The Great Fire: A City in Flames (National Archives)
National Archives Series
on Goodreads (13)
What’s inside...
A thrilling historical adventure produced in partnership with the National Archives. Orphan Sam has survived the Great Plague, but his chance at a new life goes up in smoke when a fire breaks out on Pudding Lane. Left alone and homeless by the Great Plague, Sam struggled to survive. He was lucky to get a job working for the Giraud family. Though Andre, the son of his boss, doesn't make life easy. And then a fire breaks out on Pudding Lane. Before anyone fully realises what's happening, London's burning... and this fire can't be put out. Now it's time for Sam to prove what he's really worth. If he can get out alive...
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
93 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the people felt during the Great Fire and how did they help each other?
Why is it important to keep historical records like the ones mentioned in the book?
What can we learn from the way the city was rebuilt after the fire?
How do you think modern technology would change the outcome if such an event were to happen today?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the historical context of the book, asking how they might have felt or acted.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and community support during crises, drawing parallels to any modern events.
After reading the book, explore more about the National Archives and other historical records together online or through a visit to a museum.
Connect the book’s themes to current events or personal experiences to make the historical content more relatable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the importance of resilience
Explanation: The book chronicles how individuals and communities rebuilt their lives after the devastating Great Fire of London. Through vivid storytelling, it illustrates perseverance in the face of adversity.
Real-World Application: Children learn that challenges can be overcome with determination and resilience, teaching them to remain strong and persistent when facing difficulties in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Learning about historical events
Explanation: The narrative provides a detailed account of the Great Fire of London, giving insights into the historical context and the impact it had on society.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand significant historical events and their consequences, fostering an interest in history and knowledge about the past.
Example Lesson: The value of community support
Explanation: The story emphasizes how neighbors and the community came together to help each other during the calamity.
Real-World Application: It encourages children to appreciate the importance of community and teamwork, inspiring them to contribute positively to their own communities.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: The characters in the book come up with various strategies to combat the fire and minimize damage, showcasing problem-solving under pressure.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think critically and develop problem-solving skills that are applicable in emergency situations and everyday challenges.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: The book discusses the aftermath of the fire including what was learned and how better precautions were put into place afterwards.
Real-World Application: This imparts a valuable lesson on the importance of learning from mistakes and the necessity of improving systems and protocols to prevent future issues.