Into the Firestorm: A Novel of San Francisco, 1906

By Deborah Hopkinson

Book Overview

"I believe I can just see you on the streets of that bright city."

Gran's gone now, but her words live on with Nicholas Dray, almost twelve, as he makes his way from the hot cotton fields to that Queen of Cities: San Francisco. Nick's on his own for the first time, with nowhere to turn. Then he meets jaunty, talkative Pat Patterson, owner of the most beautiful store-and the friendliest golden dog-in all the city. And for the first time in months, Nick feels safe. Safe in San Francisco.

But the year is 1906, the month is April, and early one morning the walls begin to shake. The floor begins to buckle. And the earth opens up. A devastating earthquake and then raging firestorms ravage the city, and Nick is right in the middle of it all. But for a young boy who's got few ties and nothing to lose, what's the right choice: escape to safety or stay-at deadly risk-to help others?

From acclaimed author Deborah Hopkinson comes a suspenseful and carefully researched novel of the Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire and of one boy's heroic fight to survive it.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440421292
• ISBN13: 9780440421290
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: Yearling Books
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.2" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

A Good Read for SFO Earthquake Devotees ( and adventure lovers)

This was a very good book overall but falls a little short of the mark of greatness. I could almost give it 4 1/2 stars because the integration of historical fact was so well done. The character of little Annie was given dialog and thought patterns that were simply too old for her eight years. It wasn't obnoxious, but not true to the age and sex of the child, even for a mature one. The character of her mother was not sketched, although her physical appearance was. She had enough of a presence in the book that her persona should have been put forth. I really enjoyed the quirkiness and good-natured humor of Mr. Pat All that said, it was a good read, and my 11 year old daughter loved it. The historical backdrop was very well done and cleverly used, although one was a little hard-put to feel the emotional trauma that a 12-13 year old boy must have gone through in this situation.

Exciting historical read!

Deborah Hopkinson's Into the Firestorm: A Novel of San Francisco, 1906 (and the title really does help-- I won't have teacher questioning whether or not it is historical!) was great. Several good things going for it-- the title, the cover, and the first couple of lines: "Hey, kid. Get back here and empty your pockets." Nicholas Dray whirled to see a burly policeman pointing a black club right at him. He froze in astonishment. This should not be happening. Yes! This will make a child pick up the book! There is some discussion of how Nick got to San Francisco, having run away from the cotton fields after his grandmother died, but it's done in flashbacks that are interspersed with the excitement of San Francisco. Have several students in mind for this and can't wait to get a copy! This author also did Shutting Out the Sky:Life in the Tenements of New York which I liked. I'll have to check for others! This and other books reviewed at [...]

Engrossing Adventure Novel

Into the Firestorm is the perfect book for boy readers, with an engaging hero, a dog, and lots of action. But we sometimes forget that girls like these kinds of stories as well. When I was young, I loved reading every kind of adventure, from mountain exploits to historical fiction sagas to war stories. Hopkinson's talent for research is revealed in small details here, and, as in her Klondike Kid and Prairie Skies series books, she also keeps the pace fresh. I loved Pat Patterson and the stationer's shop, and little Annie Sheridan. And Shake, of course! A winner from one of our most versatile writers for young people.

*FORTITUDE & GRIT ADD UP TO A RIVETING STORY . . . *

It is hard to imagine a story about the 1906 San Francisco earthquake being anything but riveting. Deborah Hopkinson's thorough research led her to build her novel around Nicholas Dray, a true life runaway from the county farm, befriended by a merchant a few days before the 1906 earthquake and devastating firestorm. The author's story closely follows archived history and is exciting for all ages to read. Class units will take students on many useful tangents, with teaching tools available via www.randomhouse.com/teachers. It may generate some discussion about emergency preparedness also. Earthquakes are of universal interest and "Into the Firestorm" cannot be categorized as 'just' a boys' book - - even though teachers & librarians, frustrated at jump-starting "reluctant readers" will rejoice to recommend it to students. Hopkinson keeps the level of excitement high, and Nick's reactions believable. Deserted by his father, his emotional needs centered on his grandmother, and later in San Francisco on his Chinese-American friend Tommy, his employer/mentor Mr. Pat AND the dog who also was part of the true story of those ghastly fires. Hopkinson deftly adds cotton-picking in Texas, and a fascination with the art of writing; reviewer mcHAIKU appreciates the quality these add to this story of a time when "stick-to-itiveness" was okay, and fortitude & grit added up to honest-to-goodness values. And for all readers, a five star reward.