Fever 1793

If you love fast-paced but interesting books, this is definitely for you! I enjoyed every single bit of it. Even my Grandma did so it's not only for young adults haha!
I learnt alot that I didn't know from this book. I never knew of this tragic plague that ran through Philidelphia in 1793. Or even what Yellow Fever actually was.
The characters were relatable and the story was very real.
Highly recommend this to everyone!

Fever 1794 was about the yellow fever out break in Philadelphia. Matilda "Mattie " Cook is a 14 year old girl with your average problems of a girl living in the sixteenth century... Such as her mother wanting to have her do the chores of the coffee house that her mother owns...but then people start dying. At first, everyone thinks that it's a summer gripe, and that it will pass..only it doesn't. It gets worse and pretty soon, everyone in Philadelphia have either fled for the country side for the fresh air..or they have succumbed to the deadly fever, yellow eyes and all. Mattie tries to Flee to the country with her grandfather, but they are left behind and she and her grandfather get sick. Mattie and her grandfather recover and Mattie tries to search for her mother. While searching, Mattie find Eliza, the free black woman who worked at the coffee house. With Eliza, Mattie helps people affected by the fever, and Mattie finds and orphaned little girl named Nell. The bond with Nell and Mattie was really sweet, and Mattie tried to be grown up at times but she still showed that she was young and vulnerable despite her brave face. There are some losses of people close to Mattie, and it is sad, but the story was really well worded and just fantastic. ms. Anderson never fails to disappoint!

Reader reviewed by lolmack323

Fever 1793 was in my opinion one of the best books ever!!!!! The story is about a girl named Mattie Cook who lives in Philadelphia, her mother owns the Cook Coffehouse and in the beginning life is getting along well, at least as well as it can with your mother constantly telling you what to do. Then the yellow fever strikes Philadelphia and life takes a turn for the worst. Who knew how quickly life could change in a few days? I like this story because there is so much suspense and its all about just trying to survive. There is just so much to this book adventure, tragedy, hope and tragedy.

Reader reviewed by Chantel

I read this book in 7th grade and Im now about to go to 10th grade and I still relate things to this book. Its one of my favorites.
I love the way it tells you so much about the illness, and lets you see how much it would hurt to lose all your family to it.
I love the way the book is written and though its been a long time. I think even though I have a much higher reading level I'd still love it.

Reader reviewed by MssJos

Matilda Cook, "Mattie", is just a normal teenage girl in 1793. Similar to teenage girls today, Mattie spends her time avoiding chores, disliking the boy her mother wants her to marry, and crushing on a boy no one approves of. Mattie spends the majority of her time working in her widowed mother's coffee shop and being teased by her grandfather. Mattie dreams of turning the small coffee shop into Philadelphia's finest establishment, but her dreams are put on hold when Yellow Fever breaks out affecting even those closest to her.

Mattie is instructed to flee the city with her grandfather until the epidemic has passed, but quickly finds that it's not going to be as easy as she thought. The fever rages across the land, seemingly following Mattie everywhere she turns. Struggling to stay alive and help those around her do the same, Mattie's journey leads her to an unlikely destination. A place where she may be able to make her dreams come true after all, sort of.

Just as with Speak, Catalyst, and Twisted, Laurie Halse Anderson does a wonderful job of depicting the voice of teenagers everywhere. Mattie is thrown in to situation after situation where she is forced to use every inch of strength she has. Not only that, but the historical fiction intertwined throughout makes this an educational read as well as an entertaining one.

Reader reviewed by mearley

Historical fiction isn't my favorite genre, but this was fairly enjoyable. Based on the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793, Anderson incorporates themes of family, class, and racism while accurately portraying life in the eighteenth century. The heroine, Mattie, fights the illness herself while trying to save her mother and grandfather.

Each chapter begins with a quote from actual accounts of the epidemic; this adds to the novel's feel of authenticity. The action moves pretty quickly, so readers won't feel dragged down by the subject of disease. Mattie is a likable, capable heroine who rises to the challenges set before her. Nathaniel, a minor character, provides a hint of romantic tension.

This is a departure from other works I've read by Anderson. I prefer her contemporary YA fiction, but students who are interested in history will enjoy this book.

Reprinted here with author's permission.

Reader reviewed by The Story Siren

This is one of my favorite books by Anderson. This is a historical fiction which I didn't think I would enjoy, but I ended up really liking it! You follow the story of Mattie Cook. Her family consisting of her mother and gradfather own a coffee house. Mattie thinks she could turn the coffee house into so much more, but she has much more to worry about when her mother gets sick. Then there is work about a Fever spreading through Philadelphia. The story covers Matti's struggles to survive and turn into the person she needs to be.

Reader reviewed by Grace

Mattie is just a normal teenage girl trying to find her place in life in the year of 1793. She works with her mother and grandfather in their coffee shop, and has to put off her mother's attempts to get her to find a wealthy young man to marry. But everything changes on day when the yellow fever strikes, and Mattie must stay strong for both her mother and grandfather and use her wits to stay alive.

This is the first book I've ever read by Laurie Halse Anderson, who is one of my favorite authors. She really makes this time period interesting, especially since history textbooks skip over this interesting but devasting time. This is an interesting for both kids and adults.

Reader reviewed by Zac

I liked this story a lot because it lets us all know what life was like way back then. The author adds some aspects that are sort of reflecting modern lives; but, altogether it was a thrilling look into the past.

A sudden outburst of a fatal disease sends one girl on a horrific ride after safety.

Reader reviewed by Springhair

Mattie Cook is convinced that nothing exciting could ever possibly happen to her. But her mind changes drastically when the a yellow fever epidemic hits her hometown. As people flee for the countryside all around her (including Matties mother), all Mattie can do is wonder: will she live long enough to see her family reunited?

An engaging historical read, this book is something you dont want to miss, especially if you enjoy historical fiction. I didnt even know about this epidemic until I read this book, and it killed nearly 10% of Philadelphias population! It is very well researched too, which makes it even funner to read. Dont pass this one up!