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

Bibliographical citation: 

Murphy, Jim.  (2003).  An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. New York: Clarion Books.  165 pages.  ISBN: 9780395776087.

Awards: ALA's Notable Children's Books (2004), Best Fiction for Young Adults (2004), Boston Globe-Horn Book Award (2004), Newbery Honor (2004), Orbis Pictus Award (2004), Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal (2004), SLJ Best Books for Children (2003).

Author's website: http://www.jimmurphybooks.com/

Annotation: Jim Murphy's story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 helps readers to frankly understand the gruesome, frightening, and devastating impact this plague had upon the city of Philadelphia and how it forever changed its society, government, and medical community.

Personal Reaction: This title offers a riveting and alarming account of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 that struck the city of Philadelphia.  Jim Murphy describes in detail the panic and struggle of the city's inhabitants to try to avoid and survive this plague and spends a lot of time describing in detail the city's squalid conditions, the physical horrors of this disease, and in many cases, the botched medical treatment received by victims of this illness due to the lack of knowledge about the infection.  Also included in this account is a record of those individuals who remained behind and tried their best to help others and assume leadership in the city despite the excessive risk and danger of contracting this disease themselves simply by remaining. 

Since there was no understanding of how Yellow Fever was contracted, there were many ideas and rumors that the fever only affected those of certain religion or cultural background. Murphy explores the various opinions of why it is was believed that certain people were affected. He also examines the communities of people who throughout history were scapegoats that were blamed for the spread of this disease simply because they were refugees or immigrants.  Many believed that there was no way that "such a terrible killer could originate in their hometown" (Murphy, p. 126).  The last chapter in the book offers a comprehensive look at Yellow Fever throughout history and how it still remains a potential threat to us today.  Overall, this title offers an attention grabbing and thought provoking story of the epidemic that most definitely would engage its intended audience.

Front/Back Matter: Table of Contents, Map of the City of Philadelphia, Page from The Philadelphia Directory, Source Notes, Acknowledgements, Index.

 *Bibliographical citation information, award information, as well as image retrieved from www.bwibooks.com (Titletales)