"...characters are well developed, their voices are distinct, and the plot moves forward easily...." --Wendy Smith D'Arezzo in School Library Journal

"What do you do when your mom's been dead for seven years, your dad has a new wife, it's summer and you have nothing to do? If you are twelve-year-old Tery, you allow yourself to be coerced into working for the summer school edition of the Korndogger with Sheba, the queen herself, as your editor. What you don't do is tell people that you still have visions of your mother who gives advice and encouragement. Tery, whose name comes from Teru, a Japanese name meaning sunshine, in honor of Obahchan, her Japanese grandmother, thinks she is alone in her vision-seeing abilities until she interviews 106-year-old Julius Caesar Kuhl. Junior, for the newspaper. What began as a forced task to please her father and Sheba turns into a heartfelt exploration of life in San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake. Mr. Kuhl, the oldest man in town, just happens to be kin to Ritchie, vandal and prankster extraordinaire. Ritchie's appearances deftly coincide with disappearances of his grandfather's prized possessions. Is something more sinister going on? Readers will quickly turn pages to learn the conclusion.
         "The backdrop of earthquake and the unsettling transition from middle school to high school make this a book with historical focus and contemporary lessons. The author has created a history/mystery/coming of age story that works. I liked Tery's spunkiness and compassion. This would work well as background for San Francisco earthquake and lessons on preparedness."                       
--Beth Edelstein in Flamingnet Reviews

"Catching up with the lives of the inhabitants of Balona, California is always a pleasurable reading experience. But this look at the great quake of San Francisco through the eyes of very old Junior Kuhl and the words of Tery Ordway make it more so. The quirky population of Balona is worth the price of admission and the character development is fun at all levels. This book really stood out for me in the way that the highly gifted and talented Tery was treated. It is seldom that a book catches and actually promotes understanding of the kids who need more intellectual challenges and a little more responsibility in the world. The other fun thing is unwinding the interwoven relations of the many generations we meet. I can hardly wait for the next installment. These characters really grow on you. Recommended for YA and adults."      --Laurabelle Hibbets McCaffery, Librarian (IN)

"In college, his nickname was "Pixie." Anybody reading Jonathan Pearce's Nobody's Fault will find out why. He dazzles and delights with his penchant for quirky characters and disarming detail, combined with an ever-twisting plot and its succession of startling surprises. This trip to Pearce's balmy Balona, via San Francisco's terrible 1906 quake and fire, is one you'll not want to miss!"
                        ---A. John Graves, Musician; and Radio, TV, and Film Executive

"...the balancing of the parallel stories is expertly accomplished...the characters are alive and memorable and endearing...."
                      --Tom McKenzie, Director, producer

"...Nobody's Fault could be the basis for an excellent film...The characters and their adventures present a dramatic and satisfying read that is also historically accurate...."
                      --Daniel Finnegan, Historian

"...Tery and Junior make a cool Odd Couple. I wish Junior was able to hang around for a sequel. He sure deserves it."
                      --Darylla Gamble, High school student

"....funny...imaginative and alive...goosepimples real...."--Don Rankin, Oldster (CA)