The Great Fire
With spellbinding detail, Murphy follows the spread of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. His exacting research is woven with historical illustrations, maps, photographs and eye-witness accounts of survivors as he reports on the progress of the relentless flames burning through the wooden streets, buildings and walkways of the rain-deprived city with a power both dangerous and seductive to those in their path. In the fire's aftermath, Murphy chronicles the devastation: 300 people dead and 100,000 homeless--wandering streets or setting up shelters in parks and cemeteries. But out of the ashes, Murphy notes, a new city was built--one that pushed the poor from the city's center even as it presented a new and shining face to the world. ©1995 Cooperative Children's Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 11-14
Age Range:
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format:
Substantial Narrative Non-Fiction
Subjects:
19th Century
Class Issues
Disasters
U.S. History
Publisher:
Scholastic
Publish Year: 1995
Pages: 141
ISBN: 0590472674
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 977 Murphy