Customer Reviews

Quake!: Disaster in San Francisco, 1906

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm in 6th grade and really liked this book. The main character, Jacob Kaufman, was about my age. I couldn't put the book down - even after Mom said lights out! The author made me feel like I was back in time during the earthquake. I really recommend this book - especially for boys. Absolutely NO romantic stuff.

Children's author, Gail Karwoski, of Watkinsville, Georgia, has written another outstanding book of disaster! In QUAKE, Karwoski tells the story of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake through the eyes of two boys, one Jewish and one Chinese. Jacob Kaufman, the Jewish boy who is the viewpoint character, slips out of the wooden boarding house where he lives with his immigrant father and younger sister, Sophie, before daybreak on April 18,1906. The sudden earthquake causes buildings to collapse before his eyes. Fires engulf everything around him. Jacob tries to find his family but nothing is left of their building. With his dog, Quake, by his side, and his newly-found friend, San, Jacob sets off on a journey through chaos to find his family. It's a story of tragedy, of prejudice, especially against the Chinese, of the love of a pet, and of coming of age. This book is one of Karwoski's best yet and is a must read for all young fans of historical fiction.

With stereotypical characters and obvious plotting, QUAKE! seems to warrant a lower score, but, in fact, this is a historical fiction novel that works well for the lower-level reader. I don't think this really belongs on the 6-8 grade Sunshine State reading list at all, but only on the 3-5 grade list.

Full of ethnic working-class characters in olde time San Francisco, QUAKE! tells the story of a boy (and his newly acquired stray dog) as he does what he can to survive and find his family after the devastating disaster of a century ago. Necessarily fast-paced to keep the interest of the younger reader, the story does rely extremely heavily on interspersing actual facts and characters of the disaster to maintain its integrity.

My 8th grade students would probaby be interested in this story more for the historical perspective than the story being told. My daughter (3rd grade) enjoyed it thoroughly.

I would give this 3.5 stars if the Amazon rating system allowed half-points.

I admire the author for taking such a catastrophic story and telling it in a way that children can understand and learn from. I consider myself a collector on all things "Quake '06" and this is one of my prize possessions. I highly recommend it. If you're looking for a DVD that tells the non-fiction version of the quake and fire, I'd recommend "Disaster by the Bay" also here on amazon, easily the best documentary on the subject.

I bought this book for my 9-year-old son, and he thought it was "awesome." He said it was one of the best books he has ever read. It truly prepared him to understand a disaster of an enormous magnitude; after he read Quake, the Pakistan earthquake hit and he understand the devastation and fear that people were experiencing. That, to me, is what the best books for kids do. They open up the world and teach them what they could not learn for themselves (such as experiencing an earthquake). Learning and loving to read at the same time - what a great combination.

He loved the book (he could not stress this enough).

After reading this book, I watched a documentary about the Great San Francisco earthquake. I was amazed at the number of historical details Karwoski was able to weave seamlessly into the story. I wasn't sure until the very end how the story would turn out--Karwoski kept me guessing!

This book was on my daughter's reading list and she never got around to reading it but I did. I loved it. I also enjoyed the fact that there is a historical basis to the storyline. I tried to get her to read it but the cover review did not grab her interest.

The plot of this story is a earthquake.When Jacob and his family are asleep the dog his Uncle Avi gave him woke them.Jacobs dad told him to give it back.When Jacob was returning the the dog the quake struck.Afterthe quake there was buildings fallen down and building blocks on the sidewalk.Fires where every where,water pipes wheredown and people where trapped under buildings.With no no water the army had to blow blow up buildings tostop the fire ,after the fire stoped ,the next day it rained.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Quake and learning about the San Francisco earthquake through the eyes of a young boy separated from his famliy when the disaster occurred. The characters are strong and the writing not only provides the historic details, but puts so much heart into the story that one really cares and hopes that Jacob and his family are reunited. Kids will love reading Quake and keep turning the pages to see how it ends. I think the secondary stories about prejudice against the Chinese and the traditions of the Jewish and Irish families are wonderful as well. This book is a great way to get an understanding of a tragedy and more importantly, see how a boy fends for himself in a world turned upside-down.

I live near San Francisco and have read all the adult books about the devastating San Francisco earthquake of 1906. WOW! HOW FRIGHTENING THAT WAS.
This is the first time I've seen the details published with such accuracy in a children's book, and really must compliment this fine author.
This book is exciting and eductional too.
What a talent this author has!
I look forward to reading more of her books.