Quake!: Disaster in San Francisco, 1906

By Gail Langer Karwoski

Book Overview

A boy and his dog navigate dangerous rubble, prejudices, and survival in this riveting fictional account of the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906.

It's before daybreak in San Francisco on April 18, 1906. Mourning the loss of his mother, thirteen-year-old Jacob Kaufman slips out of the cramped boarding house where he lives with his immigrant father and little sister Rosie. Why couldn't Papa just let him keep the stray dog--the one thing that has made him happy in months? But he forgets all his frustrations when the ground beneath his feet begins to rumble.

Buildings collapse, and the street splits wide open as Jacob runs for safety from a devastating earthquake. With just his dog, he embarks on a perilous search for shelter, food and water, and missing loved ones while grappling with his Jewish traditions and fighting prejudices against a new Chinese friend.

In Gail Langer Karwoski's stirring fictional account of the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, young readers will relive the drama of the actual event and its devastating aftermath. An author's note carefully separates fact from fiction, giving young readers a glimpse into one of the worst earthquakes in modern history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1561453692
• ISBN13: 9781561453696
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.8" x 9.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Son Loved This Book!

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).

Quake! effortlessly blends history and an engaging story

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!

"Shakingly" Great Book!

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.

Author Gail Karwoski's QUAKE!, a Disaster Story that Rocks!

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.