Plot Summary: Matilda is a 16 year old girl living in Philadelphia during the time of the yellow fever epidemic. This book is accurately placed within the historical fiction category for its story of this young girl and how she must forget about being a child and do what is necessary to survive. When her family's servant girl dies from this plague, Matilda realizes how dangerous things really are and is forced to stand by and watch while her mom is taken to be quarantined when it becomes obvious that she is infected. Matilda must try to protect her family's Coffeehouse while trying to also care for her grandfather, who also displays symptoms of infection. The detailed description of living conditions within the city during this time, as well as society's reaction to the plague and those sick, makes this story very real for the reader. Mattie is forced to do things and make decisions that are entirely out of element for a young girl in this time period, but it is necessary because of the grave situation that she is in.
Awards & Reviews: This book was reviewed by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Plague, Philadelphia, yellow fever, epidemics.
Age Group: Grades 6-10
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