Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Despite the fact that this is actually a young adults' book I really enjoyed it. The story is about Mattie, a 14-year-old girl living in Philadelphia, 1793, during an outbreak of yellow fever. I had not heard of this epidemic before and was impressed by the amount of detail the author included in what amounts to a children’s book. At the end of the book she included an appendix, which answered questions readers might have about subjects and facts in the book – e.g. "Did the epidemic really happen?" or a description of 'coffeehouses'. I enjoyed this book so much I will read her other books Speak and Catalyst.

 

Finished on 22 February 2009