GENRE 4: An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy

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

Plot Summary
Murphy’s account of the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia traces the social and political ramifications of the epidemic. Though undetected at first, the disease soon begins to spread throughout the city, taking victims from all walks of life. The conditions and medical beliefs that helped the disease spread are detailed, along with the confusion and terror that soon ensued due to escalating deaths. Adding to the confusion was the collapse of the state and federal government when famous men such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were forced to abandon the city--and their important documents--in an effort to avoid the contagion. The efforts of several courageous and loyal citizens that led to the eventual containment and clearing of the epidemic are highlighted. The final chapter in the book relates the eventual discovery of a cure for yellow fever and the implications of an epidemic today.

Critical Analysis
Murphy’s book is thoroughly researched, as evident by the inclusion of an extensive section of researched sources that are categorized into different groups, such as “Firsthand Accounts: Nonmedical” and “Doctoring in the Old Days”. This section illustrates the great lengths Murphy went to in ensuring that his book was as historically accurate as possible. Adding to the accuracy of the information in the book is the use of direct quotes from historical accounts of that time. The use of the quotes not only adds to the accuracy, but enhances the narrative quality of the account.

The book is well organized and includes several access features that make is easy for the reader to go back and find a particular piece of information. Among the included access features are a table of contents, an index, a map and legend of the city of Philadelphia, historical photographs with captions, political cartoons, and images of documents from that period. Though the photographs and images are black and white, they add to the sense of a well researched and organized book.

Murphy ends the book with a chapter called “A Modern-Day Time Bomb” that discusses the implications of a possible outbreak of yellow fever, or other infectious disease, in modern times. The chapter is thought provoking and provides excellent closure for the through account of the disease. This books is recommended for upper middle school and high school students.

Review Excerpt(s)
Finalist for the 2003 National Book Award, Young People's Literature
2004 Newbery Honor Book
Winner of the 2004 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
Winner of the 2004 Orbis Pictus Award

Children’s Literature - “This book is a well-researched endeavor with innumerable sources that manages to captivate its readers.”

Kirkus Review - “…interesting in itself, it is also a valuable lesson in reading and writing history.”

Connections
- Students can research other diseases that were prevalent during 18th and 19th centuries, such as smallpox, and compare and contrast those diseases to yellow fever.
- Incorporate a writing lesson by having students take on the role of a citizen of Philadelphia writing a letter to a relative that describes the toll the disease is taking on the city.
- Students can evaluate and rate the efficiency of some of the treatments used to cure yellow fever in 1793.