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zoeisnotaclone's review against another edition
3.0
I might be prejudiced because we read and did a big project on this in school, but I didn't like it that much. There were a lot of different people in it and it was hard to keep track of them all. There's lots of illustrations, but some weren't very detailed (none are colored). The maps are a bit hard to read. It's just sort of dry read, in my opinion. I just couldn't connect with it very much, but then again I usually don't read nonfiction.
thebrookelist's review against another edition
4.0
Simple read that put the events of the Chicago fire in an interesting order by following a few different individuals through the calamitous events. Kids weren’t thrilled by my “boring book,” but were riveted by the end to find how things turned out. Many important lessons in this historical account. Probably best for kids over 4th grade.
lindsayb's review against another edition
2.0
This had its moments, but it needed a little more finesse. Part of it was the audio reader--I was also following along in the book and found that the reader often would put emphasis where there was none (making it a bit campy) or not emphasize the text when needed. The structure Murphy created of showing different POVs had potential, but mostly I confused people. He also uses "meanwhile..." an awful lot.
Otherwise, a serviceable book on a historical disaster.
Otherwise, a serviceable book on a historical disaster.
martha_schwalbe's review
4.0
I wonder how this happens, I fall into a series of books that are all very similar although they are completely unrelated. I did this a few years ago by linking "The Bird" to the Chilean miners who were rescued using a tube created by NASA, in six books.
This is the third book in about three I've read about cover ups and misleading the public.
I enjoyed this book and I'd recommend to readers who enjoy history.
This is the third book in about three I've read about cover ups and misleading the public.
I enjoyed this book and I'd recommend to readers who enjoy history.
lutheranjulia's review
3.0
My 9-year-old loved listening to this book. It helped him think, not only about fires, but about how news spreads, what it means to listen to someone else's experience, and how people respond in emergencies. Each time we get a book like this, we cannot listen to it quickly enough for his taste. He's getting the historical story, but also insight into human psychology, story-telling, and changes that we see in our daily lives. Definitely recommend!
scaifea's review
3.0
An okay introduction for middle grade students to the Chicago fire and its immediate aftermath. Not exactly gripping, as I would think it certainly could have been, but it also seems to be pitched at just the right level in the amount of content and detail it gives.
amythebookbat's review
4.0
This was a very interesting look at the Great Chicago Fire. I like how it wove actual letters and articles by people who survived into the overall story. I feel like I learned something by listening to this book.
2016 eclectic reader challenge # 6 ~ Disaster Fiction
2016 eclectic reader challenge # 6 ~ Disaster Fiction