The deadliest hurricane in the recorded history of the United States hit the shores of Galveston, Texas, in 1900. This fictionalized account reveals what it must have been like as the winds and floodwaters devastated the island city.

A vividly detailed, fictionalized account of the deadly and devastating hurricane of 1900 that left Galveston, Texas in ruins. ( )

Horrors of History: City of the Dead is a book of historical fiction for young readers. While I was fascinated by this account of the hurricane destroyed much of Galveston, Texas, I was somewhat distracted by knowing that it mixed both fictional and actual characters and events. And while I am sure some of the deaths were even more horrific than portrayed in these pages, I'd urge caution about choosing this for certain children who might be haunted by what they read (as I was, even though I'm an adult).

Overall, I think this is a good starting point for further discussion or teaching about this time period and this weather catastrophe. ( )

City of the Dead is a juvenile historical fiction about the hurricane in Galveston. I have a hard time deciding exactly what age this book is aimed at. The writing and amount of details int he story line feels like it is aimed at late elementary, early middle school, but many of the graphic details will be to vivid for young people in that age range. At times, it was also hard to tell which parts were real and what was fiction. The author's note at the end helped, but didn't totally clear that up.

Overall, it was interesting enough to hold my attention, but I would consider it a jumping off point to learn more, not a through history of the events. ( )

City of the Dead is a historical fiction novel about the Galveston, Texas hurricane of 1900, that is intended for young adults. I must say that a thirteen year old version of me would have loved this because it is very exciting, scary, and you know that it could happen since it is based on a historical event.

The novel could be improved, though. Anderson has a tin ear for dialogue. Much of the dialogue reads like it is from a poorly-written 1950s sitcom. Anderson might have been trying to dumb down the dialogue for a younger audience, but as a high school teacher, I do not think that gives young people enough credit. There could have been more depth and nuance in the dialogue between characters, and it still would have an appeal to young people.

The other improvement would be more back story on the characters. There were characters that died in horrible ways, but I didn't really care that much as a reader because I was never given enough of a chance to begin to care about the character. They still seemed like strangers to me.

The novel was interesting and worth reading, but these last two failings took away some of the enjoyment of reading it. Still, it is a quick read for someone wanting to learn more about the Hurricane. I think I might pass it on to my eight year old to read because he would probably find it exciting. I just wish it had more development. ( )