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aoosterwyk's review against another edition
3.0
This story takes place in San Francisco during the early 1900s. The bubonic plague has struck in Chinatown. Lizzie dreams of becoming a doctor one day, just like her father, but girls aren't allowed and she doesn't fit in at Miss Barstow's school for the daughters of the wealthy and connected. There is a quarantine keeping the Chinese in Chinatown and their cook, Jing, is trapped away from their home. Lizzie works to free Jing and finally makes a friend at school and an unexpected one at home.
This story will appeal to students who like characters who are kind and who challenge the rules. There are notes at the end of the book giving documentation for the historical facts.
This story will appeal to students who like characters who are kind and who challenge the rules. There are notes at the end of the book giving documentation for the historical facts.
chickchick22's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing story and beautiful characters! An unforgettable tale. ❤️
brandypainter's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fairly decent book about an incident in American history not often explored. I didn't love it and it is yet another book that looks at the lives of marginalized people from the perspective of a white person learning a lesson. And of course, they are there to show said white person's goodness in contrast to society around them. I'm getting really sick of this.
rdyourbookcase's review against another edition
3.0
For a book about saving people, it sure was boring. Right when I thought the book would be over, it kept going. By that time, however, it had lost me. When I first started Chasing Secrets, I was intrigued by the female doctor angle. I liked Lizzie’s spunk and thought she was a cool character. I thought that Lizzie’s first secret would be the main point of the book, and it would have been fine if it was. Overall, it was decent, but the plot lines were all over the place. Character appearances weren’t consistent, either. I liked Lizzie’s new friend, but she was only in a portion of the book. Billy was around sometimes, and others not, and Noah just disappeared, like Jing. What a mess. It’s a shame, because the unique characters made the book stronger. Kids might find it fast-paced and entertaining, but it wasn’t for me.
librariandest's review against another edition
4.0
I read this back when it came out. I'm not sure why I didn't review it then, but I can't stop thinking about it now. A deadly disease. Mandatory quarantine. Racism against Chinese immigrants. Sound familiar? This book is set in 1900, but so many aspects of it are relevant today with COVID-19.
jameyanne's review against another edition
4.0
I loved how atmospheric this book was. I felt like I really was in San Francisco in 1900. It was beautiful and terrifying. And I loved Lizzie.
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting story with a strong female character I enjoyed reading. I especially enjoyed the author's note and her attention to detail about the outbreak of bubonic plague in San Francisco in 1900.
mommamel11's review against another edition
4.0
Terrific historical fiction was middle grades. The turn of the century San Francisco setting was interesting. The main character Lizzie is smart, capable and a bit brash. The adults were less well defined and the ending was a little abrupt. This did not take anything away from my enjoyment of this story and I definitely recommend this story.
michellesantiago's review against another edition
4.0
Not what I expected, but I really enjoyed it anyway. Full review to come.