The Boy Who Saved Cleveland: Based on a True Story

by James Cross Giblin, Michael Dooling (Illustrator)

If not for Seth Doan, the city of Cleveland wouldn't exist today...

In 1798, Cleveland, Ohio, was in danger of being wiped out by a malaria epidemic. Based on fact, this book tells the remarkable story of Seth Doan, a young boy whose heroic efforts kept his family and neighbors alive and ultimately put the city of Cleveland on the map. J

im Giblin's first full-length work of historical fiction, this chapter book is perfect for kids of that in-between age―too old for picture books and too young for full-length novels.

The Boy Who Saved Cleveland is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Historical, Juvenile, Fiction

80 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2006

About the author

James Cross Giblin was an American children's author and editor, known for his award-winning works. He won the Golden Kite Award and the Sibert Medal for his contributions to children's literature. Giblin was born in Cleveland and raised in Painesville, Ohio. He graduated from Western Reserve University and earned a master's in playwriting from Columbia University. After a brief acting career, he entered publishing, founding Clarion Books, a children's imprint later acquired by Houghton Mifflin. At Clarion, he edited works by notable authors like Eileen Christelow and Mary Downing Hahn. Giblin’s works include The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler and Good Brother, Bad Brother.

Reviews

[Darcie Saunier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Children’s book about survival in a new settlement in early Ohio. Quick and believable. Well-written.

[Sannasue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh - good, short historical fiction

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

B. fiction, children's fiction, grade 2, historical fiction,

[Barbara Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a true story.

[Katharine Ott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If you could look down on the place from the air, you might think no one lived there." Author James Cross Giblin has written a simple short story describing the fledgling settlement of Cleveland in 1798. Living in the area now, it's hard to imagine the tiny grouping of three cabins near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, and the bravery of the families who traveled there from Connecticut.

Giblin based his story on research and the character names are still well known in Cleveland today. Young Seth Doan becomes a hero when his family and neighbors fall ill and he is the only one who can take their corn to the mill along old Indians trails where he is liable to meet dangerous animals.

Michael Dooling's drawings, which I enjoyed in "Lewis and Clark and Me: A Dog's Tale," certainly help to bring the story to life. This is a great historical fiction story for any young reader, Clevelander or not.

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

short, short historical fiction for beginning chapter book readers about a boy who lives in cleveland back when there were only three cabins. the inhabitants of those cabins fall ill and he is the only one well enough to take corn to the mill each day so that everyone will have food to eat. there are several references to bible reading (it’s the only book they own and he loves to read), but if that doesn’t bother you (and it didn’t bother me) it’s an excellent example of historical fiction.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this when the title came up on a library search. It's a book for young readers about the first three families in Cleveland proper and how the small settlement was threatened with extinction due to the ague (a form of malaria!) The boy in the title makes the long walk back and forth to the mill required daily for the families' corn to be ground for their meals. The story ends with two strangers arriving having slashed a road through from Conneaut.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book at a recent library sale to give to my cousins' kids, who happen to live in Cleveland, so I thought they'd like it. It's based on the historical story of the new settlement of Cleveland in the late 1700's and a malaria epidemic that threatens to wipe out the small group of settlers, who are held together by a young boy's heroic efforts to provide them with food during the crisis. A quick read, educational, and fun, if not much in depth.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sweet story about a small boy who is the only one well enough to provide the necessary cornmeal to feed his small town. He loves to read too. The only book he has access to is the Bible and has become endeared to it. At the end, the town gives him a gift to thank him for "saving" them. What gift you say? A book--Robinson Crusoe!

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story about a boy who saves the early settlers of Cleveland during a malaria epidemic. Written from the boy's POV. Gives a brief look at the difficulties of life for the early settlers. Realistic pencil drawings.

[Sally · Rating 2 out of 5]

In 1798 Cleveland was considered west. The only way to get there was by boat. The small community came down with the shakes and fever - known as ague - a form of malaria. Seth cared for his family and small community.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

gr 3-4 63 pgs

1780s, Cleveland, Ohio. When the entire population of Cleveland (all three families) fall sick with the shakes and fever (malaria), it is up to 10 year old Seth to grind the corn at the mill and bring it to sick families to eat.

Based on a true story.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a boy who saved his community, which grew into the city of Cleveland, Ohio. Seth's family is stricken with malaria and Seth is the one who keeps them and his neighbors fed by hauling corn to the mill everyday to be ground into cornmeal.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coming in at less than sixty pages, this book is a quick read about an illness that overtakes tiny Cleveland in the late eighteenth century.

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice, quick novel, based on true events. I didn't really want to read it, but was glad I did. Didn't take long, but it was enjoyable and a good look at that historical period.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good book to read to a 3rd grader.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great...a quick read and has some overtones of Christianity.

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of information and persinal life of a boy who had to grow up pioneer time. I won't give it 5 stares because it deffinetly wasn't my leval of reading but this is a very good book.

[Mylinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful little story. Good history lesson. I want all of my kids to read this.

[Casertalaura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great and amazing story. Annie read this book in school and told me I had to read it... and I am so glad I did!! I highly reccommend this book to any Clevelander!!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

What better way to teach children about history than through a book like this? I think it is for children in third grade or higher. Addresses malaria in Cleveland.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick read about the earliest settlers of the city if Cleveland, Ohio. Great story of courage.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very interesting!

[∞Bertha _ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great easy and fast read, appropriate for early elementary grade children.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a strange comfort to know that people went through a pandemic before, before doctors really knew what they were doing, and we can get through it just like they did

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story, when "Cleaveland" was a tiny settlement of three families....the only way to get there is by boat. In 1798, Seth Doan is the only healthy person in the settlement who has avoided getting malaria....so he is charges with lugging sacks of corn to the mill, and lugging the cornmeal bacteria to Cleaveland (the original spelling). Every day. Back and forth. Keeping his family and neighbors alive.

A good picture of what early pioneers faced in settling our country.