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Coal River
Coal River
Author: Ellen Marie Wiseman
One young woman's determination to put an end to child labor in a Pennsylvania mining town... As a child, Emma Malloy left isolated Coal River, Pennsylvania, vowing never to return. Now, orphaned and penniless at nineteen, she accepts a train ticket from her aunt and uncle and travels back to the rough-hewn community. — Treated ...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781617734472
ISBN-10: 1617734470
Publication Date: 11/24/2015
Pages: 304
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 20

3.8 stars, based on 20 ratings
Publisher: Kensington
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Audio CD
Members Wishing: 5
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

junie avatar reviewed Coal River on + 630 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A disturbing story taking place in a coal mining town in the early 1900's. It was hard to read about the men who work the mines especially about boys as young as 6 working in the extremely dangerous breakers. Their job was to separate impurities from coal by hand without gloves.

It is also the heartbreaking story of Emma who takes it upon herself to bring the atrocities of the mine owners to the attention of the country by writing to the NY Times. .Emma's story is tragic and hard to read.

It is not a happy book, you will not crack a smile while reading it, one can only cry. The ending is as satisfactory as it could be.
susieqmillsacoustics avatar reviewed Coal River on + 1062 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book! Remember the old Tennessee Ernie Ford song "Sixteen Tons"? This town and the characters are living that song. Throw in a touch of "Ghost Story" and our protagonist takes on some dangerous risks to save the children and their families.
Read All 2 Book Reviews of "Coal River"


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