Fever 1793 by laurie halse anderson chapters before you read the chapter. The first yellow fever outbreaks in the united states occurred in late 1690s. This asset contains classroom discussion questions. The action takes place in the same high school as speak and features cameo appearances by some of its characters. Matilda lives with her mother and grandfather above the family coffeehouse.
Her title, speak, was named a 2000 printz honor book by the american library association and was a finalist for the 1999 national book award. Fever 1793, is a historical fiction book written by laurie halse anderson, which is based on an epidemic, known as yellow fever that had taken place in philadelphia during 1793, killing a few thousand individuals. But fourteenyearold mattie cook doesnt get a moment to mourn the passing of her childhood playmate. A picture book, ndito runs, was a 1996 pick of the lists from the american booksellers association. What does matilda cook look like in the book fever. Also great job relating to the characters in the book, it always makes the book that much more interesting when you can relate to it despite the fact that it takes place in 1793. 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. 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. On august 19, 1793, the first fatality of yellow fever, peter aston, became a topic of general conversation according to mathew carey, irishborn american publisher and first hand witness. In 1793, philadelphia, pennsylvania, then the nations capital, experienced the first major outbreak of yellow fever in the united states. In the year 1793, yellow fever was a dreaded disease. It is a historical novel about a 14 year old girl, matilda, trying to survive an outbreak of yellow fever. The yellow fever outbreak began in the beginning of august 1793, and the more individuals became sick and deceased, the more philadelphia citizens became frightened and fled the city. An epidemic of yellow fever, which struck the city in august of 1793 and lasts almost till december, changes matties life once and for all.
Based on the information given thus far, what social class do you think matties family is from. Her family runs a coffee shop in downtown philadelphia called cook coffeehouse. During the summer of 1793, mattie cook lives above tan epidemic of fever sweeps through the streets of 1793 philadelphia in this novel from laurie halse anderson where the plot rages like the epidemic. An epidemic of fever sweeps through the streets of 1793 philadelphia in this novel from laurie halse anderson where the plot rages like the epidemic itself. The main character of fever 1793 is fourteenyearold matilda mattie cook, who is about to embark on a. Laurie finished fever 1793 and it was published in 2000. Examine this map showing the deaths from yellow fever in philadelphia in 1793. During the summer of 1793, mattie cook lives above tan epidemic of fever sweeps through the streets of 1793 philadelphia in this novel from laurie halse. Since 1993, laurie had been rewriting fever 1793, originally titled bitter drops. Mattie is, for the most part, just a normal teenager. Historical figures involved with yellow fever in 1793. Readers will be drawn in by the characters and will. Fever 1793 extension activity during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in philadelphia, sixteenyearold matilda cook gains new strengths. She wants to turn the cook coffeehouse into the finest business in philadelphia, the capital of the new united states.
Praise for fever 1793 the plot rages like the epidemic itself. Fever 1793 fever 1793 was written by laurie halse anderson, and first published in 2000. Matilda butts heads with her demanding mother and dreams of becoming an independent young woman who travels and owns her own businesses. The fever 1793 community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. Fourteenyearold mattie cook is ambitious, adventurous, and sick to death of listening to her mother. Fever 1793 brought anderson the american library association best book for young readers award and the teachers choice award from the international reading association. Matilda mattie cook is a fourteenyearold girl living above a coffeehouse in philadelphia with her mother, grandfather a former military.
During the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in philadelphia, sixteenyearold matilda learns to cope with the loss of. The fever 1793 quotes below are all either spoken by matilda mattie cook or refer to matilda mattie cook. Why might anderson have chosen this primary source excerpt to open her novel. Yellow fever, or american plague as it was known at the time. Character descriptions and analysis fever 1793 health. Its an extreme scenario, and in order to respond to it, matilda has to grow up very, very quickly due to her situations and growing up becomes a matter of life and death. During the summer of 1793, mattie cook lives above the family coffee shop. We get to know a lot about mattie cook in these two first chapters. She likes to daydream and sleep in, but is very determined and hardworking when she puts her mind to it. Fourteenyearold mattie cook has just lost her childhood. The story fever 1793 takes place in historic philadelphia in the year 1793. George washington 17321799 in 1793 george washington was the first president of the united states. One of those people affected by the fever is mattie cook. Fever 1793 begins with good historical information for the reader who may not be aware of the situation in philadelphia.
This combined with the dry, hot summer and low water tables of 1793 created the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes and the spread of yellow fever. There are more true historical facts in the book than what are in this video though, so dont use this as your. Also, the symptoms were so severe that being diagnosed with yellow fever was considered a death sentence. Find books like fever 1793 from the worlds largest community of readers. Inspired by the yellow fever epidemic that struck and killed almost 5,000 people in philadelphia in the late summer months of. This became lauries third novel on the new york times bestseller list. The question and answer section for fever 1793 is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this section.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The protagonist in most novels features the main character or good guy. In 2002, after the publication of fever 1793, catalyst was published by penguin under the viking imprint. During the summer of 1793, mattie cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Jun 04, 20 this video contains a short summary of the book and the true history of the events. Book summary during the summer of 1793, mattie cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather.
For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one. Fever 1793 book by laurie halse anderson official publisher. Fever 1793 by laurie halse anderson about the book august 1793. 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. The epidemic literally decimated the population of the city, killing 10% of its people. Now they include polly, the serving girl at the cook coffeehouse. Matilda cook is fourteen years old in the fall of 1793. Laurie halse anderson s fever, 1793 is a novel about a fourteenyearold girl named matilda mattie cook who comes of age during the infamous yellow fever epidemic in philadelphia in 1793. 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. Based on the descriptions thus far in the novel, how would you characterize peoples living conditions and hygiene in 1793. In the novel, fever 1793, one element of the setting that the author incorporated, that was true, was that the yellow fever was spreading in philadelphia both in the book, and in real life. Fever, 1793 summary 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. Its late summer 1793, and the streets of philadelphia are abuzz with.
This test is designed to test your knowldege about the book fever 1793. Things go well running the coffeehouse until fever breaks out in philadelphia. At the end of each days reading, type a onetwo sentence summary of what we read on the home page of your site. Jasmin ruiz 16 year old mattie cook lives with hard working mother lucille, former captain grandfather and freed slave eliza who serves as there cook. Get an answer for what are some historical facts mentioned in fever 1793.
Fever 1793 is based on the actual yellow fever epidemic that hit philadelphia and wiped out some five thousand people. Down near the docks, many have taken ill, and the fatalities are mounting. During the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 in philadelphia, 5,000 or more people were listed in the official register of deaths between august 1 and november 9. Its late summer 1793, and the streets of philadelphia are abuzz with mosquitoes and rumors of fever. Print a copy of the fever 1793 literature circle questions printable for each student. This is a story about matildas transformation from a careless child to a responsible, strongwilled, and kindhearted young woman. Fever 1793 is a historical fiction book for young adults. Edwards award for her contribution to young adult literature, and fever 1793 is an american library association best book for young adults and a new york public library best book for teens. The character of matilda mattie cook in fever 1793 from. Aug 16, 2011 its late summer 1793, and the streets of philadelphia are abuzz with mosquitoes and rumors of fever.
The opening scene of andersons ambitious novel about the yellow fever epidemic that ravaged philadelphia in the late 18th century shows a hint of the gallows. Around 17,000 of the citys 45,000 population left for the countryside, while an estimated 5,000 died as a result of the virus, which peaked in early october. Mattie, being the main character and narrator in the book, wants to turn the coffeehouse into the finest in philadelphia. Samuel breck was a philadelphia merchant newly arrived to the city. I had scarcely become settled in philadelphia when in july, 1793, the yellow fever broke out, and, spreading rapidly in august, obliged all the citizens who could remove to seek safety in the country. Mattie and her mother travel to the ogilvies expensive and large home where they are greeted by mrs. Matilda will be coming of age during a crisis situation the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. In the middle of the book, the story becomes more melodramatic as it focuses on the main character as she tries desperately to find her mother and a place for her grandfather and her as the fever engulfs the city.
We begin on august 16, 1793, during a stifling hot philadelphia. This novel takes place during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 in philadelphia, an actual historical event. Eliza, a free black woman, is the coffeehouse cook. Laurie halse andersons fever, 1793 is a novel about a fourteenyearold girl named matilda mattie cook who comes of age during the infamous yellow fever epidemic in philadelphia in 1793. Apr 09, 2009 the cooking untensils are a good symbol of these first two chapters. Fever 1793 begins in august 1793, with 14yearold matilda cook awakening to a typical day. As we summarize andersons book, well highlight some of the important characters. She has written numerous books for children including turkey pox, no time for mothers day, fever 1793, speak, catalyst, independent dames. She lives in philadelphia and has no additional siblings. What you never knew about the women and girls of the american revolution, chains and the impossible knife of memory. Name three things you want to learn about the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. As the sun blazes relentlessly down on the bustling city, matilda grudgingly helps her mother and eliza, the cook, serve at their coffee house.
January book report a historical fiction novel for teens written by laurie halse anderson and steve scott. It caused epidemics before all around the world, especially in places where people had little or no immunity. Fever 1793 is a work of historical fiction by laurie halse anderson concerning a widespread illness known as yellow fever spread by infected mosquitoes that many people in philadelphia. One reason for this fear was that nobody knew where the disease originated. Author laurie halse anderson writes about such a time in fever, 1793. This novel is about the yellow fever epidemic that engulfed philadelphia in 1793. Fever, 1793 is a novel by laurie halse anderson about a teenager who contracts the yellow fever during the epidemic in philadelphia in 1793. Laurie halse andersons fever, 1793 is a novel about a fourteenyearold girl. Matties mother and grandfather own a coffeehouse in philadelphia and that is where mattie spends most of her days.