Matilda mattie cook is a fourteenyearold girl living above a coffeehouse in philadelphia with her mother, grandfather a former military man, a parrot named king george, and an orange cat named silas. Later in 1800, rush would sue william cobbet for libel for the amount of. Matilda cook, the protagonist, leaves her home in the city for the country after her. I finally started the book, by audio, on a recent road trip, and i couldnt stop. This novel is about the yellow fever epidemic that engulfed philadelphia in 1793. Comparison of matilda cook in fever 1793 essay example. During the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in philadelphia, 5,000 or more people were listed in the official register of deaths between august 1 and november 9.
Study 17 terms fever 1793 quote practice flashcards. See more ideas about yellow fever, historical fiction and philadelphia inquirer. And she experienced many deaths of her family and friends. When winter comes and cools the air the fevers anger will disappear. The book fictionalizes the historic epidemic while reflecting true events. In a mixed atmosphere of mistrust, fear, and caring, matilda learns to cope with the loss of business, friends, and family. This novel takes place during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 in philadelphia, an actual historical event. The vast majority of them died of yellow fever, making the epidemic in the city of 50,000 people one of the most severe in united states history. Encyclopedia of greater philadelphia fever 1793 novel. Fever 1793 is a standalone, youngreaders novel written by laurie halse anderson.
While in elementary school, she wrote her firstever book report on fever 1793 and the historic significance of the epidemic. Philadelphia was the capital of the newly formed united states at that time, and the events described take. Autograph letter signed, philadelphia, november 20, 1793, to mason. In his journal, he wrote about the thoughtful planning of philadelphias streets, the beautiful city churches, and the abundance of. Documents the yellow fever epidemic of 1793, a disease that ravaged philadelphia and led to the death of over 5,000 citizens. Laurie halse anderson began work on fever 1793 in 1993 after she came across an article in her local newspaper commemorating the epidemic that had devastated philadelphia two centuries before. Book design by steve scott the text for this book is set in adobe caslon. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Although it falls in the genre of historical fiction, this story is based on a very real event in history. I read this book with my daughter for her summer reading assignment. Laurie halse anderson is a new york times bestselling author known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity. The woman who saved thanksgiving was published in 2002. Edwards award for her contribution to young adult literature, and fever 1793 is an american library association best book for young. Then, on november 20, 1793, jefferson wrote to mason from philadelphia, to which he had just returned, stating that he would pay the draft on sight for the wine in question as well as the box of books he had had shipped home, as business had resumed in the city.
The book describes in graphic detail the symptoms, progress, and agonies of the disease, and how it destroys lives and families when philadelphia falls victim in 1793. But in august 1793, with the president, his cabinet and congress returning from summer recess, something more fearsome seemed to be happening. I love historical fiction and this book was very interesting in describing the 1793 yellow fever plague in philadelphia through the eyes of young 14 year old mattie cook. Transcript from an interview with laurie halse anderson. Fever 1793 by laurie halse anderson, lori earley, paperback. During the summer of 1793, mattie cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Instant downloads of all 1291 litchart pdfs including fever 1793. Yellow fever stalks the founders american heritage. Rowley is the first medical professional though hes not actually a doctor that treats matildas mother. A book written by laurie halse anderson about the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. Set during philadelphias yellow fever outbreak, fever 1793 is a young adult, historical fiction novel written by laurie halse anderson and first published in 2000. In the novel fever, 1793, philadelphia is struck by yellow fever, and many are killed because of the sickness.
In the laurie halse andersons suspenseful novel, fever. This became lauries third novel on the new york times bestseller list. Name three things you want to learn about the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. Cite another passage from chapter 1 that shows what a bustling city philadelphia was in the mid1700s. Mattie cook lives with her mother and grandfather above the familys coffee shop when the historic 1793 yellow fever epidemic hits philadelphia. In 2000, andersons fever 1793, a historical fiction novel set in philadelphia during the yellow fever epidemic, was published by simon and schuster. Teach your students to analyze literature like litcharts does. That book was so riveting and informational that i immediately wanted to read more of andersons writing. Why did laurie halse anderson wrote fever 1793 answers. Printz honor book, and an ala best book for young adults, as well as several picture books, she lives in. Laurie finished fever 1793 and it was published in 2000. Rush recorded his thoughts an account of the bilious remitting yellow fever, as it appeared in the city of philadelphia, in the year 1793.
Fever 1793 discussion guide during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in philadelphia, sixteenyearold matilda cook gains new strengths. Id seen fever 1793 recommended several places and when i saw that laurie halse anderson wrote it, i was excited and even more anxious to read it. They then recover with the help of matilda and eliza. The true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 is a young adult nonfiction title that draws on firsthand accounts and explores the fevers historical context, sharing fever 1793 s emphasis on the lifesaving efforts of the free africans. I actually got it to draft eight and it was still pretty bad so i put it down, took that year and wrote speak. If you are the publisher or author of this book and feel that the. The acclaimed author of speak, which was a national book award finalist, an ala michael l. This means that over the course of fever, 1793 shes going to be coming of age, searching for her identity. Examine this map showing the deaths from yellow fever in philadelphia in 1793. Fever 1793 is a wonderful book about a young foolish girl turning into a mature and hardworking young lady. Title of a book, article or other published item this will display to the public. See more ideas about yellow fever and middle school novels. Published in 2000, fever 1793 is a young adult novel that tells the story of a 14yearold girl named mattie cook, who fights to survive the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 in philadelphia. Manufactured in the united states of america 26 28 30 29 27 the library of congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows.
After matties mother becomes ill, grandfather takes mattie to the countryside to stay with friends. So fever 1793 was really an apprentice work for me. She lives with her mother and paternal grandfather. Fever 1793 discussion questions laurie halse anderson this study guide consists of approximately 50 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of fever 1793. The closest ive ever gotten to yellow fever was getting vaccinated against it prior to travel. Although writing is done in solitude, it was my good fortune to work with and be supported by a wonderful group of people as i researched and wrote this book. What do you think was a possible effect of the yellow fever epidemic on the people of philadelphia. If interested, you can learn more about the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 by clicking here. Two of her books, chains and speak, were national book award finalists. What are some historical facts mentioned in fever 1793. The twins robert and william are elizas nephews and josephs sons chapter 22. A tale of the revolution, by avi, is another young adult historical novel.
Mattie spends her days avoiding chores and making plans to turn the. Winter, february 2005, from the original book owned by j. In class 1, students explore the effects of yellow fever in philadelphia in 1793, beginning with two african american authors who lived through and wrote about the event. Fourteenyearold matilda mattie cook is the teenage protagonist of a young adult novel. Flagg, helps her recover by making sure she is fed and drinks plenty of fluids. Most of the research for this book was done in their excellent collection of newspapers, diaries, letters, and account books written during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. It is amazing how a girl like mattie can survive a major fever. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on litcharts.
In the historical novel fever 1793, the protagonist mattie witnesses an epidemic of yellow fever in philadelphia. In 1793 philadelphia, sixteenyearold matilda cook, separated. What part of philadelphia seemed to be most effected by yellow fever. The epidemic literally decimated the population of the city, killing 10% of its people. The story fever 1793 takes place in philadelphia during the postrevolutionary war years. The true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. William winter 4 preface to the first edition philadelphia, nov. The story fever 1793 takes place in historic philadelphia in the year 1793. A malignant fever has broken out in water street, wrote benjamin rush, the leading doctor in the city, to his wife julia, who was off with their children in new jersey. What type of business does matties family own in fever 1793. William cobbett was the primary political enemy of rush going so far as to calling him a quack, a murderer, and mentally unstable according to jim murphy, author of american plague.
Since 1993, laurie had been rewriting fever 1793, originally titled bitter drops. Eliza, a free black woman, is the coffeehouse cook. Matildas grandfather is a solider, captain william farnsworth cook of the pennsylvania fifth regiment. In his journal, he wrote about the thoughtful planning of philadelphias streets, the beautiful city churches, and the abundance of food in the markets. Fever 1793 study guide from litcharts the creators of. This quizlet will help you to prepare for the quote identification part of the test. The reader skillfully portrays the plucky teenaged heroine of this historical novel about the yellow fever epidemic that beset philadelphia in the late 18th century. In a land they is free yellow fever struck in 1793. The favourable reception given to the imperfect account of the fever which i lately published, and the particular desire of some of my friends, have induced me to. It takes place in philadelphia with fictional characters in real settings. Thomas jefferson books wine 1793 autograph letter signed. During the summer of 1793, mattie cook lives above the family coffee shop.
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