great for teaching kids at both a local and a more widespread level.