81 pages • 2 hours read
An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
188
Book • Nonfiction
Philadelphia • 1790s
2014
Middle grade
10-14 years
Super Short Summary
An American Plague by Jim Murphy chronicles the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 in Philadelphia, illustrating how the fever emerged, spread, and induced chaos. Amid widespread panic, key individuals and groups, including the College of Physicians and the Free African Society, work to restore order and provide care. The book explores urban power dynamics, race relations, and public health responses of the time. Sensitive topics such as severe illness and death are present throughout.
Informative
Mysterious
Dark
Unnerving
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
4,985 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
An American Plague by Jim Murphy offers a compelling, well-researched account of the 1793 yellow fever epidemic. Praised for its vivid narrative and historical accuracy, it engages readers with its detailed storytelling. However, some critics find it slightly dense for younger audiences. Overall, it’s an informative and gripping read suitable for history enthusiasts.
Who Should Read An American Plague?
Ideal for history and medical enthusiasts ages 12 and up, readers of An American Plague will appreciate its vivid recounting of the 1793 yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia. Comparable to The Great Fire by Jim Murphy and Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson, it combines detailed research with gripping storytelling.
4,985 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
188
Book • Nonfiction
Philadelphia • 1790s
2014
Middle grade
10-14 years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.