Grade 4-7-Set amid the rubble and confusion of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, this story is full of suspense and action. Clara, 12, and her family are awakened in the early morning to a damaged home, but one that, miraculously, remains standing. In the aftermath of chaos and fire, she finds an abandoned baby on her doorstep. The mystery deepens when she discovers that the infant is really a girl who has been disguised as a boy. As Clara and her family care for her, they soon discover that the child had been kidnapped and is in danger. The plot unfolds smoothly and builds to a satisfying conclusion. Mystery fans will be hooked by the daring rescues, escapes, and sinister criminals. Details about the earthquake are seamlessly incorporated into the narrative, giving it a real context. A well-done afterword gives more information about the period.
Kristen Oravec, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Strongsville, OH
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Genre: Mystery