Fever, 1793

Those who like historical fiction will enjoy Fever,1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. Set in the 1700's during the time of George Washington, it spins a story based around the epidemic of yellow fever that was running rampant in Philadelphia. This novel is written from the point of view of Mattie, a teenage girl who has to grow up quickly. As the fever spreads and touches her own neighborhood and family, she has to escape from the city. In her struggle to survive, she is transformed from a typical teen arguing with her mother to a young woman who faces tragedy and comes out stronger.

The historical element of this story makes it an interesting read. The appendix at the end of the book outlines some of the real events on which the book is based. As a history lover I appreciated the author's use of facts to create such a great book for children and young adults. I highly recommend it.

This book describes some events that might not be appropriate for very young readers. Discussions of death and disease may be too intense for readers under the age of 11-12.

Fever,1793 has been listed on American Library Associations Best Books for Young Adults and the Junior Library Guild.

Keywords associated with this book: yellow fever, epidemics, Philadelphia, early American history, adolescence, mother-daughter relationships, death, dying.