Ashes of Roses by Mary Jane Auch

This historical fiction novel is set in New York City in 1911 - a time when many families were immigrating to the United States to find a better life.  Margaret Rose Nolan arrives at Ellis Island with her family, only to have it all fall apart when her baby brother does not pass the medical tests required upon entry to the US.  Rose is a quietly tenacious protagonist. She and her sister stay in New York on their own - Rose receives a quick education on the hardships of living in the tenements and working in the "sweatshops,"  all while taking care of her younger sister.

Despite the hardships, she is proud of her work and starts to make friends with her co-workers at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory...until the fateful day in 1911 when the factory catches fire.  Rose's account of her escape and subsequent panicked search for her friends and her sister after the fire are riveting. 146 people perished in this tragic fire, which ignited and spread within 30 minutes.   

This historical novel brings the era of the sweatshop to life through Rose's story...and it and offers a great introduction to the Triangle Fire and its legacy. There is an author's note at the end, describing how she used various sources to develop the characters and her story.

Here are two primary sources that connect to Ashes of Roses, showing firefighters putting out the triangle fire (located on the top 3 floors of the building) and showing the crowded conditions in a typical sweatshop:
                            

http://trianglefire.ilr.cornell.edu/primary/photosIllustrationshttp://trianglefire.ilr.cornell.edu/primary/photosIllustrations