Earthquake: The Diary of Katie Bourke, Napier, 1930-31

My New Zealand Story

by Janine McVeagh

Genres: Diary, History

Paperback

Published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is from the My Story series published in New Zealand, which is their version of the Dear America series. The books are diaries of fictional boys and girls during important events and eras in New Zealand history.

It is June 1930 in the town of Napier, New Zealand. Eleven-year-old Katie Bourke's father has just died, and she decides to begin a journal, writing down her feelings for her father whom she greatly misses. She describes school, friends, the hardships faced by her family as a result of the Great Depression, and finally, the earthquake in February 1931 that devastates the city.

This was an enjoyable book in the My Story series from New Zealand. Katie was a likable character, describing both ordinary childhood concerns with school and friends, as well as the hardships of losing a parent, and dealing with economic hardships and a devastating natural disaster. I'd recommend this book to young readers who enjoy historical fiction in diary format.

[Molly]

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.

[Hannah Wislang · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose to read this book because it fits into the category of a time in history other than my own.My favourite quote from this book is "He said I was his suprise sister" this is my favourite quote because he brither ran away before she was born so when he came back he called her this. I learnt alot about the great depression and how hrd it was to make money. A chacacter I found interesting was tom because he was different from the rest of the family and was alot like katie.

[Jazz · Rating 5 out of 5]

this story is about how a girl called katie wants to help here family because they are short of money and there dad is dead and the goverment is going to tell people to leave there jobs then suddenly there is an earthquake that turns katie's world down.

[Uyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A LOVELY book telling the story of an eleven year old girl living in the time of the Great Depression! I would recommend this WONDERFUL book for anyone who is looking for a nice relaxing -but at the same time quite thrilling- story.

[Tanderton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fantastic book it describes the events brilliantly as if I was there I am currently reading the series I have already read gumdigger and that was really good!

[Jen]

very interesting and easy to read book about life here in Napier mostly before the 1931 earthquake

[Iza · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great book to get to know New Zealand's earthquakes impact, even if the girl of the book was fictional. The book is really small so you can read it very fast!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really great book, but I was surprised that in a 155 page book the earthquake only happened in the last 30 pages! But I still loved the other 125 pages all the same.

[Anya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really impacted me as a child so off i went to the school library to give her a re read. Bloody nostalgic