Laurie Halse Anderson's Fever 1793

In the book, Fever 1793, by Laurie Halse Anderson, a thirteen year old girl named Matilda Cook lives with her mother and grandfather in Philadelphia, helping run the Cook coffeehouse. At first Matilda’s life is normal and it seems like it will stay that way, until yellow fever spreads through the city and destroys everything she knows. The community in Philadelphia is torn apart by fear, loved ones abandon each other and even the generals and war heroes who fought against the British in the Revolutionary War leave Philadelphia in search of safety. The wealthy flee to the country, but those who stay either steal from others or avoid helping the sick and dying. However some people stay to help others, tending to the sick and saving their lives.