Children of the Fire

by Harriette Gillem Robinet

Eleven-year-old Hallelujah is fascinated by the fires burning all over the city of Chicago. Little does she realize that her life will be changed forever by the flames that burn with such bright fascination for her.

The year is 1871 and this event will later be called the Great Chicago Fire. Hallelujah and her newfound friend Elizabeth are as different as night and day; but their shared solace will bind them as friends forever, as a major American city starts to rebuild itself.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Harriette Gillem Robinet was born and raised in Washington, D.C. She spent her childhood summers in Arlington, Virginia, where her grandfather had been a slave under General Robert E. Lee.
She graduated from the College of New Rochelle, New York, and from graduate studies at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She is a member of the National Writers Union.
She has written numerous award-winning books for children.

She and her husband live in Oak Park, Illinois, and have six children and four grandchildren.

Reviews

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, Ms. Robinet did a wonderful job in researching and bringing the interest of the Chicago fire through the eyes of the young people who survived the fire.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the use of the word "Indian" and the comment that "at least Indians weren't enslaved" (not true).

I also agree with another reviewer who noted that the messages get repetitive and heavy-handed. There are much better books to use for those messages, though I don't know of other books about the Chicago Fire.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud to the children. They loved it! I enjoyed the history of it and learning more about the great Chicago fire. We had discussions on how people are the same no matter the color or upbringing. A fire showed the 2 girls that; rich and poor died and lost their houses and belongings. It didn't care what color you were or what side of the tracks you lived on. A good lesson for us all.

[Thomas Straub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This would be a great book for teaching about why not every one was treated equal at different times of the U.S history

[Sandy Korom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chicago history and descriptions are very accurate and the story is hard to put down!

[Kaitlin Frey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read at the recommendation of one of my little friends. A great kids book that weaves history and real life into an exciting novel.

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping and thought-provoking piece of historical fiction. The story is set during the late 19th century when what came to be known as the Great Chicago Fire burned all over the city. Two very different friends find each other and try to help each other as well as their immediate community to deal with and survive the death and destruction in the city. What at first is considered to be a fun adventure by Hallelujah, watching the fires burn, turns into a full-blown nightmare that changes both girls' lives irreversibly. This book will definitely provide much ground for further exploration and discussions, touching on segregation, slave trade, discrimination due to social class, and more and is therefore an ideal pick for a lit circle. I would do some pre-loading with students however, in particular around historic context and language use as the term "nigger" appears throughout the book.

I also appreciated that it is at a relatively low text level (Fountas & Pinnell P) while being content wise most appropriate to late primary, early middle school readers.

[Jessica Fiveash]

Title Author Subject Brief Description
Children of the Fire Harriette Gillem Robinet Children helping other children, community involvement, and compassion, civility, kindness and learning This is a story about a young girl, Hallelujah, who lives with a foster family after her mother died escaping to Chicago from a plantation in the South. Through the events surrounding the three day fire, Hallelujah learns about people of all colors and classes. She learns to value herself, help others, and that all people are equal.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a good book introducing students to historical fiction, and the harshness of the time. The brutality of the Chicago Fire is told through child's eyes. But more importantly the story is about being human. How the things that normally divide us (race, religion) mean nothing during something as devastating as a fire. Unfortunately, as is usually the case it's only the children that are blind, or become blind to these differences.

[Rll52013_andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happen to really love this story. (Reading it aloud, I edit one word from my rendition). That little, sassy Hallelujah gets to know herself and others and decide how to be her best self. Chicago history, character growth, revelations about people...there is a lot that can be done with this book in the classroom.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked this book a lot. really moved me. good to read w/Jim Murphy's book along side.
so some small complaints; the ending was a bit to pat. but it is a book for kids.
the map really need some more labels on it.

[Denise Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book every year with my reading class. The students are all amazed with the amount of history they learn from this novel. The Great Chicago Fire is an avenue to explore the racial tensions and issues facing society during this time.

[Christina Pilkington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful children's book following a white and black child who meet and become friends on the first night of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Some wonderful themes throughout the book that make it great for discussion.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

interesting story. but it finally gets old to be told for the hundredth time that everyone is the same under their skin.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for teaching about Chicago!

[Kim Kanofsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for Chicagoans.

[Charity U · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative kids' book.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like historical stories. I think they are especially valuable with students because it open doors for so much learning.

[Sonia Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chicago on fire.
Black Pride book.
Love