When thrift-store aficionado Julie discovers a series of antique paintings with hidden glowing images that are only visible in the dark, she wants to learn more about the artist. In her search, she uncovers a century-old romance and the haunting true story of the Radium Girls, young women who used radioactive paint to make the world’s first glow-in-the-dark products—and ultimately became … radioactive themselves. As Julie’s obsession with the paintings mounts, truths about the Radium Girls—and her own complicated relationships—are revealed. But will she uncover the truth about the luminous paintings before putting herself and everyone she loves at risk?
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My granddaughter knew about The Radium Girls by Kate Moore and searched for a YA book she could read. She found Glow by Megan E. Bryant and asked me to bring her a copy if I could.
I did find a copy and, intrigued by the description, decided to read it myself.
Bryant does an excellent job of weaving Julie’s search for answers to the origin and meaning of the mysterious paintings she found in a thrift shop with Lydia and her life as one of the Radium Girls during WWI.
It’s a perfect read for YA and adults too.
BLURB
Lydia is thrilled to join the working girls in the factory, where they paint luminous watch dials for the soldiers fighting in World War I. In the future, these girls will be known as the tragic Radium Girls: factory workers not only poisoned by the glowing paint, but who also had to fight against men who knew of the paint’s deadly effect. One hundred years later, Julie, whose life is on hold after high school, becomes intrigued by a series of mysterious antique paintings she finds in a thrift store. When she discovers their hidden-and increasingly nightmarish-glowing images, Julie is determined to learn more about them. As Julie’s obsession mounts, truths about the Radium Girls-and her own complicated relationships-are revealed. Can she uncover the secrets behind the paintings before she puts herself and everyone she loves at risk?
http://www.darlenejonesauthor.com
Glow was intended as a YA novel, but I couldn’t put it down. It’s a fictionalized account that incorporates the true story of the Radium Girls, young women who were exposed to radioactive paints while painting luminescent watches for soldiers in World War One. Author Megan Bryant goes back and forth between modern day and the early 1900’s to weave a story that will keep you turning pages.
I found Glow to be an interesting and compelling read. There are two timelines in the story. Julie, a modern day 18 year-old and the Grayson sisters who work in a WWI factory, painting luminescent watch dials. Their world are linked when Julie finds some unusual paintings in a thrift store and starts to investigate their origin. I found the Grayson sisters’ story far more compelling than Julie’s. I found it implausible that Julie did not solve the mystery of the paintings much sooner, it being the age of Google. This book is a great introduction to the story of the Radium Girls and the concept of workplace safety. After reading this, I am so interested in this issue that I will read the non-fiction book The Radium Girls.
Fascinating story!
In this historical fiction book, Glow , links the past to the present. Jules is the present looking at the past through a painting – a luminescent painting underneath reveals another story. After buying the second painting that revealed a horrific scene, Jules wants to find out more about the painter. As Jules investigates the glow-in-the-dark paint, she learns about the historic use of the paint during the war. Jules discovers that the use of the paint was during the war painting dials on watches so the soldiers could see. Little did those girls using the paint know the health risks involved with radioactive paint. The story of the Radium Girls comes to light as Jules investigates the past. I loved this historical fiction novel! I did not know about the Radium Girls until I read this book. Bryant did a great job portraying what the horrific ordeal those young women went through in support of the war effort and linking the past and present.
Strong characters tell the true story of girls who worked with radioactive material in the early 1900’s. Unbeknownst to them, the beautiful glowing material they worked with was killing them. The protagonist’s struggle to inform others is very realistic.
Interesting historical fiction, sad story about talented young women whose lives were cut way too short
Enjoyed this book gave me insight into an aspect of working women in the early 1900’s that i had no knowledge of
I’ve been aware of the Radium Girls for years. How this work basically killed them or injured them badly. This novel brings it to life. The young women who literally glowed. And the young woman who learned about the Radium Girls through the eerie paintings left behind one of three sisters.