In a perhaps accidental resonance, readers of this book will surely be reminded of a similar disaster that happened a century later -- the destruction of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. Though one was fire and the other flood, the stories are similar: cities destroyed not as much by acts of nature, as by the following failures of man. The differences lie in the effectiveness of the responses afterwards. Surely we will soon be seeing similar novels of children surviving Katrina.

Hopkinson's take is exciting and, at times, quite moving, as the plucky, goodhearted orphan (is there any other kind in books?) struggles to help others in the face of overwhelming disaster. The details of the earthquake and subsequent fire are gripping, most vividly in their journey across the city while pursued by flames.

The author gives a brief note about the event and how she came to write the book, along with a short bibliography of books about the earthquake for children who want to learn more.