Magnitude {Review}

 

April 18th, 1906...

As Cora heads to the San Francisco docks to meet her father, she assumes that the worst trouble she can run into is the two boys she owes money to...

She's horribly wrong!

When the earth begins to shake and open up, Cora finds herself trapped underground with Chi, the daughter of Chinese immigrants.  The two must work together to keep from being buried alive... and that's just the start of their day.  Once they return to the surface, the girls find a city in chaos.  Separated from their families by crumbling buildings, a raging fire, and moving refugee camps, Cora and Chai team up with Oliver, Cora's lifelong friend, in an attempt to survive the natural disaster and find their loved ones.  This book about courage and friendship plays on actual events to create a thrilling historical read.

We've long been fan's of Jennifer A. Nielsen's work for awhile.  Her historical fiction brings real events to life.  The opening of Magnitude is incredibly gripping with Cora and Chi finding themselves trapped and working together to get free.  We found ourselves urging them on from chapter one.  Nielsen further introduces a variety of characters that kept us guessing as to their true intentions. But the trio of friends left us with no doubts about their bravery, friendship, or determination.  A delightful historical fiction marketed to middle grades, but to be enjoyed by all.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.