An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 - - by Jim Murphy

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Murphy, Jim. 2003. An American plague: The true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0395776082.

PLOT SUMMARY
An American plague and the public’s differing responses, in time of need and suffering, are recounted in this look into 18^th century American history. From 1793 to the present, the yellow fever epidemic has changed history, both scientifically and politically. First hand accounts written in journals, letters, and newspapers are pulled together in to detail occurrences in Philadelphia from the August 1793 to January 1794.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Quotes, letters, notes, advertisements, maps and other memorabilia from 1973 are imbedded in this informational text. Illustrations and text sources cited, acknowledged and credited relay accuracy. Black and white illustrations add to the sense of the dated time period. In chapter two, the death of “thirty-three-year-old Catherine LeMaigre” is accompanied by the Federal Gazette printing of her death notice on the facing page. Newspapers such as the Federal Gazette, Philadelphia Daily Advertiser and National Gazette documented the daily and weekly events occurring during the yellow fever epidemic. A headstone epitaph included reads, Stay passenger see where I lie / As you are now so once was I / As I am now so You shall be / Prepare for Death and follow me. Reference aids include a map of 1793 Philadelphia; table of contents, index, and sources listed with explanations, divided into useful subheadings. Other reference aids include an Acknowledgements section listing sources of researched information and a note about the illustrations.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This book tells the story of the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia and its effect on the young nation. Students will become immersed in the dramatic narrative as they read how fear and panic spread throughout the country's capital.”

Review from VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES: “Every aspect of the epidemic is brought to life, from the overall living conditions in Philadelphia just prior to the outbreak to the Constitutional crisis that seemed imminent because of President Washington's inability to convene Congress in a plague-ridden city. The disease itself is covered from symptoms to cause, as are the eighteenth-century treatments for yellow fever: bleeding and isolation. Murphy ends with bringing the reader up to date on the state of this terrible disease, including the chilling revelation that there is still no cure for yellow fever. This book represents nonfiction at its best.”

Review from HORNBOOK GUIDE: “Murphy culls from a number of historical records the story of the yellow fever epidemic that swept Philadelphia, skillfully drawing out the fear and drama of the time and making them immediate to modern readers. Attentive to telling detail, Murphy offers representative images, from black-and-white portraits to plague scenes. Thoroughly documented, with an annotated source list, the work is both rigorous and inviting.”

AWARDS

School Library Journal Best Books of the Year 2003
American Library Association Notable Books for Children 2004
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award 2004
NCTE Orbis Pictus Award 2004
James Madison Book Award 2004

CONNECTIONS

Activities
*Share title with teachers. Integrate into the curriculum/thematic unit on politics, history, or historical scientific discoveries.
*Introduce and examine the usefulness of reference aids.
*Conduct a Readers Theatre production complete with costumes of the time period.
*For older students, use as a non-fiction book club selection.

Other informational texts on historical epidemics:

Grady, Denise. 2006. Deadly invaders: Virus outbreaks around the world, from Marburg fever to avian flu. ISBN 0753459957
Sherrow, Victoria. 2001. Polio epidemic: Crippling virus outbreak. ISBN 076601556