Fever 1793

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson In August 1793, Philadelphia was the largest city in the very new United States of America.   Young Mattie Cook works in her family's coffeehouse and often tries to avoid the chores her strict mother asks of her.  Mattie soon realizes that she really does not have such a bad life because the city will soon be ravaged by a yellow fever epidemic.

The reader becomes Mattie as she faces challenges that she has never dreamed of.   Mattie's courage and strength are amazing, and it is impossible to put this book down!  Recommended by Rachel.

Book Nut's Mom notes that Jim Murphy has written a Newbery Honor winning book on this epidemic for readers who would like to learn more -- An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793.

For middle school science teachers looking for trade literature to use in their science classes, Fever 1793, is an excellent choice.   This book would work well in a unit on germs, disease, or epidemiology.  It also works well on a unit on pests or mosquitoes. The book makes an exceptionally strong choice with the non-fiction title by Jim Murphy available.  Throw in the history that student's learn and you have a winning unit.

Teacher's Guide to Fever 1793 Author created guide and discussion questions for Fever 1793. Literature Circle Guide for Fever 1793 Literature Circle guide to Fever 1793 in pdf format.  Requires Adobe Reader to view file. Webquest for Fever 1793 Modified Webquest 1793 Rebecca Caudill Award Winner 2003 Activities and lesson ideas for Fever 1793 Another Rebecca Caudill Award Site Links for Fever 1793 A great list of web site links pertaining to the events portrayed in Fever 1793. Book Talks for Fever 1793 Great book talks to introduce Fever 1793 to readers. A Historian Looks at Fever 1793 A historian looks at the accuracy of the events portrayed in Fever 1793. A Short Summary of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 Philadelphia museum presents a short history of the yellow fever epidemic. Discussion Questions and Author Information for Fever 1793 Linking Literature to Social Studies to Community Resources A paper of how one school district might use Fever 1793 to meet standards.  Includes a list of vocabulary words. Biography of Jim Murphy Author of An American Plague

You might like to compare and contrast Fever 1793 with Graveyard Girl by Anna Myers.   Graveyard Girl is set in Memphis during the 1878 yellow fever epidemic.  Fever 1793, An American Plague, and Graveyard Girl would make an interesting grouping for literature circles in a middle school history or science class.