claudiaslibrarycard's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Fever 1793 is about Mattie Cook, a girl living in Philadelphia at the time of the yellow fever epidemic. Mattie lives above a coffee house with her widowed mother and her grandmother. When the yellow fever comes that summer, Mattie witnesses the privileged wealthy flee to the country but she is stuck behind. We follow the many challenges her family faces as a result of the epidemic, including illness and loss.
This story moves quickly, but with grace and appropriate attention to historical accuracy and character development. I think the author did a great job noting the racism and classism that was common at the time and part of the epidemic. It was believed that low class people and those of non European ancestry were vile and prone to infection. Germ theory was not yet established and other false beliefs are also called out. The author used historically accurate ways to challenge racism which I also loved.
For an epidemic story, this one has an uplifting ending. It is a reminder of how fortunate we are to have the advancements of science in our current lives, and a beautiful story of a young girl who faces significant struggle and comes out the other side.
This story moves quickly, but with grace and appropriate attention to historical accuracy and character development. I think the author did a great job noting the racism and classism that was common at the time and part of the epidemic. It was believed that low class people and those of non European ancestry were vile and prone to infection. Germ theory was not yet established and other false beliefs are also called out. The author used historically accurate ways to challenge racism which I also loved.
For an epidemic story, this one has an uplifting ending. It is a reminder of how fortunate we are to have the advancements of science in our current lives, and a beautiful story of a young girl who faces significant struggle and comes out the other side.
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
3.0
Finished reading: October 17th 2019
"Life was a battle, and Mother a tired and bitter captain. The captain I had to obey."
Spoiler
WARNING: unpopular opinion ahead!
I was browsing for possible titles that are set in the 18th century to read for the final era for the When Are You Reading? challenge when I saw this title pop up. I enjoyed her other title Wintergirls when I read it earlier this year and the historical setting and plot sounded fascinating, so I immediately knew I wanted to read this title. I'm not sure if this was the wrong book at the wrong time for me, or if it's just that I'm not that used to middle grade books in the first place... But the fact is that I couldn't help but feel a bit underwhelmed by this story. First things first, and I have to say that the historical setting is well developed and detailed when it comes to the facts of 18th century Philadelphia and the yellow fever outbreak. It shows that the author has investigated historical facts thoroughly and the descriptions feel realistic and help teach the readers more about yellow fever and the impact of the outbreak back then. I could also appreciate the explanation of what was based on historical facts and what might have been changed in the story. That said, I struggled to connect to the story. I'm not sure exactly why, but I think it has somewhat to do with the fact that I never felt a real connection with the main characters, making me feel mostly detached from everything that happened to the main characters. In short, while the historical aspect of Fever 1793 was brilliantly handled, the characters somehow ended up falling a bit flat for me... I seem to be in the minority though, so if you haven't tried this story yet and are intrigued by the blurb, you shouldn't hesitate to try your luck.
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
christiek's review against another edition
2.0
a poor first attempt at historical fiction. Very modern feeling characters.
audreybt's review against another edition
4.0
Plot Summary
Mattie Cook lives above her family's coffee shop with her mother and grandfather. During the summer of 1793, yellow fever breaks out in Philadelphia. Instead of spending her days avoiding chores, thinking of her friend Nathaniel Benson, and planning ways to make the coffee shop the best in Philadelphia, Mattie must learn how to survive in a city where disease is everywhere.
Critical Evaluation
School Library Journal's starred review of Fever 1793 declares that "readers will be drawn in by the characters and will emerge with a sharp and graphic picture of another world." Indeed, the story of Mattie's survival and maturation during one of the worst epidemics in American history is fascinating. Anderson succeeds in tying realistic descriptions of life in Colonial time with an interesting, well-written story. This book was selected as a Best Book for Young Adults by the ALA.
Mattie Cook lives above her family's coffee shop with her mother and grandfather. During the summer of 1793, yellow fever breaks out in Philadelphia. Instead of spending her days avoiding chores, thinking of her friend Nathaniel Benson, and planning ways to make the coffee shop the best in Philadelphia, Mattie must learn how to survive in a city where disease is everywhere.
Critical Evaluation
School Library Journal's starred review of Fever 1793 declares that "readers will be drawn in by the characters and will emerge with a sharp and graphic picture of another world." Indeed, the story of Mattie's survival and maturation during one of the worst epidemics in American history is fascinating. Anderson succeeds in tying realistic descriptions of life in Colonial time with an interesting, well-written story. This book was selected as a Best Book for Young Adults by the ALA.
mochavonbee's review against another edition
3.0
This is a well-written story about a serious epidemic caused by Yellow Fever in Philadelphia in 1793. It's an interesting and well-researched account of a piece of history I knew nothing about. The epidemic is experienced through the eyes of a young girl, Mattie, and we learn what happens to her, members of her family and household, friends and neighbours right across the social and cultural strata of the city.
ktcarlston's review against another edition
2.0
Neighborhood book club read - it was alright but it was just a little too trite for my taste.
dianaliliana's review against another edition
3.0
Ein sehr nettes Buch aber leider nicht mehr. Wer sich für die Geschichte Amerikas und für Epidemien interessiert kann es gerne lesen, es ist auch relativ harmlos, daher auch von jüngeren Schülern gut zu lesen.
Mattie lebt mit ihrer Mutter in Philadelphia, sie betreiben dort ein Kaffeehaus. Bis zu dem Tag an dem das Fieber Matties Mutter trifft. Bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt gibt es hauptsächlich Gerüchte über ein Fieber an den Docks, die etwas weiter von dem Kaffeehaus entfernt sind.
Mattie wird mit ihrem Großvater (dem einzigen lebenden Verwandten) aufs Land zu Bekannten geschickt. Leider kommt sie nie dort an, denn ihrem Großvater geht es auf der Fahrt nicht gut und sie werden mitten auf dem Weg quasi aus der Kutsche geworfen und nicht weiter gelassen.
Auch Mattie trifft das Fieber so ab der Mitte des Buches und wir erfahren wie es ihr bis zum Ende der Gelbfieber-Epidemie geht.
Als Kinderbuch vollkommen in Ordnung. Für ältere Leser fehlt hier etwas die Brisanz, denn Mattie passiert relativ wenig, obwohl in der Stadt irgendwann der Ausnahmezustand herrscht.
Am Anfang denkt man zwar, dass das noch übel werden kann, denn die Krankheitssymptome der Mutter werden recht detailliert bis zum Blutspucken beschrieben aber dass bleibt dann auch das einzige fiese Detail.
Mattie lebt mit ihrer Mutter in Philadelphia, sie betreiben dort ein Kaffeehaus. Bis zu dem Tag an dem das Fieber Matties Mutter trifft. Bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt gibt es hauptsächlich Gerüchte über ein Fieber an den Docks, die etwas weiter von dem Kaffeehaus entfernt sind.
Mattie wird mit ihrem Großvater (dem einzigen lebenden Verwandten) aufs Land zu Bekannten geschickt. Leider kommt sie nie dort an, denn ihrem Großvater geht es auf der Fahrt nicht gut und sie werden mitten auf dem Weg quasi aus der Kutsche geworfen und nicht weiter gelassen.
Auch Mattie trifft das Fieber so ab der Mitte des Buches und wir erfahren wie es ihr bis zum Ende der Gelbfieber-Epidemie geht.
Als Kinderbuch vollkommen in Ordnung. Für ältere Leser fehlt hier etwas die Brisanz, denn Mattie passiert relativ wenig, obwohl in der Stadt irgendwann der Ausnahmezustand herrscht.
Am Anfang denkt man zwar, dass das noch übel werden kann, denn die Krankheitssymptome der Mutter werden recht detailliert bis zum Blutspucken beschrieben aber dass bleibt dann auch das einzige fiese Detail.
sdew's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
somewheregirl7's review against another edition
3.0
Another general lit historical. I really loved Anderson's Wintergirls and ever since I've been reading her other work and trying to find the same resonance in it. I don't. I am not sure why that book stands out for me so much. The characters in this book are well drawn and distinct and Anderson's trademark vivid description is present. She does a good job of painting a picture of life in Philadelphia in 1793 at the height of the Yellow Fever epidemic. Some of the events do stretch the bonds of credulity however and the ending is very convenient and pat - a little too neatly rolled up to feel natural. Overall this isn't a bad historical, just not something I'd ever be tempted to pick up and read again.