Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

fever-1793.jpgFever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Genre: Juvenile Historical Fiction

Published in 2000

Recommended Age Group: 12 and Up

Summary: Fever 1793 is about the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia that happened in the late summer of 1793. We follow the epidemic through Matilda Cook and her small group of family and friends. In the beginning of the book Matilda, her Mother, and her Grandfather ran a Coffee Shop. Matilda’s Mother is planning to get her married but Matilda already has her eye on Nathaniel Benson, a painter’s apprentice. They employed a cook, Eliza and a serving girl Polly. Matilda’s Mother got upset when Polly was late and made Matilda do all her chores which she was upset about until she learned that Polly had died mysteriously the night before. Rumors and gossip start to spread about a sickness and since they run the Coffee Shop Matilda and her family get to hear all about it. At first they don’t worry until they hear of more and more fever cases and of people leaving town to escape the fever. After the Mayor was certain it was Yellow Fever rules were set down and panic began. Matilda’s Mother got sick and Matilda and her Grandfather tried to leave town but the neighboring cities would not let them through.

After being stranded without food or water Matilda caught yellow fever and her Grandfather took her to a hospital of sorts to be treated. When they were released they went back to the Coffee Shop but Matilda’s Mother and Eliza were gone. Fearing the worst they shut themselves inside the house. That night thieves broke in and killed Matilda’s Grandfather but were scared away. Matilda wandered through the city alone and found a little girl named Nell with the body of her mother, a fever victim. She took the girl and found Eliza and together they took care of other sick and survived the fever. Nathaniel also survived the fever and he helped Matilda pick up the pieces from the Coffee Shop. All this time Matilda’s Mother was still missing and everyone began to worry that she died. She returned home in a huge gathering that followed President Washington back into town. They figured that if it was safe for him it was safe for everyone. The fever changed everyone greatly, some were better, some worse, but they were all different.

Personal Notes: Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres because I can learn while being entertained. One of the great things about this book is that in the back Anderson made a list of what was factual in the book and told more about each thing so the reader can separate the truth from the story. The story was very engaging and true to life. I enjoyed Matilda’s triumphs and growth through the book. I read the summary on Amazon before I bought the book and it didn’t do it justice. It’s a great read and a lot more fun than it sounds.

32 comments:

  1. I liked the book so much!! It is the best book I have ever read!!!!!! I hope you make a lot of better boooks. where ever you are I hope you are happy!!!!!! BYE

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  2. this was the best book i ever read

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  3. WOW that was the best book i ever read!!!!!

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  4. it made me cry when her grandfather died it just touched me for some reason and i hope you keep writing great books for me to read.

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  5. I thought this was a great book. Tis book is good for children for all ages. I have read this book about 5 times now. I read it over and over again because it is filled with excitement, sorrow, happiness and adventure. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. Excellent job Laurie Halse Anderson!

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  6. This book was ok.... nothing to write home about but it was good however i found it a little dry. I like more 20th century books rather than old ones but it does give you something to think about

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  7. omg!!!!! amazing....it was like the best books i have read soo far!!

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  8. [...] that happened in the late summer of 1793. We follow the epidemic through Matilda Cook ...http://bookwormburrow.wordpress.com/2008/01/16/150/Fever 1793Content description: Content is Clean/Family Safe: Subtitle: A booktalk from Ms. [...]

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  9. Well, personally I absolutely hated this book! (No offense to Laurie Anderson). It was an assignment, I had to read it because I was going to be graded on it and i was going to be given a quiz on the novel. I struggled trying to read the whole book. I just wanted to set it on fire! Haha that's how much I hated it. But that's just me, whatever. People have different perspectives. Or maybe Im just not interested in book from over 200 freaking years ago!!!!

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  10. woww!! i luv this book it is a very good book it made me cry a bit also but it was awesome!!!:)

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  11. it stunk i hated it i had to read it for school dont read it its all sad and junk its a book tht makes you feel bad! don't read it unless you like all sad and dopey stuff!

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  12. that was an amazing book....i loved it...is speak really that great of a book...i started reading it and it was boring how much more do i have to read till it gets interesting??



    =D

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  13. I loved this book it had such an amazing plot keep writing more great books Laurie =D

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  14. i love this book ! If you are thinking of reading it... READ IT!!!!!!!!!!

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  15. Well, i'm not gonna be a repeat like all the other people that commented this but i do have to say that this book was really great, i'm sorry but i have read more amazing books but this book is definantly in my top 5!! I strongly suggest evereone reads it! Its moving, happy and sad, fruitful and inviting. It really is a GREAT book!!=-D

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  16. READDD IT NOW READ IT NOW READ IT NOW ITS GOOD ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO SAID THEY HAD TO READ IT FOR SCHOOL ARE JUST FRUSTORATED BECAUSE THEY had TO SO JUST TAKE YOUR TIME AND READ IT WATCH YOULL FEEL LIKE YOUR A CHARICTOR READ IT GO A HEAD!

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  17. that was a great book, but i thought it was sad, im only 11

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  18. awsome boooookkkkkkkkkk

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  19. it is wrilly cool but sad too!! :D:P

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  20. this book was good but the thing about it was that it was over 200 years ago!!!!!!!!!
    but never mind that it was pretty cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  21. This book was very interesting. While reading it you can only imagine being one of the characters. I thought it was rather sad, but any kid should read this book. It teaches you about the past and what people long ago had to go throgh.

    My class just finished reading it, and now we have to do 3 projects on it. I'm not to fond of the projects, but it really was a great book. =) Hopefully I get around to reading Speak, and Twisted I hear they're both really great books. Nice work!

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  22. it was different from all the books i have read. i finished today. the book made me think. but i could not put it down. It's in my top 5. that is saying something. please do read it.

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  23. You Know It Was Published In 2000. . . So. . .Yes It Was About Something That Happened About 200 Years Ago, But Don't Judge It! It Was An Awesome Book!

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  24. Oh my gosh! Awesome book Laurie :)!! Our teacher is reading it in class ( still haven't finished it) but so far its AWESOME!!! I almost cried when the grandpa died, and it was HILARIOUS when the robbers were robbing their house and the fat one jumped out the window because he was scared xD! Mattie is so brave!It was so mean when the farmer just pushed them off the carriage or what ever. And it was gross when Mattie threw up blood when she fainted and when her mom threw up blood. Wow laurie i absolutely loved this book! ( so far ) :]

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  25. it never gets interesting

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  26. Im only 12 and I hate to read and this is one of the worst book I have ever read in my life. I don't recommend this book to anybody 15 and under.

    Oh and one more thing whoever LOVES to read...you guys are faggets! LOL

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  27. Im with #11 on this one!!!

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  28. I said some harsh words about Fever the book and im sorry. Its not as bad as i said it was but it still is not a great book...its a good book!

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  29. i didnt even read the book thats y im at thise site so i can get the summary for a test i have to take this week

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  30. It made me cry so much just reading 4 chapters after he died when it was hard for her not to cry
    :(

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  31. This was THE best book ever. So sorrowful, but so good. Read it in less than 4 hours. Just couldn't but the book down. I HIGHLY recommend it.

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