Horrors of History: City of the Dead

Horrors of History:City of the Dead
By T. Neill Anderson, illustrated by Richard Garratt
Watertown, Mass. : MTM Publishing, Charlesbridge, 2013, Ages 9-13

This is a historical fiction about a hurricane that destroyed much of Galveston, Texas, in 1900.  This focuses on kids in an orphanage and also others that lived in Galveston and the struggles that they faced during the storm.

This story was written in a very serious manner and shows the perspectives of a few different people.  Narrative first hand accounts are used throughout the story and it makes it very interesting to read.

The illustrations are mainly historical pictures that have to with the storm itself.  Also there is a map that shows the path of the storm.  The pictures really do help the reader make connections with the story.

I thought that this was a very well written book and it really grabbed my attention.  The way that the characters are portrayed in the book really makes it exciting.  I would recommend it to any middle childhood student that is interested in the subject.  This is a great example of a historical fiction.

Reviewed by Ryan Pivcevich