Escape from the Great Earthquake

Yay for Little Free Libraries! I never would have discovered this valuable series if not for the random discovery of this book in one of them.

A dog who is a hero, who travels through time to help people survive events in history, via whom the reader learns some history, framed by a modern setting which complements the primary story (in this case, both feature refugees who need blankets, clothes, etc. to help them make their new start), with excellent author's notes.

I would highly recommend this to any children I know, especially those hooked on Magic Tree House but starting to outgrow them. I might even read another in the series myself.

I received a free pack of these along with purchase from my Scholastic order, and wanted to read it before distributing. I intended to read the first chapter and then set it aside, and I ended up reading it all in one quick sitting.

Ranger is a time-traveling rescue dog. (!) He has a family in the present, and sometimes he's zapped away to help with a rescue mission. In this case, he was off to California to assist following the San Francisco earthquake of the early 1900s. He helped a Chinese immigrant and some of her friends to safety.

Targeted for the 2nd-4th grade range, readers will keep the pages turning to find out what will happen next. The historical details are fascinating, and readers won't want to miss the author's note at the show more end for further information on her research process and other facts about the story. show less

{My thoughts} – Ranger is sent off on an all new adventure. This time however, he struggles with figuring out his purpose. He isn’t sure why he’s sent where he is sent. He’s not sure what he’s suppose to do to help, and then just as the confusion settles everything makes sense.

Lily is a sweet girl that lives in a group home. She doesn’t have a really family and doesn’t feel like she belongs. May is a smart girl that goes to school, helps her parents and seems to have an overall happy life.

Lily runs back in her group home to save a fish when the ground starts to shake. Ranger sees her and goes after her. He helps to get her out of the building and they run into May. May is trying to find someone to help her. Her little show more brother got trapped in their families store when the roof collapsed.

Ranger goes a long with and helps find her brother. Together the girls get him out and to safety. Once they are safely out of the store they seek medical help for May’s brother.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It helps to show children how difficult it might be to navigate a town/city ravaged by an earthquake and its fires. It helps to show that even though you might not think you will see someone you love and care about again, that’s it’s okay to hope for such an outcome.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series soon. show less

Summary: This time Ranger, the time-traveling Golden retriever, finds himself in San Francisco in the middle of the great 1906 earthquake, and his mission is obviously to get a young Chinese immigrant, Lily Chen, to safety, but as they make their way through the ruined and burning city Ranger finds that he must also accomplish something else--finding Lily, who was sold as a servant by her parents, a new family who will care for her.