MEDIA

Chasing Secrets: A Deadly Surprise in a City of Lies

by Gennifer CHOLDENKO

6 CDs. 7:03 hrs. Listening Library. 2015. $40. ISBN 9781101916353. digital download.

COPY ISBN

Gr 5–8—At the turn of the 20th century in San Francisco, spunky 13-year-old Lizzie Kennedy is not at all enamored with the finishing school for girls she's forced to attend, but she thrives on accompanying her physician father to deliver babies or set bones. Family dynamics, gender expectations, lack of regard for servants, racism against the Chinese, politics, Hearst newspapers, and the bubonic plague all come into play as Lizzie uncovers secrets and helps the Chinese cook's son, Noah, deter a mob who threatens to burn down Chinatown. Karissa Vacker's smooth narration keeps this engaging novel moving.

VERDICT This will be a treat for a wide variety of listeners. ["A fast-paced plot that will appeal to lovers of both mystery and historical fiction": SLJ 6/15 review of the Random Wendy Lamb book.]—Deb Whitbeck, formerly of West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

Reviewed by Julie Judkins , Dec 01, 2015

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:

Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

Fill out the form or Login / Register to comment:

(All fields required)

First Name should not be empty !!!

Last Name should not be empty !!!

email should not be empty !!!

Comment should not be empty !!!

Please check the reCaptcha

Comment should not be empty !!!

CONTINUE READING?

Non - Subscribers

Subscribers

BLOGS

Take Five: LGBTQIA+ Middle Grade Novels

by Amanda MacGregor

BLOGS

How to Put Together an Anthology of Super Stories for Readers Who Live in Middle School: A Play, a guest post by Leah Henderson and Gary D. Schmidt

by Amanda MacGregor

BLOGS

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? LOG IN

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing