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wumpfred's review
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
dancearh's review
5.0
I never thought I'd be so interested in a book about the plague, but here you have it. It's well written and kept my attention the entire time.
lanieslectory's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
dourelinor's review
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
Very historically inaccuatre- the Haffekeine's vaccine only had about a 50% success rate at preventing the plague, and Lizze was insufferable.
wellyoureadgirl's review
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
imperfectcj's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
What an interesting book to read during a pandemic! The discussions of the role of competing financial interests and racial and class biases in crafting public health policy, distribution of treatment, and dissemination of information are very relevant, as is the issue of vaccine hesitancy. Aside from the timeliness, this is quite an enjoyable read about a young woman trying to find her way in the world. Another from Build Your Library, level 6.
ksparks's review
3.0
This has a great plot--the history is really interesting, I hadn't known that the plague was in San Francisco in 1900, and that Chinese people were blamed for it. I was kind of disappointed that she chose to make this a middle-school book--if her heroine was older and the story more in-depth, it could have been a really great book. Nonetheless it's an enjoyable and educational read.
jamiereads's review
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cellowraith's review
3.0
Loses a star for some confusing wording and a lackluster ending, but overall a very good book that offers up some perspectives unique to children's literature. Readers are treated to an exciting and often frightening tale of medical mystery about the plague outbreak of 1900 (which I had never even heard of), along with an unapologetic presentation of the harsh prejudices faced by Chinese-Americans of the time.
pforpedrox23's review
4.0
Most of the characters are well developed, and Lizzie is a nice blend of rebellion and knowing when to pick her battles. Part 2 is a hundred pages shorter than part 1. Splitting the book serves no purpose. I wish there was more about Chinatown. Missed opportunities.