American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780395776087)

Powerful and riveting, this Newbery Honor-winning narrative describes the illness known as yellow fever, the toll it took on the nation's capital--and the eventual triumph over the disease.

Long before Covid and the West Nile virus, yellow fever was a medical mystery that forced thousands in Philadelphia, the nation's temporary capital, to flee and brought the workings of the federal government to a virtual halt. A riveting account of this country's first large-scale medical epidemic, An American Plague is generously illustrated with archival prints and photographs and includes a bibliography, map, and index.

This is the story of how half the city's residents fled and half of those who remained died; neighboring towns, cities and states barricaded themselves; George Washington himself fled, setting off a constitutional crisis; and bloodletting caused blood to run through the streets. It is also the story of a little known chapter in Black history in which free Blacks nursed the sick only to be later condemned for their heroic efforts.

Meticulously researched, first-hand accounts, newspaper clippings, death lists, and period engravings recreate the fear and panic while exploring the political, social, cultural, medical and scientific history of the times. A final chapter explores the causes of the epidemic and provides a wake-up call about the potential for epidemics today.

Newbery Honor Book * National Book Award Finalist * Winner of the Sibert Medal

Author: Jim Murphy
ISBN-10: 0395776082
ISBN-13: 9780395776087
Publisher: Clarion Books
Language: English
Published: 06/23/2003
Pages: 176
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.47lbs
Size: 9.76h x 7.28w x 0.71d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 9
Point Value: 6
Interest Level: Upper Grade
Quiz #/Name: 69054 / American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793

Award: National Book Awards - Finalist
Award: Newbery Medal - Honor Book
Award: Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award - Winner
Award: Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards - Winner
Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: James Madison Book - Winner
Award: Orbis Pictus Award - Winner
Award: Young Hoosier Book Award - Nominee

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 03/10/2003 pg. 73
Kirkus Review - Children 04/01/2003 pg. 538
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 06/01/2003 pg. 413
School Library Journal 06/01/2003 pg. 166
Booklist 06/01/2003 pg. 1757
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2003 pg. 436 - Superior,Well Above Average
Kirkus Review - Children 12/01/2003 pg. 1404
Voice of Youth Advocates 12/01/2003 pg. 428
Booklist 12/01/2003 pg. 678
SLJ's Best Books 12/01/2003 pg. 48
New York Times 01/18/2004 pg. 19
ALA Best Books Young Adults 03/15/2004 pg. 1280
ALA Notable Children's Books 03/15/2004 pg. 1287
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2003 pg. 436 - Superior,Well Above Average
School Library Journal 10/01/2004