Fever 1793

The fever first appears near the docks, and at first people dismiss it as a minor illness. Then Polly, the coffeehouse's serving girl, dies suddenly, and panic spreads. Doctors disagree about treatments, the wealthy flee the city, and the government nearly stops working. When Mattie's mother falls ill, she insists that Mattie leave with her grandfather for the countryside, but the journey goes badly, and Mattie and her grandfather find themselves stranded and then back in the deserted, frightening city.

Mattie must find food, care for her grandfather and later for a little orphaned girl named Nell, and avoid thieves and danger. She is helped by Eliza, the coffeehouse's free Black cook, who works tirelessly nursing the sick with the Free African Society, a real organization whose members risked their lives during the epidemic. Each chapter opens with a quotation from a historical document of the time, and an appendix explains the real history. There are deaths and frightening scenes, but the book focuses on Mattie's courage, friendship and growing independence.

Gripping, informative and inspiring. About 251 pages in paperback.