88 pages 2 hours read

Laurie Halse Anderson

Fever 1793

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2000

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson follows 14-year-old Matilda Cook as she navigates the challenges of the 1793 yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia, experiencing personal loss, growth, and transformation while caring for her family and community as they struggle with the epidemic. This novel deals with themes of illness, death, and grief.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson has garnered widespread acclaim for its vivid portrayal of a historical epidemic, engaging narrative, and strong protagonist. Critics praise its historical accuracy and emotional depth though some note it could be too intense for younger readers. Overall, it is lauded for making history relatable and riveting.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Fever 1793?

Readers who enjoy historical fiction, particularly younger audiences aged 12 and up, would appreciate Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. Fans of Chains by the same author or Karen Hesse’s Out of the Dust will be captivated by this compelling story of survival during the Yellow Fever epidemic in 18th century Philadelphia.

RecommendedReading Age

10-14years

Lexile Level

580L

Book Details

Themes

Life/Time: Birth

Relationships: Family

Genre

Historical Fiction

Children's Literature

Education

Period

Colonial America

Topics

Education

History: World