Fever 1793
An epidemic of fever sweeps through the streets of 1793 Philadelphia in this novel from Laurie Halse Anderson where "the plot rages like the epidemic itself" (The New York Times Book Review). During the summer of 1793, Mattie Cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Mattie spends her days avoiding chores and making plans to turn the family business into the finest Philadelphia has ever seen. But then the fever breaks out. Disease sweeps the streets, destroying everything in its path and turning Mattie's world upside down. At her feverish mother's insistence, Mattie flees the city with her grandfather. But she soon discovers that the sickness is everywhere, and Mattie must learn quickly how to survive in a city turned frantic with disease.
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
Set in 1793, this novel follows one young teenage girl as she navigates the dangers of yellow-fever infested Philadelphia. A sad, interesting book, it shone a light on a part of history I knew relatively little about. This would probably be a good way to get kids interested in history. It was fine as a novel, but I didn't like it as well as the other two novels I've read by her so far. Still an interesting read.
This is not my usual type of story. I only read it because it fit the criteria of a challenge I was trying to do. That being said I did become emotionally invested in the characters. I came very close to crying a couple of times.
I found it difficult to try and imagine living through something like that. I honestly don't know how I would handle myself. I think I would have been one of the people to have fled or maybe one of the people to get sick and not make it. I am not sure I have the character to be able to not only survive, but be able to help others as Mattie and Eliza did.
I really liked how it ended. I was impressed with the personality growth of Mattie through the story. In the beginning she was a child who thought she was grown up. By the end she was an adult who had not only survived, but had come out stronger and had the ability to decide what she wanted.
I found it difficult to try and imagine living through something like that. I honestly don't know how I would handle myself. I think I would have been one of the people to have fled or maybe one of the people to get sick and not make it. I am not sure I have the character to be able to not only survive, but be able to help others as Mattie and Eliza did.
I really liked how it ended. I was impressed with the personality growth of Mattie through the story. In the beginning she was a child who thought she was grown up. By the end she was an adult who had not only survived, but had come out stronger and had the ability to decide what she wanted.
Beautifully written. I read this as a read aloud to my middle school age children, and certainly in 2020 this holds special importance. The writing is incredibly vivid and descriptive. I loved the historical notes in the end of the book.
Really enjoyed this book, It was a great Opportunity to Learn more about American History. I cried when the Grandfather died!
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.