The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women

I was thrilled to get the opportunity to talk with Katy Lynch of Sourcebooks while I was at BookExpo this year. She took the time to share lots of new books coming out from Sourcebooks. We talked a bit about my favorite genres, and I asked her which book she recommended for me the most. Katy didn't really hesitate; she put a copy of The Radium Girls in my hands.

With that kind of recommendation, Radium Girls became the first book I pulled from the 98 pounds of books I brought home from BookExpo. I'm so glad I did.

The Radium Girls is the story of young women, some as young as fourteen, who worked in factories during the 1920's and 1930's, painting the faces of watches. With radium. Oh yes, radium. To paint the tiny numbers, the girls had to put their paintbrushes in their mouths to make a fine point. All the while, the companies making huge profits from this work told the girls that the radium was harmless.

Kate Moore tells the stories of these girls and young women, as they move from happy employees making great money into women with terrifying health issues. It's a poignant and deeply moving book, and it is well told.

I highly recommend this book.