Earthquake

by Milly Lee, Yangsook Choi (Illustrator)

A young Chinese-American girl and her family move their belongings from their home in Chinatown to the safety of Golden Gate Park during the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Reprint.

Genres: History, Childrens, Picture Books, Historical, Science, Family, Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I have ever read that looks at the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake from the perspective of the Chinese community - original and informative. Still think that there needs to be lots more outreach to all communities about earthquakes in California - it is only a matter of time before the next big one hits us!

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is told from the viewpoint of a young girl (who is the author’s mother) and tells the story of how she and her family escaped Chinatown and headed for the safety of Golden Gate Park in order to escape the devastation of San Francisco’s great earthquake and fire of 1906.

I am especially interested in (and terrified of) earthquakes, and I have read quite a bit about the 1906 event.

This is a very short account. There are not too many pages and not too many sentences on each page, but quite a bit of the experience was related.

I had really mixed feelings about the illustrations. Golden Gate Park is not elevated and one doesn’t get that kind of view of the city from its vantage point. But, overall, the atmosphere of the illustrations was perfect. The colors and style really worked for this account.

There is a full page author’s note at the end of the book giving more information about the earthquake and fire, and about her family’s experience of it. It broke my heart to read that both her mother and grandmother had had their feet bound when they were young, and how that disability made their journey that day all the more challenging. I’d wondered why, during the book, in one picture they were shown riding in the cart brought for their possessions.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of us do not know what it is like to go through an earthquake. This book helps children to realize what happens when an earthquake occurs and the destruction that happens because of it. Not only did this family have to see the horrors of this earthquake, they also learned to stay together as a family. Even when disaster strikes, the best people to have around you at that time is your family. This is also a good educational book about the earthquake that occurred in California in 1906.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of San Francisco earthquake of 1906. It was in the wee hours of the morning that one family fled the burning city. The tale chronicles how their family and countless others travelled to Golden Gate Park. Families always stay together and that is what counts. Very emotional story.

[Jillian Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a Chinese family that lives through the earthquake in San Francisco in 1913. I love that it discusses an event in American history but through the eyes of someone from a different culture.

[Colleen]

Earth - unit 2
Theme Library

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story of a little known event.

[Kenzie Garvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title earthquake caught my attention because I have not experienced an earthquake, but have always found them intriguing and until reading this book, I had not heard of the earthquake in San Francisco, California in 1906. The book provides useful information about the earthquake as well as safety tips in following the steps the Chinese family took to survive. But, I think the book could have gone a little more in-depth in the emotions the family felt to create a better connection with the characters rather than just explaining the process they took.

[Mandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based off the author’s Grandma’s recounting of the San Francisco earthquake in the early 1900s.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Earthquake speaks of the earthquake in San Francisco in 1906 and focuses on a Chinese American family in the midst of this disaster. This book could be an excellent springboard for talking with students about earthquakes as a whole and the recent earthquakes in Japan. Discussion with students could also be focused on immigration and the many cultures that make up our nation.

[Allison Wine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most children have never experienced an earthquake. Some have only seen pictures about what it can do. This book allows students to take a step into the real experiences of an earthquake. It also shows how a family bond stays together through hard times, students can relate to that.

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book focuses on one certain Chinese family as they must flee their home during the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. It is realistic fiction that 3rd and 4th grade children would enjoy. There are several vocabulary terms in the book relating to Chinese culture that would need explained.

[°☆.。.:*・Nanna°☆.。.:*・]

This was a good story about what happened during the big San Francisco earthquake. It was interesting hearing about the place I live in. It was a nice story for kids to get the gist of what happened, but not too into detail that it gets too graphic for kids.