Families who loved The San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 by Lauren Tarshis often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child starts asking questions about natural disasters or feels anxious after hearing scary news reports. This historical fiction story provides a safe, structured way to process real-world dangers by following a brave, relatable protagonist through a difficult event. The story centers on 10-year-old Leo, a newsboy in 1906 San Francisco who must find his way through the chaos of a massive earthquake and the subsequent fires. While the situation is intense, the focus remains on resilience, family loyalty, and the community's effort to rebuild. It is perfectly calibrated for the 7 to 10 age range, offering just enough suspense to keep them engaged without becoming gratuitously graphic. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's fears while modeling how to stay calm and helpful during a crisis.
