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verkiezen's review
2.0
Lizzie doesn't have friends at school--Miss Barstow's, a school for young ladies to learn how to become perfect wives. Lizzie would rather read books or accompany her doctor father on visits to patients. That's why Lizzie can recognize the problems with the quarantine of Chinatown. Nobody is wearing protective gear, for one thing. But nobody will admit that the plague is in San Francisco. What lengths will adults go to in order to keep the news of plague quiet?
Read the rest of my review at my blog
Read the rest of my review at my blog
awiktor's review
5.0
Compelling historical fiction novel set in turn-of-the-century San Francisco. Girls have strict rules they must live by, but Lizzie Kennedy doesn't see herself fitting into that mold. When rumors of the plague hit the city, she must dig into the mystery to keep those she loves safe. As the daughter of a doctor, she has enough knowledge of the plague to recognize it, and to know when someone isn't being treated for it properly. Her gumption and drive to become a scientist propel this story forward, while tearing on your heartstrings for its realistic portrayal of a 13 year old who is just trying to figure out who she is. A must-read for middle schoolers and adults alike!
booksandbosox's review
4.0
http://librarianosnark.blogspot.com/2015/08/release-day-review-chasing-secrets.html
libscote's review
4.0
I enjoyed this one a lot, although for some reason I kept thinking, "Is it really the plague? I think it might be typhoid fever." Must be all the typhoid fever books coming out this year and invading my brain!
Lizzie Kennedy loves joining her father on his rounds as a doctor. Though a bit sad about the fact that her mother died and not enjoying boarding school at all, she has her brother, Billy, her father, and Uncle Karl and Aunt Hortense, as well as a favorite servant named Jing in her life. When Jing disappears at the same time a quarentine is called, she takes action to try to find him. Is there really the plague? Or is it something else?
I'm a historical fiction fan so this wasn't a hard sell for me. I think the mysteries in the story will draw kids in who might not otherwise like historical fiction. A solid choice.
Lizzie Kennedy loves joining her father on his rounds as a doctor. Though a bit sad about the fact that her mother died and not enjoying boarding school at all, she has her brother, Billy, her father, and Uncle Karl and Aunt Hortense, as well as a favorite servant named Jing in her life. When Jing disappears at the same time a quarentine is called, she takes action to try to find him. Is there really the plague? Or is it something else?
I'm a historical fiction fan so this wasn't a hard sell for me. I think the mysteries in the story will draw kids in who might not otherwise like historical fiction. A solid choice.
vegancleopatra's review
2.0
I do not read many middle grade books but I do dabble. If this was the first one I had read I would believe they were all lacking in general and emotional depth. I really felt as though there was too much going on and there needed to be better focus. Overall this book did not stick with me in a positive or negative way. There are better MG books out there, such as [b:When You Reach Me|5310515|When You Reach Me|Rebecca Stead|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1441759322s/5310515.jpg|6608018], which I highly recommend.
tashrow's review
5.0
Lizzie works alongside her father who is a doctor in San Francisco at the turn of the century. It gives her a break from the loneliness of attending a school where the girls won’t speak with her and from her brother who is getting more and more moody and secretive. It’s very unusual for a girl to be allowed to help a physician and Lizzie plans to go to college herself rather than being married off to a rich beau. But something strange is happening on the streets of San Francisco and there are rumors of plague in the city. Chinatown is suddenly quarantined and no one is allowed in or out. Lizzie’s family’s Chinese cook is caught in the quarantine and unable to return home. When Lizzie hears noises in his rooms, she investigates and discovers that his son has been staying there. The two become friends and he even convinces her to try to be friends with the girls at school too. Soon Lizzie is going from having no friends to having several, but even glittering social events can’t distract her from the medical mystery afoot in the city.
Choldenko has written a book that explores racism from a unique angle and perspective. Starting with the rumors of plague in San Francisco, she has built a mystery with a sound footing in history. Throughout the entire story, racism is a central theme as is social standing. Lizzie breaks both social conventions by befriending the cook’s son, someone who shows her just how much more there is to know about his father too. Though Lizzie is close to the servants and never demanding or cruel, even she has much to learn about their lives and the social forces at work.
Lizzie is a strong and brave heroine who risks her own social standing and reputation to do what is right. I enjoyed that she has trouble making friends, preferring books to approaching others. It is also noteworthy that she makes a great friend herself and the winning personality that readers immediately experience is the same that she shows those that she befriends. Lizzie also stands up to her aunt, someone who is trying to control her destiny and future. Yet even that aunt has another side, one that Lizzie has to work hard to discover.
Another strong historical novel from Choldenko, this book will be enjoyed by her fans who will like Lizzie immediately. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
Choldenko has written a book that explores racism from a unique angle and perspective. Starting with the rumors of plague in San Francisco, she has built a mystery with a sound footing in history. Throughout the entire story, racism is a central theme as is social standing. Lizzie breaks both social conventions by befriending the cook’s son, someone who shows her just how much more there is to know about his father too. Though Lizzie is close to the servants and never demanding or cruel, even she has much to learn about their lives and the social forces at work.
Lizzie is a strong and brave heroine who risks her own social standing and reputation to do what is right. I enjoyed that she has trouble making friends, preferring books to approaching others. It is also noteworthy that she makes a great friend herself and the winning personality that readers immediately experience is the same that she shows those that she befriends. Lizzie also stands up to her aunt, someone who is trying to control her destiny and future. Yet even that aunt has another side, one that Lizzie has to work hard to discover.
Another strong historical novel from Choldenko, this book will be enjoyed by her fans who will like Lizzie immediately. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
reader_fictions's review
4.0
Back in 2013, I first read Choldenko, having randomly selected the audiobook for Al Capone Does My Shirts as being of possible interest. I was right, though the books were entirely different than I’d expected, coming at history from an angle I didn’t see coming.
Similarly, Chasing Secrets takes on the topic of plague as it’s breaking out, rather than once everyone is already dying. We see this happen through the lens of aspiring scientist, Lizzie. Her favorite thing is joining her dad on his calls to patients, and her least favorite is attending class at finishing school, because she has no interest in marriage and wants to really learn.
When their servant Jing gets stuck in Chinatown due to a quarantine for the plague, she wants to rescue him, especially once she meets the son she never knew he had, Noah. I really love the portrayals of both Jing and Noah, because they resist stereotypes and are super awesome. Yes always to history that focuses on women and people of color. History enthusiasts will appreciate the extensive notes at the end of Chasing Secrets as well.
Choldenko has major talent at writing quiet, intriguing, unique histories about people often ignored by history. Very much worth reading for more than just the beautiful cover.
Similarly, Chasing Secrets takes on the topic of plague as it’s breaking out, rather than once everyone is already dying. We see this happen through the lens of aspiring scientist, Lizzie. Her favorite thing is joining her dad on his calls to patients, and her least favorite is attending class at finishing school, because she has no interest in marriage and wants to really learn.
When their servant Jing gets stuck in Chinatown due to a quarantine for the plague, she wants to rescue him, especially once she meets the son she never knew he had, Noah. I really love the portrayals of both Jing and Noah, because they resist stereotypes and are super awesome. Yes always to history that focuses on women and people of color. History enthusiasts will appreciate the extensive notes at the end of Chasing Secrets as well.
Choldenko has major talent at writing quiet, intriguing, unique histories about people often ignored by history. Very much worth reading for more than just the beautiful cover.
toggle_fow's review
3.0
This was all right, but not great. There was a lot of confused running about and half the book went by before you even really knew what was going on. Too many shenanigans that didn't accomplish anything and not enough about Noah, Jing, and the plague.
ranaelizabeth's review
3.0
Middle-grade YA historical fiction about San Fransisco, lots of great stuff here about women's place in society, where medicine was at, and the situation with Chinese immigrants.
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