Books with author Catherine Brighton

Full of warmth, humor, and unforgettable characters, this story mixes social issues with the absurdity of reality TVThe first round of auditions was a bit crazy. All these wannabe popstars sitting around trying to look wacky/soulful/tragic (delete as appropriate) to catch the attention of the TV cameras. At least we had an awesome back story. The story of me, Agnes, Jimmy, and baby Alfie too; the tears, the tragedy, the broken homes and feuding families, the star-crossed lovers. And only some of it was made up. If I say so myself, it was genius: a sure-fire golden ticket to stratospheric stardom—or at least that was the plan.

The right to be paid for work, to have time off, and to work in a safe environment might seem to us as guaranteed. This book looks at the campaigns fought for workers' rights, such as the matchgirls’ strike in 1888 and the campaigns to end child labor and guarantee equal pay for women. Today workers being challenged by an increasingly global economy, climate change, and changing working patterns. Links to further information help readers find out more about current campaigns and become activists themselves.