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beckbe's review against another edition
3.0
Solid writing but the story seemed inconsequential. It read like a setup for a 5th grade history and vocabulary unit.
s_hay's review against another edition
3.0
In turn of the century San Francisco Lizzie is trying to fit in at her all girls school. She prefers books and helping her doctor father to the fine dresses and parties beloved by her peers.And when her favorite Chinese servant Jing goes missing Lizzie discovers that he had a son he never told her about and that his son is now trapped and hidden in her house. Lizzie determines that she will help Jing's son hide and survive in his absence as well as find Jing. But, it soon appears that Jing is trapped in Chinatown where residents have been quarantined from a plague that everyone insists does not exisit. Can Lizzie save Jingand find answers about the plague rumors?
Good for ages 10 and up.
Good for ages 10 and up.
adam3's review against another edition
4.0
Good story and good characters. Interesting history. Family member dies. Touches on sexism/racism of 1900s San Francisco.
mayargrandy's review against another edition
5.0
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
libscote's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this one a lot, although for some reason I kept thinking, "Is it really the plague? I think it might be typhoid fever." Must be all the typhoid fever books coming out this year and invading my brain!
Lizzie Kennedy loves joining her father on his rounds as a doctor. Though a bit sad about the fact that her mother died and not enjoying boarding school at all, she has her brother, Billy, her father, and Uncle Karl and Aunt Hortense, as well as a favorite servant named Jing in her life. When Jing disappears at the same time a quarentine is called, she takes action to try to find him. Is there really the plague? Or is it something else?
I'm a historical fiction fan so this wasn't a hard sell for me. I think the mysteries in the story will draw kids in who might not otherwise like historical fiction. A solid choice.
Lizzie Kennedy loves joining her father on his rounds as a doctor. Though a bit sad about the fact that her mother died and not enjoying boarding school at all, she has her brother, Billy, her father, and Uncle Karl and Aunt Hortense, as well as a favorite servant named Jing in her life. When Jing disappears at the same time a quarentine is called, she takes action to try to find him. Is there really the plague? Or is it something else?
I'm a historical fiction fan so this wasn't a hard sell for me. I think the mysteries in the story will draw kids in who might not otherwise like historical fiction. A solid choice.
couillac's review against another edition
3.0
Choldenko excels at bringing history to life, and this new title is no different. It's an action-packed novel of historical fiction that will appeal to young readers looking for an exciting take on history. Engaging characters, plenty of hijinks, and well-integrated details of life in San Francisco in the early part of last century - a refreshingly different location and story then we've seen before, with lots of kid appeal. I would have liked a bit better explanation of how and why SF's leaders ignored the disease and avoided an all-out outbreak, and Lizzie felt like a familiar character in the vein of so many girls of historical fiction rebelling against restrictive society, but overall, it will have broad appeal and should keep readers hooked.
hsquared's review against another edition
4.0
Class, gender, and racial discrimination all get examined in Choldenko's latest historical novel. Like Jaqueline Kelly's Calpurnia Tate, Lizzie is a twelve-year-old girl in the year 1900, more interested in science than coming out parties. The daughter of a doctor, she's used to accompanying her father on rounds, and has hopes that she might herself one day follow in his footsteps. Her aunt, however, has other ideas about what is acceptable for young ladies. When rumors of the plague hit San Francisco, the resulting panic shuts down Chinatown, and her family's cook, Jing, is trapped on the other side. Determined to get him out, she finds herself faced with the reality of prejudice and bias. Full of memorable characters, important themes, and action, this will be popular with lots of readers, especially fans of Karen Cushman, Jaqueline Kelly and other authors featuring strong historical female characters.
jillcd's review against another edition
2.0
I just couldn't get into this book. While the premise of the storyline was good, the characters were flat.