Read Aloud Play: The Newsies--The Newsboy Strike of 1899

Originally published in the March 2015 issue of Scholastic’s Scope magazine, "The Newsies" tells the story of a young immigrant girl who goes to work selling newspapers just before the 1899 New York City newsboy strike in which kids stood up to William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. It's a historically more accurate version than the Disney musical (a completely different story). Suitable for reader's theater or stage production, this historically-accurate, kid-friendly script includes eleven pages, parts for from 12 to 17 students (depending on your casting needs), a comprehension activity, key, and background info. Consider pairing it with "Stolen Childhoods," my play about Lewis Hine's crusade to end child labor. If you'd prefer a "musified" version, check out my Newsies Against the World Mini Musical. Use it with students in grades 4 through 7 to improve fluency, build comprehension, and inspire interest in US History. Fully reproducible: the original purchaser is licensed to reproduce one classroom set per year. Thanks!