The Great Fire
By Jim Murphy
Murphy, Jim. 1995. THE GREAT FIRE. New York: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 9780590472678
Summary
In October of 1871, the infamous Great Fire destroyed a large portion of Chicago, consuming buildings and lives in its unrelenting march across the city. Many factors are blamed for the unquenchable spread of the fire, including human mistake, miscommunications, and building practices. The experiences of several people are chronicled throughout this book, as the reader is able to see, hear, and feel the fire through their eyes. This highly informative book, though factual, has a more storybook quality in the telling of epic disaster.
Critical Analysis
Though this book reads more like a story, it is highly accurate with facts documented by a lengthy bibliography of a variety of sources. Jim Murphy’s highly acclaimed reputation for his informational literature for children lend to the credibility and accuracy of the book. His use of first-hand accounts contributes not only to the authenticity, but also to the fascination for the reader.
The book is organized in a chronological sequence of events, told as a story through chapters. Readers are aided by the table of contents and index to locate more specific information, though the lack of subheading and divisions in the chapters due to the story-like style make it less user friendly for researchers of very specific facts.
The larger amounts of text are accompanied by illustrations, maps, and photographs, all in a sepia color. The color is appreciated for its more historic feel, though the lack of color variation in the pictures may fail to capture the interest of a browsing child. Though, the mix of drawn illustrations and historical photographs are highly appropriate and help to relate the facts and experiences of the event. The maps which accompany each chapter show the progression of the fire, along with marked locations discussed in the chapter, all of which greatly help the reader to grasp the magnitude of the fire, as well as follow the movements of the chronicled characters.
The Great Fire is dramatic, engaging, and definitely a page turner. The author uses a wonderful blend of story elements and imagery with factual details, told in a riveting style which rotates among involved characters and other information. Though much information is presented, this book leads the reader to ask questions as they go, piquing in interest into extended reading and study.
Awards, Honors, and Best Book Lists
Jefferson Cup Award, 1996 Winner Virginia John Newbery Medal, 1996 Honor Book United States Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 1996 Winner United States Reading Magic Award, 1995 Winner United States
Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for PreK-Grade 6, 1997 ; National Council of Teachers of English; United StatesBooklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 1995 ; American Library Association; United StatesBooks for You: An Annotated Booklist for Senior High, Thirteenth Edition, 1997 ; National Council of Teachers of English; United StatesBulletin Blue Ribbons, 1995 ; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United StatesChildren's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001 ; H.W. Wilson; United StatesChildren's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006 ; H.W. Wilson; United StatesChildren's Literature Choice List, 1996 ; Children's Literature; United StatesHungry Mind Finalists, 1995 ; Hungry Mind Review; United StatesKirkus Book Review Stars, 1995 ; United StatesLos Angeles' 100 Best Books, 1995 ; IRA Children's Literature and Reading SIG and the Los Angeles Unified School District; United StatesMiddle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000 ; H.W. Wilson; United StatesMiddle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005 ; H.W. Wilson; United StatesNotable Children's Books, 1996 ; American Library Association ALSC; United StatesNotable Children's Trade Books in the Field of the Social Studies, 1995 ; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS; United StatesOutstanding Nonfiction for Middle School Students, 1995 ; Voice of Youth Advocates; United StatesPublishers Weekly Book Review Stars, May 1995 ; Cahners; United StatesReading Magic Award, 1996 ; Parenting; United StatesRecommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002 ; California Department of Education; CaliforniaSchool Library Journal Best Books, 1995 ; Cahners; United StatesSchool Library Journal Book Review Stars, July 1995 ; Cahners; United StatesSchool Library Journal: Best Books for Young Adults, 1995 ; Cahners; United StatesSenior High Core Collection, Seventeenth Edition, 2007 ; The H. W. Wilson Co.; United StatesYALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 1996 ; American Library Association; United StatesYALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 1996 ; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
Review Excerpts
Frances Bradburn (Booklist, June 1 & 15, 1995 (Vol. 91, No. 19 & 20))
The great Chicago fire has long been the stuff of folklore and legend. Yet separating fact from fiction in this major disaster has often appeared a secondary priority at best. Murphy sets the record straight through carefully selected documents, personal accounts, photographs, and illustrations…The Great Fire will automatically draw readers with its fiery cover and illustrations of disaster, but the text will keep them reading.
The great Chicago fire has long been the stuff of folklore and legend. Yet separating fact from fiction in this major disaster has often appeared a secondary priority at best. Murphy sets the record straight through carefully selected documents, personal accounts, photographs, and illustrations…The Great Fire will automatically draw readers with its fiery cover and illustrations of disaster, but the text will keep them reading.
Gisela Jernigan, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
…He successfully interweaves the true survival stories of several real people into his description of the fire's fierce onslaught, which successfully transport readers into the disaster scene. The last chapter dispelling some of the myths and legends that grew up around the disaster is especially interesting.
…He successfully interweaves the true survival stories of several real people into his description of the fire's fierce onslaught, which successfully transport readers into the disaster scene. The last chapter dispelling some of the myths and legends that grew up around the disaster is especially interesting.
Connections
Other book about the Chicago fire:
The Great Chicago Fire
2006 by Marc Tyler Nobleman. Compass Point Books, Minneapolis, Minn. : U.S.A
2006 by Marc Tyler Nobleman. Compass Point Books, Minneapolis, Minn. : U.S.A
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871
2006 by Kay M. Olson ; illustrated by Phil Miller and Charles Barnett III. Capstone Press, Mankato, Minn. : U.S.A
2006 by Kay M. Olson ; illustrated by Phil Miller and Charles Barnett III. Capstone Press, Mankato, Minn. : U.S.A
The great Chicago fire
2007 by Janet McHugh. Bearport, New York : U.S.A
2007 by Janet McHugh. Bearport, New York : U.S.A
Extensions:
· Students could read about and report on other major disasters in US history
· Students could analyze the issues which led to the fire spreading and debate how those could have been avoided/changed and what differences it would make
· Lesson on fire safety and emergency preparedness; students could analyze families emergency plan/create a plan
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