Nothing Left But Dust

by Melissa Geissinger

Overview

Nothing Left But Dust is a powerful tale of love, loss, and hope set against the backdrop of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Follow Jo, a young woman struggling to heal after her Papa's death, as she tries to break free of her uncle's indentured servitude and secure an apprenticeship at a map-making shop.

And Otto, a privileged young man with dreams of running away to become an artist, as he battles to escape the clutches of a ruthless crimp who means to have him Shanghaied.

When the city is struck by the devastating earthquake on the morning of April 18th, their lives are forever changed. While it sets Otto free, it takes everything Jo holds dear and unearths a dark family secret.

As they traverse the burning ruins of the city in search of answers, Jo and Otto must find the strength to survive and the courage to confront their families, all while navigating the unfamiliar landscape of falling in love.

Nothing Left But Dust is a must-read for fans of young adult historical fiction. It's an edge-of-your-seat coming-of-age survival story that will leave you inspired by the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781960440013
Publisher:	Arken Press LLC
Publication date:	04/05/2023
Pages:	294
Sales rank:	1,047,639
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.73(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Melissa Geissinger is descended from survivors of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and is herself a wildfire survivor. A neurodivergent optimist, Melissa is predisposed to following her dreams as well as every shiny side quest along the way. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her partner, her five-year-old heart warrior son, and a menagerie of fur kids. She enjoys the outdoors, soaking up knowledge, and connecting with other passionate creators. Nothing Left But Dust is her first novel. You can follow her writing at melissageissinger.com or on Instagram @melissageissinger

Editorial Reviews

2023-04-19
The 1906 earthquake and subsequent fires that destroyed much of San Francisco provide the backdrop for Geissinger’s YA coming-of-age novel.

Josephine “Jo” Moreci, not yet 16 years old, lives with her uncle and aunt in San Francisco. Not long after her father died from an accidental gunshot wound three years earlier, her distraught mother moved across town with Jo’s younger brother, leaving the still-grieving teenager to pay off her father’s debts by working for (and sadly residing with) her cruel uncle. Fortunately, Jo finds solace in her mentor, Mrs. Tucci, who runs her late husband’s map-printing shop. Jo stands on the threshold of becoming Mrs. Tucci’s official, full-time apprentice. Meanwhile, across town, a young man named Otto Frei struggles under the pressure of his father’s desire for him to join the family’s successful business and plans his escape. August Frei is a builder of fine billiards and pool tables, and his products are desired by the most exclusive establishments; Otto is an aspiring artist. The evening he secretly leaves home, as he is wandering by the waterfront searching for a room in which to await the departure of the morning ferry, he is drugged, abducted, and locked in a basement. Early the next morning, on April 18, 1906, the earth begins shaking, and buildings start trembling then tumble to the ground. The author, a descendant of survivors of the earthquake, describes the increasing devastation, block by block, in riveting detail—broken gas and water lines and fires erupting everywhere with no way of fighting the flames. As Otto and Jo fight their way through the chaos, their paths serendipitously cross. The author has crafted a multilayered narrative about loss, first love, family secrets, and hopeful new beginnings rising from the ashes. Historically engrossing, especially in the descriptions of saving Telegraph Hill from the devastation (“The fire began to climb in elevation above the base of the hill, eating its way through North Beach. Jo watched in horror as the flames consumed Saints Peter and Paul Church”), Geissinger’s tale ably escorts readers on a vivid, albeit smoky, tour of San Francisco’s streets, landmarks, and underground water cisterns.

A strong young female lead fuels this engaging, action-packed read.

Kirkus Reviews