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

1. Bibliography
Murphy, Jim. 2003. An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0395776082

2. Plot Summary
In the nation’s capital an incurable disease is rushing through North America. It is Philadelphia, 1793 and Jim Murphy uses a powerful narrative to describe this illness. The disease is known as the yellow fever, and it impacts every resident of the city in some way or another. As this epidemic flows through the capital, Murphy tells of the major social and political events that occur. Included in this glance in the past is the crisis faced by President Washington, the roles of free blacks, and the search for the causes and a cure. This book allows people to understand and feel the suffering caused by the yellow fever.

3. Critical Analysis
Jim Murphy does a solid job in showing the challenges faced by the yellow fever in 1793. Starting with the young French sailor, details are merged together of the frightening events that swept through Philadelphia. As Murphy tells readers “the tolling bells that had so thoroughly terrified everyone were ordered to remain still,” we can see the horrifying events become real. Murphy shows us the heroes that emerge from the Free African Society thinking they were immune and volunteer to make rounds through the city to help the dying. We also see the many methods used during this time period to find the cure, including Dr. Rush and his methods known as “Prince of Bleeders.” As readers see the fear and panic told by Murphy, a true understanding of this disease is shown. In this recreation of events, Murphy includes archival prints, photos, newspaper articles with a list of the dead, and more that help add to the understanding of this period. With these dramatic accounts and the illustrations, readers will have a true understanding of what it was like to live during this epidemic.

4. Review Excerpts
Orbis Pictus Award
Newbery Honor Book
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Leisurely, lyrical tone...Murphy injects the events with immediacy...archival photographs...bring the story to life...comprehensive history."
Horn Book: "diverse voices...representative images...Everywhere, Murphy is attentive to telling detail...Thoroughly documented...the work is both rigorous and inviting."

5. Connections
*Similar Books
FEVER 1793. BY Laurie Halse Anderson and Lori Earley. ISBN 0689848919
BLACK POTATOES: THE STORY OF THE GREAT IRISH FAMINE, 1845-1850. By Susan Campbell Bartoletti. ISBN 0618548831
THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION: MARIAN ANDERSON AND THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. By Russell Freedman. ISBN 0618159762
*Other Book by Jim Murphy
THE GREAT FIRE. ISBN 0439203074