Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages
251
Description
In 1793 Philadelphia, sixteen-year-old Matilda Cook, separated from her sick mother, learns about perseverance and self-reliance when she is forced to cope with the horrors of a yellow fever epidemic.
Description
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.
It's late summer 1793, and the streets of Philadelphia are abuzz with mosquitoes and rumors of fever. Down near the docks, many have taken ill, and the fatalities are mounting. Now they include Polly, the serving girl at the Cook Coffeehouse. But fourteen-year-old Mattie Cook doesn't get a moment to mourn the passing of her childhood playmate. New customers have overrun her family's coffee shop, located far from the mosquito-infested river, and Mattie's concerns of fever are all but overshadowed by dreams of growing her family's small business into a thriving enterprise. But when the fever begins to strike closer to home, Mattie's struggle to build a new life must give way to a new fight—the fight to stay alive.
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.
It's late summer 1793, and the streets of Philadelphia are abuzz with mosquitoes and rumors of fever. Down near the docks, many have taken ill, and the fatalities are mounting. Now they include Polly, the serving girl at the Cook Coffeehouse. But fourteen-year-old Mattie Cook doesn't get a moment to mourn the passing of her childhood playmate. New customers have overrun her family's coffee shop, located far from the mosquito-infested river, and Mattie's concerns of fever are all but overshadowed by dreams of growing her family's small business into a thriving enterprise. But when the fever begins to strike closer to home, Mattie's struggle to build a new life must give way to a new fight—the fight to stay alive.
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2000-09-01
Physical description
251 p.; 7.6 inches
ISBN
9780689848919
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Media reviews
This is a great historical fiction for middle school through adults. I don't remember being taught anything about the yellow fever epidemic that consumed Philadelphia in 1793 so I was really interested after reading the description.
In the beginning of the book, Mattie Cook is a typical kid with
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big hopes and dreams. She often butted heads with her hard-working mother who owned and operated a coffee shop. The shop was normally packed all day, but as the fever spread, more and more people fled to the country leaving Philadelphia a ghost town.
Mattie came down with the fever after being stranded in the middle of nowhere by a family that she had paid to take her and her grandfather to a friends farm outside the city. She was found laying by the side of the road by French nurses who took her and her grandfather to their hospital.
Mattie recovered and returned to Philadelphia to look for her mother. Instead, she saw people dying in the streets and carts full of the dead being taken to mass graves. Her mother was not at home and the shop had been ransacked. Food was in such short supply everyone ate very little.
You can feel the pain, sorrow, and determination on every page. Mattie's character evolves and grows up quickly. She kept going through it all never giving up or loosing faith that her mother was alive and would return to town.
The first frost of fall came with a huge celebration, marking the end of the yellow fever pandemic. Philadelphia's once hauntingly silent streets were packed with Philadelphians eager to return home. At the time, Philadelphia was the capital of the growing United States. When president Washington returned to the city, the last of the residents came home.
I enjoyed this quick historical read and highly recommend it to middle grades and up. It gives the reader a glimpse into the struggle of staying alive in a time when there were no treatments.
As always, happy reading! 📚 Show Less
Lexile
580L
User reviews
LibraryThing member London_StJ
Fever 1793 is an historical novel narrated by Matilda Cook, a fourteen-year-old girl, as she witnesses and experiences first-hand the disaster that is the 1793 outbreak of yellow fever in Philadelphia. The plot itself is gripping, and speaks greatly to the reader's emotions while maintaining an eye
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for historical detail and relevance. Each chapter begins with an excerpt from an 18th-century text that will help young readers put Mattie' life in context, and likewise increases their understanding of what makes her life so extraordinary. Fever 1793 treats everything from social classes, slavery, respectability, gender roles, occupation, education, and politics, to plain human decency and the strength of the individual spirit, and is sure to catch the imagination of a wide range of readers. Show Less
LibraryThing member shelf-employed
A riveting story of Philadelphia's yellow fever epidemic of 1793. Fever 1793 is a fictional account of the deadly epidemic that hit the new nation's capital in 1793. The story follows young Matilda Cook, the daughter of a coffee shop proprietress as her friend, her mother and her grandfather fall
Maddie learns self-sufficiency, self-determination, and compassion as she struggles to take care of family and strangers alike. Fever also tells the story of the generous and courageous work of the Free African Society and the Mayor's Committee - the only offical groups that remained in the city and functioned in an organized and effective manner.
The Appendix points out the historical facts included in Fever, as well as other important historical notes from the time period. George Washington left the city and traveled south, laying the cornerstone of the new capital in DC as the old capital boiled in chaos. Dolly Payne, the future wife of president James Madison, lost her first husband and a son in the epidemic.
I enjoyed the book, but preferred the non-fiction, Newbery Honor Book by Jim Murphy, An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793.
Fans of historical fiction and strong-willed female protagonists will enjoy this riveting story.
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ill. Maddie herself finally succumbs to illness as well. The chaos, panic and lawlessness of Philadelphia as the epidemic worsens is vividly portrayed through descriptions of mass graves, tolling death bells, death carts, and dreadful instances of bleedings.Maddie learns self-sufficiency, self-determination, and compassion as she struggles to take care of family and strangers alike. Fever also tells the story of the generous and courageous work of the Free African Society and the Mayor's Committee - the only offical groups that remained in the city and functioned in an organized and effective manner.
The Appendix points out the historical facts included in Fever, as well as other important historical notes from the time period. George Washington left the city and traveled south, laying the cornerstone of the new capital in DC as the old capital boiled in chaos. Dolly Payne, the future wife of president James Madison, lost her first husband and a son in the epidemic.
I enjoyed the book, but preferred the non-fiction, Newbery Honor Book by Jim Murphy, An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793.
Fans of historical fiction and strong-willed female protagonists will enjoy this riveting story.
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LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
A long, hot, humid summer led to one of the worst epidemics in America. The year was 1793, the ravaged city was, Philadelphia. In three months over five thousand people are dead, and it created a ghost town of the nation’s capitol. In Fever 1793 we relive those three months through the eyes of
Like everyone else at that time, Mattie and her family were unprepared for an epidemic of this nature. Nothing was known of the cause of Yellow Fever and people blamed the disease on many things never realizing that the fever was passed by mosquitoes, this fact wasn’t discovered until 1902. As we follow this small family’s experiences, we learn of how this disease transformed the city and those that lived in it. Some people stepped forward and were heroes, caring for the sick and trying to keep a steady flow of food coming into the city. Others, of a more baser nature, took this tragedy as an opportunity for looting and murder. Many fled the city in order to save themselves and their families.
Given the subject matter, I can’t say use the word enjoyable but, I did find it both engrossing and educational. As Mattie’s world turns upside down, we see a young girl discover how to rely on herself and help others. The book is quite short, and I wished the characters could have been more fully developed, but the author kept her story within the three plague months which didn’t give her a lot of room for additional material. Opening the pages of Fever 1793, was like opening a small time capsule on this event, the author painted a very real picture and I learned a great deal.
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fourteen year old Mattie Cook.Like everyone else at that time, Mattie and her family were unprepared for an epidemic of this nature. Nothing was known of the cause of Yellow Fever and people blamed the disease on many things never realizing that the fever was passed by mosquitoes, this fact wasn’t discovered until 1902. As we follow this small family’s experiences, we learn of how this disease transformed the city and those that lived in it. Some people stepped forward and were heroes, caring for the sick and trying to keep a steady flow of food coming into the city. Others, of a more baser nature, took this tragedy as an opportunity for looting and murder. Many fled the city in order to save themselves and their families.
Given the subject matter, I can’t say use the word enjoyable but, I did find it both engrossing and educational. As Mattie’s world turns upside down, we see a young girl discover how to rely on herself and help others. The book is quite short, and I wished the characters could have been more fully developed, but the author kept her story within the three plague months which didn’t give her a lot of room for additional material. Opening the pages of Fever 1793, was like opening a small time capsule on this event, the author painted a very real picture and I learned a great deal.
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LibraryThing member yourotherleft
Fever 1793 features Matilda Cook a 14 year old girl in Philadelphia in (you guessed it) 1793. Mattie's widowed mother owns and runs the Cook Coffeehouse where important men of the city come to talk politics and enjoy coffee and the fare prepared by Eliza, a free black and friend of the family. At
Mattie is an engaging narrator. It's easy to relate to her desire to leave behind the backbreaking work of the coffeehouse and enjoy her life. Halse Anderson does a fine job of portraying how Mattie changes during the epidemic and gains a new inner strength that she is able to draw upon to pick up her life once the epidemic has ended. Philadelphia in 1793 is realistically portrayed both in health and in sickness. Halse Anderson has obviously gone to great pains to maintain the historical accuracy of her story and succeeds admirably. Included at the end is a very interesting appendix that elaborates on the factual elements of the story. Fever 1793 is great historical novel about a girl transcending her very dire circumstances and finding out who she is in the process.
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the beginning, Mattie is a typical young girl - more eager to have fun and disobey her mother than to pull her weight at the coffeehouse. As summer is very slowly drawing to a close, disaster strikes as a deadly yellow fever epidemic sweeps the city. The city devolves into chaos and Mattie's life is torn asunder when her mother takes ill. The epidemic forces Mattie to grow up fast as she is left almost alone in a city that seems to be slowly dying. As the first frost comes, effectively ending the fever, and Mattie has still not heard from her mother, Mattie is forced to make some difficult decisions about her future and the future of the coffeehouse. Mattie is an engaging narrator. It's easy to relate to her desire to leave behind the backbreaking work of the coffeehouse and enjoy her life. Halse Anderson does a fine job of portraying how Mattie changes during the epidemic and gains a new inner strength that she is able to draw upon to pick up her life once the epidemic has ended. Philadelphia in 1793 is realistically portrayed both in health and in sickness. Halse Anderson has obviously gone to great pains to maintain the historical accuracy of her story and succeeds admirably. Included at the end is a very interesting appendix that elaborates on the factual elements of the story. Fever 1793 is great historical novel about a girl transcending her very dire circumstances and finding out who she is in the process.
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LibraryThing member porch_reader
Mattie Cook lives a typical life for a 16-year-old girl in post-Revolutionary War Philadelphia. She helps out at the coffee house run by her mother and grandfather, chafes when her mother is too controlling, and flirts with a painter’s apprentice at the market. But all of that changes when the
I found the historical details in this book to be fascinating. Throughout the Mattie’s story, we learn about the Yellow Fever itself, disagreements about the best way to treat it, the role played the Black residents of Philadelphia, the challenges faced by newspapermen in getting out the news despite paper shortages, and the significance of George Washington’s return to Philadelphia after the first frost. Perhaps because its target audience is middle graders, the plot was relatively simple and the characters were not complex. But I enjoyed it nonetheless. It is an excellent example of how a good story can make history come to life.
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Yellow Fever strikes Philadelphia in 1793. Mattie has to grow up fast and figure out how to survive with the threat of disease, the short supply of food, and the thieves that have taken over the streets. I found the historical details in this book to be fascinating. Throughout the Mattie’s story, we learn about the Yellow Fever itself, disagreements about the best way to treat it, the role played the Black residents of Philadelphia, the challenges faced by newspapermen in getting out the news despite paper shortages, and the significance of George Washington’s return to Philadelphia after the first frost. Perhaps because its target audience is middle graders, the plot was relatively simple and the characters were not complex. But I enjoyed it nonetheless. It is an excellent example of how a good story can make history come to life.
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LibraryThing member kewpie
In 1793, Philadelphia had a malaria outbreak that killed a large portion of the population and almost wiped out the town. We follow Mattie Cook’s journey into adulthood, surviving the fever and witnessing the horrors of malaria. The book is very graphic and vivid describing people dying and
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feverish. Anderson spared no details. This book also has historic information lost from most school textbooks. We learn about the roles of free African Americans in the beginning of our country. Show Less
LibraryThing member mom2lnb
Occasionally I enjoy reading books that are aimed more toward kids, because they can be just as good as adult books. Laurie Halse Anderson is an authors who’s been on my radar for some time, so I decided to start my journey through her books with Fever 1793. I love historical fiction, and this
The story is told from the viewpoint of Mattie, a fourteen year old girl who helps her widowed mother run a coffee house, something that was all the rage at the time (and apparently still is :-)). She’s a very smart, independent young lady, but one who’s perhaps a tad lazy as the story opens. She has grand dreams of expanding the coffee house to include a store and of traveling to Paris to bring back all sorts of fripperies to sell, but at the same time, she rather dislikes the day-to-day grind of running the family business. That all changes when the epidemic hits. Within a few months time, Mattie grows and changes as she deals with the fallout of this brutal disease. She must leave her sick mother behind in an effort to flee the plague and eventually loses someone very close to her. When she returns, not knowing what became of her mother, she must grow up almost overnight to take charge of several different situations, but she manages to handle them all with strength and dignity. I have to give the author kudos for writing a strong female protagonist. Mattie was a very admirable heroine, who is a great role model for young girls.
Fever 1793 is a wonderful book for all kids, middle grade and up, although because of it’s female lead, it will probably appeal more to girls. The effects of the yellow fever can be pretty brutal (obviously a lot of people lost their lives, and some people were so scared by it, they even left loved ones in the streets to die) and the author doesn’t gloss any of this over. However, I certainly didn’t find anything to be overly shocking or in any way inappropriate for the age group (ages 10 and up according to the back cover) at which it’s aimed. Some younger, sensitive readers might be bothered by these things, but otherwise, there wasn’t any objectionable content, and IMO, the history lesson far outweighs any potential downside. Ms. Anderson even includes an appendix of fascinating historical facts at the very end of the book, and the quotes from persons who experienced this tragedy first-hand that begin each chapter were quite interesting. I also enjoyed the touch of romance between Mattie and Nathaniel. In addition to the strong female lead, I have to give the author credit for including several free African American characters and for highlighting their incredible and selfless contributions in the effort to fight this terrible disease. Overall, Fever 1793 was a really good story. The only reason I dropped a half-star is because it took me just a little while to connect with the characters and the narrative, but once the epidemic hit, I was very engaged. I highly recommend the book for kids middle grade or older who enjoy historical fiction. It was my first read by Laurie Halse Anderson, and after this wonderful book, I’m definitely looking forward to checking out more of her work.
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one gives a fictional account of the yellow fever epidemic that hit Philadelphia in late 1793, killing over five thousand people. I’ve heard of a number of epidemics throughout history, but I’m not sure that I’d ever read anything about this specific one. It was made all the more interesting, because the United States was just coming off the Revolutionary War at the time and was still a fledgling country, whose capitol was then Philadelphia. Many of the patriots and founding fathers, including President Washington, left the city for safer areas. Those who stayed behind were obviously hit the hardest, and there were many people who IMHO were heroes for doctoring and nursing the sick, some of them coming down with the disease and dying themselves. It was a rather bleak chapter in our history as a nation but one that I found very interesting.The story is told from the viewpoint of Mattie, a fourteen year old girl who helps her widowed mother run a coffee house, something that was all the rage at the time (and apparently still is :-)). She’s a very smart, independent young lady, but one who’s perhaps a tad lazy as the story opens. She has grand dreams of expanding the coffee house to include a store and of traveling to Paris to bring back all sorts of fripperies to sell, but at the same time, she rather dislikes the day-to-day grind of running the family business. That all changes when the epidemic hits. Within a few months time, Mattie grows and changes as she deals with the fallout of this brutal disease. She must leave her sick mother behind in an effort to flee the plague and eventually loses someone very close to her. When she returns, not knowing what became of her mother, she must grow up almost overnight to take charge of several different situations, but she manages to handle them all with strength and dignity. I have to give the author kudos for writing a strong female protagonist. Mattie was a very admirable heroine, who is a great role model for young girls.
Fever 1793 is a wonderful book for all kids, middle grade and up, although because of it’s female lead, it will probably appeal more to girls. The effects of the yellow fever can be pretty brutal (obviously a lot of people lost their lives, and some people were so scared by it, they even left loved ones in the streets to die) and the author doesn’t gloss any of this over. However, I certainly didn’t find anything to be overly shocking or in any way inappropriate for the age group (ages 10 and up according to the back cover) at which it’s aimed. Some younger, sensitive readers might be bothered by these things, but otherwise, there wasn’t any objectionable content, and IMO, the history lesson far outweighs any potential downside. Ms. Anderson even includes an appendix of fascinating historical facts at the very end of the book, and the quotes from persons who experienced this tragedy first-hand that begin each chapter were quite interesting. I also enjoyed the touch of romance between Mattie and Nathaniel. In addition to the strong female lead, I have to give the author credit for including several free African American characters and for highlighting their incredible and selfless contributions in the effort to fight this terrible disease. Overall, Fever 1793 was a really good story. The only reason I dropped a half-star is because it took me just a little while to connect with the characters and the narrative, but once the epidemic hit, I was very engaged. I highly recommend the book for kids middle grade or older who enjoy historical fiction. It was my first read by Laurie Halse Anderson, and after this wonderful book, I’m definitely looking forward to checking out more of her work.
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LibraryThing member Whisper1
This young adult book, like so many others in this genre, focuses on very compelling and difficult events.
Yellow Fever is a historical fiction book that describes the epidemic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which killed roughly 10% of the population during the sweltering summer of 1793.
Young
One of the fascinating parts of the book is the description of The Free African Society (I had never heard of this group prior to reading the book) who heroically nursed both white and black fever victims and cared for the children of the parents who died as a result of the outbreak.
The main character finds inner strength, courage and stamina . This coming of age book is well worth the read.
Yellow Fever is a historical fiction book that describes the epidemic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which killed roughly 10% of the population during the sweltering summer of 1793.
Young
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Matilda's father died before the fever outbreak, leaving her small family to fend for themselves by running a coffeehouse. As more people are striken and die, Matilda and her grandfather flee to the countryside, leaving behind their business and possessions, where they find both the generosity and of the cruelty of those who survived.One of the fascinating parts of the book is the description of The Free African Society (I had never heard of this group prior to reading the book) who heroically nursed both white and black fever victims and cared for the children of the parents who died as a result of the outbreak.
The main character finds inner strength, courage and stamina . This coming of age book is well worth the read.
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LibraryThing member TadAD
This is an engaging young novel about the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia. It's also a coming of age story for Matilda Cook as events force her to grow up, learn self-reliance and care for those around her. Ms. Anderson has given us a very human story as well as an interesting picture of
A twentieth century education allows us to look with horror on the American medical practices of the day, the bleeding which killed many that the fever did not, the heavy-metal poisoning from taking mercury. It also allows us to feel a bit of irony as the characters swat at the occasional 'annoying' mosquito, while they worry that the miasma that permeates the air and woodwork will bring on the disease.
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life during a terrible moment in our history. She does not overly sugar coat the story, showing the selfishness and brutality brought out in some people, along with the compassion others displayed.A twentieth century education allows us to look with horror on the American medical practices of the day, the bleeding which killed many that the fever did not, the heavy-metal poisoning from taking mercury. It also allows us to feel a bit of irony as the characters swat at the occasional 'annoying' mosquito, while they worry that the miasma that permeates the air and woodwork will bring on the disease.
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LibraryThing member cbl_tn
During the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia, 14-year-old Mattie Cook and her mother become separated. Mattie must grow up quickly if she is to survive disease and the shortage of food in the city.
While Mattie and her family are fictional, the story of her survival is filled with
While Mattie and her family are fictional, the story of her survival is filled with
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historical characters like Dr. Benjamin Rush, painter Charles Willson Peale, and my favorite Philadelphian, financier and philanthropist Stephen Girard. (My family benefited directly from Stephen Girard's legacy. After my grandfather lost his father at age 5, he was eventually admitted to Girard College, a boarding school founded by Girard for the education of fatherless boys.) Historical details about the yellow fever epidemic support the plot without dominating it. Mattie's attitude and behavior may occasionally seem too modern for her time, but they probably make her more of a kindred spirit for today's young readers. Recommended for readers of all ages who enjoy historical fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member YAbookfest
Mattie Cook, 14, is not exactly eager to help her widowed mother in the family coffee shop. It's much too hot and she would rather be chatting with Nathaniel Benson, the painter's assistant who works nearby. But Mattie's life changes dramatically when Yellow Fever strikes Philadelphia, killing
This is an excellent novel for middle school students studying early America. Mattie is a strong, well-developed character who will be admired by boys as well as girls. The plot is gripping, the historical information vivid and the writing style exceptional.
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their serving girl Polly, and thousands of others. The illness devastates the city and social order breaks down. In Mattie's fight for survival, she is transformed into a young woman who is compassionate, hard-working, capable and determined. This is an excellent novel for middle school students studying early America. Mattie is a strong, well-developed character who will be admired by boys as well as girls. The plot is gripping, the historical information vivid and the writing style exceptional.
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LibraryThing member StephBecker
The book Fever 1793 reflects on the Yellow Fever epidemic that killed many people. Each chapter is organized by date like a diary. The main character must be strong for her family after many of the people in her life pass away. The story is fun to read and has a nice ending.
LibraryThing member ReZo1001
The book was very good and unlike any other book that I have read before. The balance of action and drama was perfect.
LibraryThing member 11HilKr
It's summer 1793 and it's hotter then you'd think possible. Mattie Cook lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with her grandfather and widowed mother over the coffee shop that they own ans run. They start to hear of sickness in the city and disregard it. I must just be the routine fevers that happen
I loved this book so much. It was wonderful. I felt like Mattie really matured from the beginning to the end and I thought she was a great character. I found myself staying up way later then I should have just because I couldn't put it down! If you liked Speak and Catalyst, then you'll love this book. I would recommend it to anyone...it was that good.
This book is based on a real epidemic of yellow fever that occurred in the summer of 1973. This book has been on my to read list ans I've had it since December 2007 and I feel really stupid for not reading it before. I knew it was going to be great, Laurie Halse Anderson wrote it, how could it not be? I really think that if you haven't read it then you should...like now.
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every summer, right? Wrong. When disease comes to the city, Mattie and her family try to stay healthy. Soon, everyone's talking about the yellow fever. The Cooks don't believe it. They continue as usual and continue running their coffee shop. Then it becomes an epidemic. When one of them actually gets yellow fever, they try to escape. What will happen to the Cook family? Will they ever be reunited?I loved this book so much. It was wonderful. I felt like Mattie really matured from the beginning to the end and I thought she was a great character. I found myself staying up way later then I should have just because I couldn't put it down! If you liked Speak and Catalyst, then you'll love this book. I would recommend it to anyone...it was that good.
This book is based on a real epidemic of yellow fever that occurred in the summer of 1973. This book has been on my to read list ans I've had it since December 2007 and I feel really stupid for not reading it before. I knew it was going to be great, Laurie Halse Anderson wrote it, how could it not be? I really think that if you haven't read it then you should...like now.
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LibraryThing member thornton37814
This is an excellent piece of historical fiction about the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia. The narrator is an early teenage girl named Matilda whose family operates a coffeehouse. When the fever hits, many persons begin fleeing the town. Readers will empathize with Matilda as she encounters
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the attitudes toward fever victims and the treatments, may of which were ineffective, that were used. The author does a good job of bringing the historical elements to life. She explained that Philadelphia was the largest city in the United States at the time and brought the death toll to life for readers when she explained how many were expected to die early in the book. I suspect that the book will be enjoyed by some younger readers and not by others, but this book would be a great springboard for discussion in classes of the epidemic, medical treatments, etc. Show Less
LibraryThing member kkkoob
Gripping, if somewhat overwrought, story of a teen doing her best to survive during the yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia in August and September of 1973. Well researched with excellent characterization.
LibraryThing member cmurph1
As Mattie Cook deals with the tragic effects of yellow fever in Philadelphia from August to December 1793, we gain great insight into the historical time period and how the colonists coped with this devastating epidemic. While the author sometimes creates contrived events to get Mattie through
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difficult situations, the story as a whole is solid and informative. This would be a great addition to the science and history curricula in middle schools. Show Less
LibraryThing member hpluver07
Fever 1793 is definitely a book for those that are love history. But those who don't necessarily like history, this could be a good book as well. It has many elements that many readers just love!
LibraryThing member dinomiteL12
I read this book in, like fourth grade, but I stil remember the horror that I felt as I read about all the deaths of family and friends the main characters faced. This book tells about the epidemic of 1793 in simple words that anyone can understand.
LibraryThing member r13
Suppports the middles school social studies curriculum as well as being appropriate for english classes. Great for content area reading and writting.
LibraryThing member craigwsmithtoo
The story takes place in Philadelphia just after the Revolutionary War. Mattie lives with her mom who runs a tavern. Yellow fever broke out in Philadelphia in 1793, and this story takes tyou through the epidemic through the jaundice eyes of a fourteen-year-old girl.
The story has many exciting parts
The story has many exciting parts
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as the girl deals with the death many people in her life. It seems even more interesting when the author mentions places of interest in and around the Philadelphia area. It's hard to believe that it all happened here. Show Less
LibraryThing member Omrythea
Fourteen year old Mattie Cook lives with her mother and grandfather and works hard to help run the family business, a coffeehouse in Philadelphia. As more and more people in the town die of yellow fever, Mattie must be strong in many ways to try to survive.
LibraryThing member JRlibrary
Mattie Cook lives with her mother and grandfather above a coffee house run by her motehr. When a yellow fever epidemic breaks out in the town of Philedelphia, Mattie must make several decisions, and must learn how to survive in a city turned frantic. This book has lots of action and suspense but
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you'd have to be interested in this time period to really like the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member sara_k
Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Fever 1793 also wrote Speak and Catalyst both beautiful, strong books about stresses (rape and academic success) that affect many teens. I recommend them to mature 6-12th graders.
Fever 1793 is about the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia in 1793. Mattie Cook
Fever 1793 is about the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia in 1793. Mattie Cook
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lives with her mother and grandfather above the coffeehouse they own. Her life is ordered around the coffeehouse and the chores there but her mother plans for Mattie to marry well and wants her to behave in womanly demure ways. When people start dying from fevers the government first denies that there is any malaise and then all control falls off as the fevers spread throughout all the neighbourhoods of the city. Mattie's mother falls ill and send her out of the city but along the way Mattie and her grandfather fall ill, she with fever and he with a heart ailment. Mattie survives but her struggle to pull her family back together and to survive is fierce. Along the way MAttie starts to see beyond herself and to seek the things she values for other people. Show Less
LibraryThing member moiraisolde
I absolutely adore this book, if it was more complex and longer, it would be even better...but it is somewhat of a childs book.
Subjects
Awards
Nebraska Golden Sower Award (Honor — 2003)
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Middle Grade — 2004)
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (Honor — 2003)
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (Nominee — 2003)
Utah Beehive Book Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2003)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2002)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2002)
Cardinal Cup (Honor — 2001)
Nutmeg Book Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2003)
Great Lakes Great Books Award (Winner — 2003)
Iowa Teen Award (Nominee — 2004)
Mark Twain Readers Award (Nominee)
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (Nominee — 2005)
South Dakota Teen Choice Book Awards (Nominee — 2002)
California Young Reader Medal (Nominee — 2004)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — Middle School — 2003)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2003)
Isinglass Teen Read Award (Nominee — 2004)
Maud Hart Lovelace Award (Nominee — 2004)
South Carolina Book Awards (Nominee — Junior Book Award — 2003)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2001)
Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (Middle School — 2002)
Teacher Favorites Award (2001)
Idaho Battle of the Books (2023)
Call number
J4E.And