1. Bibliography -
Murphy, Jim. 2003. AN AMERICAN PLAGUE: THE TRUE AND TERIFYING STORY OF THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC OF 1793. Ill. by Jim Murphy. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN: 0-395-77608-2
2. Plot Summary –
“The summer of 1793 was so hot and humid that the swamps around Philadelphia turned to muddy puddles and swarms of mosquitoes filled the air. As the church bells tolled, it was becoming clear -- the city was being ravaged by an unknown killer.
Long before SARS and West Nile virus, Yellow Fever was a medical mystery that forced thousands in the nation’s temporary capital to flee and brought the workings of the federal government to a virtual halt. This is a riveting account of this country’s first large-scale medical epidemic.
This is the story of how half the city’s residents fled and half of those who remained died; neighboring towns, cities and states barricaded themselves; Washington himself fled, setting off a constitutional crisis; and bloodletting caused blood to run through the streets. It is also the story of a little known chapter in Black History in which free blacks nursed the sick only to be later condemned for their heroic efforts” (Murphy, J., 2004).
3. Critical Analysis –
a. Accuracy:
“Meticulously researched, first-hand accounts, newspaper clippings, death lists, and period engravings recreate the fear and panic while exploring the political, social, cultural, medical and scientific history of the times. A final chapter explores the causes of the epidemic and provides a wake-up call about the potential for epidemics today” (Murphy, J., 2004).
b. Organization:
“One of the most interesting parts of the book is towards the end, and describes how Yellow Fever shaped our history. Legal and government policies, Dolley Madison (and thus Presidents Jefferson and Madison), and the Lousiana Purchase were all impacted by the disease in ways I hadn't considered before. It's not just another malady” (JediKermit, 2006).
“The horrors of a city losing more than ten percent of its population are explored by the book, but it reads more as a mystery than a horror novel. Only in the final chapter does Murphy explain the true cause of the epidemic, and discuss the ramifications of future outbreaks. The United States hasn't manufactured the Yellow Fever vaccine in several years, and a resurgence of the disease could kill up to 10% of an urban population before we could create enough vaccine to combat it” (JediKermit, 2006).
c. Design:
“Included in the book are illustrations, portraits of key players in the events described, and pages out of newspapers that were printed during the months when the plague held Philadelphia at its mercy. They provide us with a wonderful opportunity to read the very words of those who experienced the plague firsthand. The reader will find tips on how to avoid getting the plague and suggestions on what to do if you are unfortunate enough to have it. All in all, this is a wonderful book for anyone interested in history and in the ways of people” (Jansen-Gruber, 2009).
d. Style:
“One of the truly wonderful things about this book, as well as Murphy's other books, is that he strives to tell the whole story. We read about the selflessness of members of the black community who courageously tended the sick and buried the dead when no one else would. Their story is told in its entirety, as is that of the remarkable mayor of Philadelphia, Matthew Clarkson, who would not allow his city to die. The people who were present in Philadelphia and its environs at that awful time are brought to life once more through Murphy's skill as a writer” (Jansen-Gruber, 2009).
“The book is readable, informative, and manages to have a sense of humor despite the depressing topic. This book was the perfect balance of history, mystery, and personal stories. If you're interested in colonial history or epidemics in general, check out "An American Plague” (JediKermit, 2006).
e. Awards & Recognitions:
Jim Murphy’s book, AN AMERICAN PLAGUE: THE TRUE AND TERRIFYING STORY OF THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC OF 1793 received the following awards and recognitions:
• 2004 ALA. Newbery Honor Book Award
• 2004 ALA. Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
• National Book Award Finalist Medal
• NCTE Orbis Pictus Award
• An ALA Notable Children’s Book
• A YALSA Best Book for Young Adults
• A SLJ Best Book of the Year
• Blue Ribbon, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
• An Editor’s Choice, Kirkus Reviews
4. Review Excerpt(s) –
"Nobody does juvenile nonfiction better than Murphy." -- The Washington Post
“A mesmerizing, macabre account that will make readers happy they live in the 21st century. Powerful, evocative prose carries the compelling subject matter. Stellar." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Superbly written...extremely accessible and readable. Represents nonfiction at its best." -- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
"Murphy chronicles this frightening time with solid research and a flair for weaving facts into fascinating stories." -- School Library Journal (starred)
5. Connections –
With Jim Murphy, you can make connections to one of his more than 30 books. I have listed a few of them below:
Non-fiction:
• ACROSS AMERICA ON AN EMIGRANT TRAIN
• THE REAL BENEDICT ARNOLD
• TRUCE: THE DAY THE SOLDIERS STOPPED FIGHTING
• A SAVAGE THUNDER: ANTIETAM AND THE BLOODY ROAD TO FREEDOM
• THE GREAT FIRE
• BLIZZARD!: THE STORM THAT CHANGED AMERICA
• THE YOUNG PATRIOT: THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AS EXPERIENCED BY ONE BOY
• THE BOYS WAR: CONFEDERATE AND UNION SOLDIERS TALK ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR
• THE LONG ROAD TO GETTYSBURY
• PICK AND SHOVEL POET: THE JOURNEYS OF PASCAL D’ANGELO
• INSIDE THE ALAMO
• GONE A-WHALING – THE LURE OF THE SEA AND THE HUNT FOR THE GREAT WHALE
Fiction:
• MY NAME IS AMERICA: THE JOURNEY OF JAMES EDMUND PEASE – A CIVIL WAR UNION SOLDIER, VIRGINIA, 1863
• DESPERATE JOURNEY
• DEAR AMERICA: WEST TO THE LAND OF PLENTY – THE DIARY OF TERESA ANGELINO VISCARDI, NEW YORK TO IDAHO TERRITORY, 1883
• DEAR AMERICA: MY FACE TO THE WIND – THE DIARY OF SARAH JANE PRICE, A PRAIRIE TEACHER, BROKEN BOW, NEBRASKA, 1881
• MY NAME IS AMERICA: THE JOURNAL OF BRIAN DOYLE – A GREENHORN ON AN ALASKAN WHALING SHIP, THE FLORENCE, 1874
Picture books:
• FERGUS AND THE NIGHT-DEMON – AN IRISH GHOST STORY
Readers may also enjoy some of the other books that are also about the plague - the Yellow Fever epidemic including:
FEVER 1793:
Anderson, L., 2002. FEVER 1793. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. ISBN-10: 0698984919 / ISBN-13: 978-0689848919
and
THE AMERICAN PLAGUE: THE UNTOLD STORY OF YELLOW FEVER, THE EPIDEMIC THAT SHAPED OUR HISTORY:
Crosby, M., 2006. THE AMERICAN PLAGUE: THE UNTOLD STORY OF YELLOW FEVER, THE EPIDEMIC THAT SHAPED OUR HISTORY. New York, NY: Berkley Publishing. ISBN-10: 0425212025
Note -
AN AMERICAN PLAGUE is also available on CD and is performed by Pat Bottino. I listened to this book on CD as I drove around town, running errands and picking up my girls from school in the afternoons. Pat Bottino's reading performance was a little monotonous and slow for my liking; with this book - I really preferred to read it myself. But I was curious to hear this story's oral rendition and thought it was interesting that Pat Bottino did not read the old English words 'ye when they were written in the book, but said "the" instead. In this case, I think the book was more exciting and gripping to read it silently, then to hear Pat Bottino read it to you. This is just my opinion.
References
Jansen-Gruber, M., (1998-2009). Kidsreads Reviews, retrieved on October 21, 2009, from http://www.kidsreads.com/reviews/0395776082.asp
Murphy, J. (2009). Jim Murphy: Making History Come Alive, retrieved on October 21, 2009, from http://jimmurphybooks.com/americanplague.htm
JediKermit, (2006). Epinions: Yellow Fever, Big City, retrieved on October 21, 2009, from http://www0.epinions.com/review/An_American_Plague_The_True_and_Terrifying_Story_of_the_Yellow_Fever_Epidemic_of_1793_by_Jim_Murphy/content_223804165764
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