I've found that this theme comes up quite often in the books I pick up. This is yet another book that discusses a contagious disease and the fear of that disease. I read about half the book in one sitting, and then it took me a couple of weeks to finish the rest. With that said, I didn't find the plot spectacularly engaging. The characters are well-drawn and the writing envelops you with detail. She also comes to recognize that the plague (and quarantines that resulted) were often used as a justification for attacks on the Chinese people. Lizzie comes to see the prejudice and paranoia that prevails over the Chinese people because she has a personal connection with Jing (and also finds out that his son, Noah, has been hiding in her attic). The servant she is seeking to find, named Jing, is being held in quarantine in Chinatown in San Francisco. The main character, Lizzie, is an upper-class white girl. She also crafts a plot that allowed her to examine the time period from several perspectives. Choldenko took on a story that has not really been discussed - especially through historical fiction. I really like the storyline of this book. Reading level - upper middle grade - No real content concerns, there is racism towards Chinese people, however, the main character is supportive)
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