The Deadliest Fires Then and Now (The Deadliest #3, Scholastic Focus)

The Deadliest #3

by Deborah Hopkinson

Perfect for fans of I Survived and the Who Was series, and packed with graphics, photos, and facts for curious minds, this is a gripping look at the deadliest fires in American history. As the sun sank over the town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, one warm October night in 1871, a smoky haze hung in the dry air. There had been little rain, and small fires had been rolling through town continuously since the summer. For weeks the people had tried to protect their homes and businesses from fire. But they could not protect themselves from what would culminate in the deadliest fire in American history. As industrialization surged across the country, and Westward colonization leveled forests to build cities, fires became a mainstay in American life. And as populations grew, so too did the human toll that fire could exact. Through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Americans searched for new and innovative ways to combat the threat of fire. And with climate change threatening to set the whole world aflame, we are once again in a fight for our planet’s future. Through the eyes of scientists, witnesses, and survivors of terrible fires alike, Sibert Honor author Deborah Hopkinson brings the horrific history of deadly fires to life, tracing a line from the Peshtigo and Great Chicago fires of 1871 to the wildfires raging in the western United States today. Filled with more than 50 period photographs and illustrations, facts, and pull-out boxes for eager nonfiction readers.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Middle Grade

224 pages, Library Binding

Published September 6, 2022

About the author

I write nonfiction and historical fiction, picture books, and Golden Books. I speak at school, libraries, and conferences. I also love to garden and offer manuscript critiques. (Deborahhopkinson@yahoo.com)

NEW books in 2024 include DETERMINED DREAMER: THE STORY OF MARIE CURIE, illus by Jen Hill, ON A SUMMER NIGHT, illus by Kenard Pak, TRIM HELPS OUT and TRIM SAILS the STORM, illus by Kristy Caldwell, EVIDENCE! illustrated by Nik Henderson, and a nonfiction work called THEY SAVED THE STALLIONS. I'm delighted to say that Trim Helps Out, Trim Sails the Storm, On a Summer Night and Evidence! are all Junior Library Guild selections.

I live and work in Oregon and travel all over to speak to young readers and writers.

Reviews

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

With a growing concern over wildfires and a plethora of fiction books on the topic, including this author's Into the Firestorm: A Novel of San Francisco 1906 (2006), this is a timely read and a great follow up to the other two books in this series, Deadliest Diseases and Deadliest Hurricanes.

There are three sections to the book (and a little over 200 pages, just the perfect length). The first covers Great Midwest Fires of 1871, the second Twentieth Century Fires including Chicago, San Francisco, The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, and the third chapters deals with fires of the 21st century. Considering we are only 22 years in, there have been far too many fires.

The stories are all told in an engaging, fast paced way, and the inclusion of some period drawings, maps, and photographs help spark interest. There are lots of additional information about a variety of topics, such as the Menominee Tribe, the National Fire Protection Association, how earthquakes are measured, and even a note about primary source letters and an encouragement to young readers to write one! There are fun facts, like the Chicago City Council's 1997 goodwill resolution exonerating Mrs. O'Leary and her cow from all blame in the fire of 1871, and bold faced text for words that are listed in the glossary at the end of the book. There are a few internet resources on selected topics as well.

I especially liked how Hopkinson covered different aspects of the aftermaths of these fires, like how the Chicago and San Francisco Fires disproportionately affected economically disadvantaged communities; I had just learned in Goldstone's Days of Infamy how the Chinese American population had to stand their ground to keep from being moved to inferior land in San Francisco. The Triangle Fire is my favorite Horrible Historical Event, so seeing how it changed labor practices is always interesting.

[Bruno Peña · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, because it is very informative. It explains the various fire disasters in the United States. The book shows the fires that happened on cities specific buildings and in the wildland. The book also contains many interesting real stories from survivors of the fires. The book treats with a lot of respect the stories of the victims that survived many of these fires. This book also talks about how centuries of bad fire managing like fire suppression caused the growth of even bigger fire. The book explains how much we have come in fire management and how the indigenous population of the United States already new that fire suppression could be dangerous.

At the end the book describes how fires are getting worse because of climate change and cities and towns are getting closer to the forest because of sprawl. The book reflects on how we need to prepare for worst fires by taking care of nature and our planet. I really liked this book. I think that the reflection is adequate for our actual world. If you like to learn about the history of the mayor disasters that happened in the United States you should give it a read!

[Karen Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possibly my favorite in the excellent "Deadliest" series.
The books starts with a historical incident that was both exciting and scary. Smart way to hook a young reader. Then there is a section "before you go on" telling about the structure of the book (Part 1 is 19th century, part 2 is 20th, and part 3 is 21st).
Fire triage is explained, and combustion and how air affects it.
I appreciated the sustainable forest management information--especially the Native American influences on understanding how to better manage forests. It also presented what to do in case of fire.
As with many of Hopkinson's meticulously researched books, there is a glossary, internet resources, and a list of things for further exploration.
Some of this might go over a kid's head, but most would understand most of it. And, it could be a good challenge for TAG kids.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

With true facts all about the most epic fires of all time, Fires Then and Now by Deborah Hopkinson is horrifying AND fascinating! 🔥

For kids who love the I Survived! series by Lauren Tarshis or Kate Messner’s History Smashers books, “The Deadliest” series is a perfect next read!

[Laura Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fact filled but also includes narratives from primary sources. Accessible in reading level for young people.

[Abby Landry]

Very informational while describing the setting and the feelings of the characters.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 6th grade students like reading these books. It was informative for me as well.

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book! Very informative and interesting. Full of resources about anything to do with fire. Many pictures.

[LeeAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book will appeal to a very specific subgroup of middle school kids.

[eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical book and easy to read for fast information. I instantly felt more wise when it came to the appreciation of our world’s forests! 🌳

[Zachary Westrate]

it was a good book

[Eugenio Solís · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book very much because it was interesting to now about all the greatiest fires, and i also felt like the book was controlling me to keep reading it was my first book to read compleatly all the pages, i really like the work of Deborah Hopkinson