This is San Francisco
by Miroslav Sasek
Cable cars, Chinatown and other city sights are depicted with bright, stylized illustrations in this classic portrait of San Francisco, first published in 1961 and presented here in facsimile.
San Francisco, A Cultural History
by Mick Sinclair
Organized more thematically than chronologically, this easy-to-read introduction to the city and its neighborhoods will appeal both to first time visitors and those who know and love the city.
San Francisco Stories: Tales of the City
by John Miller (Editor)
San Francisco Stories collects the most outstanding writings about the city from some of the most distinguished authors of the last 150 years.
The Mystery in San Francisco
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
When the Boxcar Children go to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, they discover something amiss with their friend’s fishing operation. Will they solve the mystery?
The Cable Car and the Dragon
by Barbara Ninde Byfield (Illustrator), Herb Caen
An illustrated journey through San Francisco, from Fisherman's Wharf to Chinatown, alongside a cable car and a Chinese dragon.
Escape from Alcatraz
by J. Campbell Bruce
First published in 1963, this true crime classic is now out in a special edition. Bruce recounts the Rock’s transition from a Spanish fort to the infamous penitentiary, temporary home of legendary criminals like Al Capone and the Birdman of Alcatraz (Robert Stroud). He also includes descriptions of Frank Morris’ escape attempt alongside archival photos.
The Lucky Ones, One Family and the Extraordinary Invention of Chinese America
by Mae Ngai
Ngai, a professor of history at Columbia University, uncovers the story of the Tape family in post-Gold Rush, racially explosive San Francisco.
Maybelle the Cable Car
by Virginia Lee Burton
The true story of how the people of San Francisco banded together to stop the city from shutting down the cable cars -- which still run today! Illustrated and told through the perspective of Maybelle the cable car.
Fifth Chinese Daughter
by Jade Snow Wong
First published in 1945, Jade Snow Wong's memoir is a simply told, moving story of family life in pre-WWII San Francisco Chinatown.
1906: A Novel
by James Dalessandro
Set during the great San Francisco earthquake and fire, this page-turning historical novel reveals recently uncovered facts that forever change our understanding of what really happened. Narrated by a feisty young reporter, Annalisa Passarelli, the novel paints a vivid picture of the Post-Victorian city, from the mansions of Nob Hill to the underbelly of the Barbary Coast to the arrival of tenor Enrico Caruso and the Metropolitan Opera. Central to the story is the ongoing battle--fought even as the city burns--that pits incompetent and unscrupulous politicians against a coalition of honest police officers, newspaper editors, citizens, and a lone federal prosecutor. James Dalessandro weaves unforgettable characters and actual events into a compelling epic.
City by the Bay: A Magical Journey Around San Francisco
by Elisa Kleven (Illustrator), Tricia Brown
A colorful introduction to San Francisco’s highlights through collage-style illustrations of city landmarks -- kids will have fun finding the hidden surprises in each picture.
San Francisco
by Andrews McMeel Publishing
A fabulous and stylish die-cut book that introduces young readers to San Francisco highlights.
Earthquake in the Early Morning
by Mary Pope Osborne
Jack and Annie travel to the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake where they meet a reporter and bring kids to safety.
Streetwise San Francisco Map
by Michelin
A laminated, folded map of the city center of San Francisco at a scale of 1:30,000.
Golden Gate, The Life and Times of America's Greatest Bridge
by Kevin Starr
Starr covers the history and meaning of this beloved icon and great American feats of engineering in this slim portrait.
Journey Around San Francisco from A to Z
by Martha Day Zschock
Exploring the unique cultural appeal of San Francisco this children's book for ages 6 to 9 is an informative read, made enjoyable by lots of hand-drawn color illustrations.
Tales from Alcatraz Series
by Gennifer Choldenko
An award-winning series about a young boy and his family who live on Alcatraz Island in 1935; humorously narrated and full of history about The Rock. There are four books: Al Capone Does My Shirts, Al Capone Shines My Shoes, Al Capone Does My Homework and Al Capone Throws Me a Curve.