Our fall Social Justice Reading Club book selection is Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson.
“What did it feel like to die? Was it a peaceful sleep? Some thought it was full of either trumpet-blowing angels or angry devils. Perhaps I was already dead.” Laurie Halse Anderson, Fever 1793
"Fever 1793 is a young adult novel that tells the story of a 14-year-old girl named Mattie Cook, who fights to survive the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 in Philadelphia. The historical novel by Laurie Halse Anderson (b. 1961) depicts 1793 America through the eyes of Mattie, who, when the fever hits in late August, struggles to live in a city overtaken by fear. Demonstrating the ongoing alarm over unknown illnesses during this time, Fever 1793 provides a sense of the daily life of Philadelphians in the early national period. The novel demonstrates the historical significance of the epidemic, which took an estimated five thousand lives, and gives readers a glimpse of public health crises and medical treatments available in the eighteenth century." The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia
"Anderson...has fashioned a gripping story about living morally under the shadow of rampant death." — The New York Times
Ways to Read the Book:
If you are interested in participating, you can request a copy of the book from Terra Merkey or pick one up at the Yellow Fever Exhibition Kickoff on September 5th. For more information on other events, please check the National Library of Medicine Yellow Fever Exhibit Guide.
Book Discussion
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 3:00 p.m.
The Curriculum Center
Refreshments will be served.
PBS Guide. Africans in America. The Yellow Fever Epidemic
In this video, Laurie Halse Anderson offers an insightful background on her novel, Fever 1793, and explores the different translations, book covers, and editions.
In this video, Laurie Halse Anderson delves into the fascinating history and inspiration behind her novel, Fever 1793.
