History Comics: The Great Chicago Fire - by Kate Hannigan

About the Book

"In History Comics: The Great Chicago Fire, writer Kate Hannigan and illustrator Alex Graudins tell the true story of how a city rose up from one of the worst catastrophes in American history, and how this disaster forever changed how homes, buildings, and communities are constructed. A deadly blaze engulfs Chicago for two terrifying days! A brother, a sister, and a helpless puppy must race through the city to stay one step ahead of the devilish inferno. But can they reunite with their lost family before it's too late?"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Turn back the clock with History Comics! In The Great Chicago Fire you'll learn how a city rose up from one of the worst catastrophes in American history.

A deadly blaze engulfs Chicago for two terrifying days! A brother, a sister, and a helpless puppy must race through the city to stay one step ahead of the devilish inferno. But can they reunite with their lost family before it's too late?

Review Quotes

"Vibrant artwork and an engaging story make this a great vehicle for a poignant glimpse at American history."--Booklist

"Hannigan sticks closely to historical records in tracing the causes and course of the fire as well as the architectural and infrastructure improvements wrought in its wake and the fair's artistic and technological highlights. ...Graudins overlays the infodumps with small, intimate panels depicting period-clad people with appealingly open expressions (and, often, puppies in tow) in accurately drawn settings. A fictive plotline adds a strong "you are there" feel to this informative account."--Kirkus

About the Author

Kate Hannigan used to work for daily newspapers, but now she writes fiction and nonfiction for young readers, digging up remarkable people from history and sharing their stories. Her work includes a middle-grade historical fantasy series, The League of Secret Heroes, the historical mystery The Detective's Assistant, and a picture book biography of Belva Lockwood, A Lady Has the Floor.

Alex Graudins is a Rhode Island-based cartoonist known for illustrating Science Comics: The Brain. She graduated from the School of Visual Arts' Cartooning program in 2016 and has since contributed comics to sites like The Nib and CollegeHumor. In her free time, she draws autobiographical comics about living with anxiety.