Quake!
It is before daybreak on April 18, 1906. Jacob Kaufman slips out of the wooden boarding house where he lives with his immigrant father and little sister Rosie, his father's harsh words still ringing in his ears.
Suddenly the ground beneath his feet begins to rumble, buildings collapse and the street splits wide open as Jacob runs to find safety from a devastating earthquake. Fires engulf the city. He returns to find his father and sister… but there is nothing left of the building but a pile of sticks. Jacob and his dog join the throng of other people searching for shelter, food, fresh water…and loved ones who are missing.
In award-winning author 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, through the courageous survival of a young boy. An Author's Note at the end carefully separates fact from fiction, giving young readers a glimpse into one of the worst earthquakes in modern history.
Author & Illustrator
Gail Langer Karwoski taught third- and fourth-grade students for many years. She received a BA from the University of Massachusetts and an MA from the University of Minnesota. She lives in Georgia.
You can visit Gail Langer Karwoski’s website here.
Reviews
“Karwoski's research is apparent in the many vivid details of life after the earthquake, but readers will be less concerned with social issues and than with the developing stories of the sympathetic characters.” ―Booklist
“Karwoski's novel conveys very capably the fear, disorientation, and shock of living through a major disaster and coping with the aftermath... Quake! combines disaster and family longing for a sturdily constructed and affecting look at the past.” ―School Library Journal
Awards
Maxwell Medal (children's) ―Dog Writers of America 2004
Notable Children's Books of Jewish Content: the Best of the Bunch (older readers) ―Association of Jewish Libraries 2004
Young Adult Top Forty ―Pennsylvania School Librarians Association 2004
Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (starred, primary) ―Kansas National Education Association 2005
Land of Enchantment Book Awards (Master List) ―New Mexico Library Association, New Mexico Council of IRA 2007-2008
Volunteer State Book Awards (master list, 4-6) ―Tennessee Association of School Librarians 2006-2007
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (nominee grades 3-8) ―FAME 2006-2007
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (master list) ―Salem State College 2006-2007
Rhode Island Children's Book Award (nominee) ―Rhode Island IRA Chapter, RILA, REIMA 2006
Nevada Young Readers' Award, Young Reader Category (nominee) ―Nevada Library Association 2007

