In setting her latest historical novel against the backdrop of the struggle for fair labor practices in 1886 Chicago that culminated in the Haymarket Riot, Robinet (Walking to the Bus-Rider Blues; Forty Acres and Maybe a Mule) creates a story that is alternately engaging and far-fetched. Plucky 12-year-old Dinah and her two immigrant Austrian friends, siblings Ben, 16, and Olive, 12, work 12-hour days in factories to feed their families. Since the three dollars a week they make is not enough to cover rent and food, they "humbug" the wealthy—distract pedestrians and pickpocket them. Dinah, an African-American descended from royalty in Africa, is proud of her heritage and her father's key role in the labor movement. When her father's name is placed on a blacklist and he disappears, Dinah and her friends discover he has been imprisoned by Pinkertons (detectives hired by factory owners), and they decide to rescue him. Unfortunately, many of Dinah's movements and schemes seem contrived to set her in the middle of historical events, her political commentary appears overly sophisticated and her relationship with her parents is not developed (consequently, her mother's change of heart from bitterness to generosity comes as a shock, for instance). However, young readers willing to accept some unlikely twists will appreciate the relationship of the three sympathetic and resourceful friends and learn about a lesser-known aspect of U.S. history. Ages 8-12. (July)