Fever 1793

Laurie Halse Anderson's "Fever 1793" plunges readers into the harrowing reality of the yellow fever epidemic that ravaged Philadelphia in 1793. The story follows sixteen-year-old Matilda Cook, who is forced to grow up quickly when she is separated from her ailing mother and must navigate a city gripped by fear, disease, and death. This historical novel is a powerful exploration of resilience, self-reliance, and the human spirit's capacity to endure unimaginable hardship. It offers a vivid, unflinching look at a significant historical event through the eyes of a relatable young protagonist.

In 1793 Philadelphia, sixteen-year-old Matilda Cook, separated from her sick mother, learns about perseverance and self-reliance when she is forced to cope with the horrors of a yellow fever epidemic.