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An American Plague
An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 | Jim Murphy
4 posts | 8 read | 1 reading | 4 to read
1793, Philadelphia. The nation's capital and the largest city in North America is devastated by an apparently incurable disease, cause unknown . . . In a powerful, dramatic narrative, critically acclaimed author Jim Murphy describes the illness known as yellow fever and the toll it took on the city's residents, relating the epidemic to the major social and political events of the day and to 18th-century medical beliefs and practices. Drawing on first-hand accounts, Murphy spotlights the heroic role of Philadelphia's free blacks in combating the disease, and the Constitutional crisis that President Washington faced when he was forced to leave the city--and all his papers--while escaping the deadly contagion. The search for the fever's causes and cure, not found for more than a century afterward, provides a suspenseful counterpoint to this riveting true story of a city under siege. An American Plague's numerous awards include a Sibert Medal, a Newbery Honor, and designation as a National Book Award Finalist. Thoroughly researched, generously illustrated with fascinating archival prints, and unflinching in its discussion of medical details, this book offers a glimpse into the conditions of American cities at the time of our nation's birth while drawing timely parallels to modern-day epidemics. Bibliography, map, index.
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NicoleCumbo
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An American Plague by Jim Murphy is a nonfiction novel about yellow fever and how it spread back in the medieval days. This novel has won the Sibert Medal and a Newbery Award For it‘s information and how it educates young readers on a serious subject. This novel would best be used for guided readings or literature circles within your classrooms.

NicoleCumbo A UDL strategy that aligns with this novel is 3.1 (activate or supply background knowledge) and an EL strategy that would work well with this novel is 4 (link lesson topic to students prior knowledge). Https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/American-plague-an-by-jim-murphy/ will take you to a webpage with interactive lesson plans for grades 3-12 to help deepen understanding of this novel. #ucflae3414sp18 6y
SadiqaH Very informative book , it developed an awareness among young students that modern science has controlled many contagious diseases. 6y
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toofondofbooks
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This was a great middle grade nonfiction account of the yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia in 1793. would be a great companion read to Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

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toofondofbooks
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my daughter's school dismisses 1.5 hrs earlier than my son's so we usually have to kill time in town. thankfully we have a nice park nearby and it's finally cooled down enough in the South to enjoy it. we're still in shorts and tees though lol

Purpleness It was -19 celsius (-2 fahrenheit) here earlier today; enjoy your “cool” weather😜 6y
toofondofbooks wow. that's freezing... it was nearly 80F here lol 6y
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toofondofbooks
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