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karender16's review against another edition
3.0
Thirteen-year-old Lizzie is the daughter of a physician in 1900 San Francisco. Life consists of visiting patients with her father (to her aunt's dismay), being miserable at Miss Barstow's, and trying to be cool enough for her older brother, Billy, to like her again. Then Lizzie starts hearing rumors of the plague coming into her beloved city. Her father, her uncle, the newspapers, and everyone around Lizzie says the information is just that-a rumor. But Lizzie knows something is wrong. With the help of new and unlikely friends, Lizzie sets off to uncover the truth and might just save her town in the process.
This book is an interesting portrayal of a little known area of American history. The author does a very good job transporting the reader into 1900 America. The pace of the novel is done well, with only a few slow moving parts. Lizzie is a believably fiery character and the rest of the characters were very well developed. I was presently surprised by the depth of Lizzie's aunt as well as the character of Gus. The ending of the book was less satisfying that desired since there's a major tragedy just shy of the end. This resulted in a slight rushing of these last few parts, however, it did not take away much from the overall plot. This title will be good for kids who love historical fiction, especially for those who love the lesser known parts of history.
This book is an interesting portrayal of a little known area of American history. The author does a very good job transporting the reader into 1900 America. The pace of the novel is done well, with only a few slow moving parts. Lizzie is a believably fiery character and the rest of the characters were very well developed. I was presently surprised by the depth of Lizzie's aunt as well as the character of Gus. The ending of the book was less satisfying that desired since there's a major tragedy just shy of the end. This resulted in a slight rushing of these last few parts, however, it did not take away much from the overall plot. This title will be good for kids who love historical fiction, especially for those who love the lesser known parts of history.
mayagrandy11's review against another edition
4.0
this novel was a sort of hole in the wall. i thought this book was so interesting especially for a history book which isn’t my usual choice. highly recommend
rea_scott's review against another edition
4.0
A great work of middle grade historical fiction--touches on race, social class, gender in an approachable and understandable way for young learners.
library_brandy's review against another edition
4.0
Lizzie attends a girls' school with a bunch of snooty classmates, and she has no idea how (or why) to befriend them. She'd much rather be out on medical visits with her doctor father, learning everything she can about medicine so she, too, can be a doctor someday. It's a particularly difficult goal for a girl in 1900, but Lizzie's medical knowledge is about to come in handy, as there are signs that the bubonic plague has hit San Francisco. However, the newspapers deny that there's anything wrong. The police deny any kind of outbreak, in spite of the quarantine around Chinatown. Even Lizzie's father tells her that it can't possibly be the plague. But when the plague hits close to home, there's no longer any denying its existence.
Lizzie is smart and driven, in ways that make her an outcast in her 1900 society. Her shift from being friendless to having besties happens rather suddenly, though she doesn't do anything much out of the ordinary to connect with her peers. Not-so-subtle lessons on racism and classism are sprinkled thoughout, as Lizzie realizes how little she knows about the Chinese cook in her house, though he's been like family to her for her whole life. Overall, a good story about a relatively unknown historical event.
Lizzie is smart and driven, in ways that make her an outcast in her 1900 society. Her shift from being friendless to having besties happens rather suddenly, though she doesn't do anything much out of the ordinary to connect with her peers. Not-so-subtle lessons on racism and classism are sprinkled thoughout, as Lizzie realizes how little she knows about the Chinese cook in her house, though he's been like family to her for her whole life. Overall, a good story about a relatively unknown historical event.
amylandranch's review against another edition
4.0
I am always surprised by how much I enjoy historical fiction. This was a great story set in 1900. Lizzie, a smart girl who chafes against what women are allowed or not allowed to do, is the protagonist. The family’s beloved servant and cook Jing goes missing. She must figure out what is going on in Chinatown and why there are rumors of the plague. It has mystery, action and emotion and it was a quick read. I think people who liked Fever 1793 will like this book too. No swears and minimal violence that happens off-page. 4th grade and up.
rcfish55's review against another edition
4.0
Great YA historical fiction about a young girl who wants nothing more than to be a doctor, to have friends and to have her moody brother back. This is definitely suitable for middle school age kids. The pace was perfect and had action enough to keep me satisfied.
peacel's review against another edition
5.0
This book was fascinating- I had literally never heard about this chapter in U.S. History! The Black Plague in china town? Yes!
I loved this one. The characters were well-formed, and the plot couldn't possibly have gotten any more exciting! I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction but is tired of the same-old, same-old.
I loved this one. The characters were well-formed, and the plot couldn't possibly have gotten any more exciting! I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction but is tired of the same-old, same-old.
pussreboots's review against another edition
3.0
http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2016/comments_05/chasing_secrets.html
jayce's review against another edition
5.0
This book, I loved. A historical story set in San Francisco at the turn of the 20th century, it’s one to add to our Newbery list. There is a plague scare in Chinatown and the area is quarantined, but only if you are Chinese… Lizzie and her friends try to get their beloved cook out of the quarantine. This books discusses racism from that time that is often forgotten and gives a fascinating look at medical practices at the time. A fantastic book.
Genre: historical
AR level: none yet
Grade appropriate: 4th and up
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 5/5
Creativity: 5/5-- different take on racism from other things being published right now. Who knew there was a plague outbreak in San Francisco in the early 1900s? A glimpse of a time and place I didn’t know much about.
Characters: 5/5-- definitely felt a kinship to Lizzie and felt you were fighting right alongside her.
Engrossing: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Appeal to kids: 4/5-- It’ll be one you have to sell them on. Once they get into it, they will like it.
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: none
Violence: mild-- Lizzie’s older brother is earning money as a fighter. There are some drunk men who try to burn down Chinatown. Lizzie also gets attacked by some drunk men when she is out late at night. None of these scenes are graphic.
Drugs/Alcohol: mild-- Lizzie crashes her uncle's work luncheon where they are drinking whiskey. She encounters some drunk men late at night who act violently.
Genre: historical
AR level: none yet
Grade appropriate: 4th and up
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 5/5
Creativity: 5/5-- different take on racism from other things being published right now. Who knew there was a plague outbreak in San Francisco in the early 1900s? A glimpse of a time and place I didn’t know much about.
Characters: 5/5-- definitely felt a kinship to Lizzie and felt you were fighting right alongside her.
Engrossing: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Appeal to kids: 4/5-- It’ll be one you have to sell them on. Once they get into it, they will like it.
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: none
Violence: mild-- Lizzie’s older brother is earning money as a fighter. There are some drunk men who try to burn down Chinatown. Lizzie also gets attacked by some drunk men when she is out late at night. None of these scenes are graphic.
Drugs/Alcohol: mild-- Lizzie crashes her uncle's work luncheon where they are drinking whiskey. She encounters some drunk men late at night who act violently.
mildlyjulie's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this since I adore the Al Capone books. But it felt really slow and poorly paced.