Helpful Score: 6
This is good historical fiction about the yellow fever plague that hit Philadelphia in 1793. It tells the story of Mattie and how the plague affected her, and what lessons she learned while getting through it.
I'd bought the book to give to my 11 year-old niece for Christmas, but then started reading it to see if it was appropriate for her, and I couldn't put it down.
I think it's good for the 10-14 year-old age range, although by 14, this may be a bit young. But sheesh, I'm well past 14 and found it intersting, so what does that say about me? :-)
I'd bought the book to give to my 11 year-old niece for Christmas, but then started reading it to see if it was appropriate for her, and I couldn't put it down.
I think it's good for the 10-14 year-old age range, although by 14, this may be a bit young. But sheesh, I'm well past 14 and found it intersting, so what does that say about me? :-)
Helpful Score: 4
Very well-written historical fiction. Poor Mattie had to grow up so fast, but I think her life is going to be better in the long run for it. I learned quite a bit about some American history that I didn't know much about (there's also a nice section in the end that discusses some of the historical aspects of the story).
Helpful Score: 4
I read this book after my daughter read it and told me how good it was. I enjoyed it very much; it was the first time I really grasped the history of the era and how many people suffered. I read a lot of young adult books to understand history better. They are well-written and easier to read than adult novels. This is one of my all time favorite young adult novels; it is great for all ages! I highly recommend it.
Helpful Score: 3
FEVER 1793 satisfies the desire for strong female protagonists in historical fiction, and establishes Laurie Halse Anderson as a supremely multitalented author. Mattie experiences problems that modern girls can relate to: the desire to escape the drudgery of being worked by her mom in the coffeehouse, financial independence. Many people swear by this book, but I think I might have read it a bit too late, for I felt the plot was a little choppyâwhat I believed would've been the climax happened early on in the book, and I spent the last two-thirds floundering and trying to get back on track. Nevertheless, the characters are well-developed, and there is enough excitement that this should appeal to young girls.
Helpful Score: 2
As an entomologist who often lectures on insects and their effect on history, I recommend this book to middle and high school teachers for their students.
This is an excellent historical novel about the year (1793) yellow fever struck Philadelphia, when that city was the capital of the United States.
It has both white and Afro-American characters in positive roles.
This book has received numerous awards, including:
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A Junior Library Guild Selection
New York Public Library's Best Books for the Teen Age
New York Public Library's 100 Books for Reading and
Sharing
An IRA Teacher's Choice
An ABA Pick of the Lists
This is an excellent historical novel about the year (1793) yellow fever struck Philadelphia, when that city was the capital of the United States.
It has both white and Afro-American characters in positive roles.
This book has received numerous awards, including:
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A Junior Library Guild Selection
New York Public Library's Best Books for the Teen Age
New York Public Library's 100 Books for Reading and
Sharing
An IRA Teacher's Choice
An ABA Pick of the Lists
