An American Plague

Bibliography:
Murphy, Jim. An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. New York: Clarion Books, 2003. ISBN-10 0395776082

Plot Summary:
The book, An American Plague, tells the story of the Yellow Fever plague which took place in Philadelphia in 1793. It is told through the eyes and opinions of the people living in and around Philadelphia at the time by means of quotes from letters, newspaper articles and books. The plague is documented in detail: where it started, the opinions and biases of the people facing it, the medical nature of the plague, and the names of many killed by it. The book ends by recounting how the Yellow Fever has been studied and further fought since it swept through Philadelphia that first time.

Critical Analysis:
This book – recipient of a Newbery Honor, a national Book Award Finalist, and the winner of the Robert F. Sibert Medal – does not talk down to children. It should probably be reserved for older children, but that is simply because of the vocabulary used. It is told in a very matter-of-fact manner that, while it does inspire some sympathy for those who lived through the epidemic, does not disgust or frighten readers. Rather, it allows the reader to think about how things could have been done better to prevent the tragedy from become as large as it did. Examples of this include analyzing how the government was set up so that nobody in power was around while those who were around (such as Mayor Matthew Clarkson) were breaking the law to be able to create some sort of order, how to give care to those who could not otherwise afford it, and how the bickering between professionals ended up delaying and in some cases preventing care.
The book also allows a glimpse of some Americans who deserve recognition for brave and selfless acts in defense of their home and community. One source of pleasure and regret came from the efforts of the Free African Society: pleasure in the fact that there were some people in the community who were willing to risk themselves to help those in need (even though those in need often despised them), and regret that they never received the credit or acclaim they deserved.
The illustrations of the book, mostly portraits, pictures and newspaper articles, help add to the reality of the story. They solidify the fact that the plague happened, and it happened to real people. This is a good book for anyone interested in history, and more importantly, anyone who wants to discover new ways to help people in need.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal: “Murphy chronicles this frightening time with solid research and a flair for weaving facts into fascinating stories, beginning with the fever's emergence on August 3, when a young French sailor died in Richard Denny's boardinghouse on North Water Street… Black-and-white reproductions of period art, coupled with chapter headings that face full-page copies of newspaper articles of the time, help bring this dreadful episode to life. An afterword explains the yellow fever phenomenon, its causes, and contemporary outbreaks, and source notes are extensive and interesting.”
Booklist: “History, science, politics, and public health come together in this dramatic account of the disastrous yellow fever epidemic that hit the nation's capital more than 200 years ago. Drawing on firsthand accounts, medical and non-medical, Murphy re-creates the fear and panic in the infected city, the social conditions that caused the disease to spread, and the arguments about causes and cures. With archival prints, photos, contemporary newspaper facsimiles that include lists of the dead, and full, chatty source notes, he tells of those who fled and those who stayed”

Connections:
Other stories by Jim Murphy regarding disasters that affected the country include:
The Great Fire. ISBN 9780439203074
Blizzard! The Storm That Changed America. ISBN 9780590673105