Fever 1793

Fever 1793

"Fever 1793", by Laurie Halse Anderson, is about a young girl named Matilda who lives in Philadelphia and during the summer a lot of people are infected with Yellow Fever. Matilda lives above her family's  coffeehouse, which she helps run alongside her grandfather, her mother, and their cook, Eliza. When Matilda's mom is infected with Yellow Fever, Matilda and her grandfather flee to the country where the air is clean. However, when they are about to enter the country they are denied access because Matilda's grandpa is coughing from the heat and is accused of having the fever. They are stranded and Matilda's mom and Eliza think they are safe in the country. While they are seeking help, Matilda blacks out. Eventually, Matilda's grandfather finds a hospital, the Bush Hill Hospital, a hospital for fever victims. Matilda is treated there and when she is strong enough to leave, her grandpa and her head back to Philadelphia, they come back to an empty coffeehouse. Matilda's grandpa is killed by thieves who are robbing the coffeehouse. Matilda later finds Eliza, who is treating fever victims and stays with her, they go back to the coffeehouse and start to run it again, and when everything is good, it gets better and Matilda's mom returns. She is very weak and can't run the coffeehouse anymore. That is what "Fever 1793" is about.

One theme I saw in the book was survival. I think survival is one of the themes because people in Philadelphia  all try to survive Yellow Fever. Also, Matilda and her mom do survive the fever. The whole book is based upon surviving the fever although not everyone does. I have survived many things in my life, but nothing quite as dangerous as Yellow Fever. That is why I think survival is one of the themes in the book.

I really like "Fever 1793". I thought it was very interesting and enjoyed reading it. Although it gets off to a slow start, when the action happens, it's really good. I think a lot of kids would enjoy reading "Fever 1793" because it is an adventurous book about Matilda and her battle to stay alive. I think a lot of students should read this book and not stop because it is a little slow in the beginning.

Laurie Halse Anderson has written more books than just "Fever 1793. I really liked the book and want to read more of her other books. A few of her other books are: "Speak", "Forge", "Chains", "Twisted", and "Catalyst". All of her books sound good and I hope I read some of them. I really enjoyed "Fever 1793" and like Laurie Halse Anderson's writing. Those are some of the other books that Laurie Halse Anderson has written.

I got this picture from: http://meredith26443.edu.glogster.com/glog-2539-9142/

Science Systems Essay: A Letter to the Human Body Corp.

Science Systems Essay: A Letter to the Human Body Corp.

Dear Human Body Corp.:

I hear that you are trying to fire me, the Nervous System. Even in my wildest dreams I could not believe that you would do something as thoughtless as that. Well, I'm sending you this letter to remind you of all the wonderful things that I do for you. First off, without me you would be an emotionless freak with no possibility of having any part in music. Also, you wouldn't be able to speak, write, read, or solve problems, and lastly you would die without the Nervous System. So, don't fire me or all these terrible things will happen to you.

If you were to fire the Nervous System you would become an emotionless weirdo who can't do music. One consequence in firing me would be that you can't even tell what you're feeling! Can you imagine that? Not being able to feel happiness, excitement, etc. Well, that's the price you'll have to pay if you fire me. Also, you wouldn't be able to take part in any type of music. Don't fire me, or you'll turn into an emotionless weirdo who isn't able to play music.

Don't fire the Nervous System, or you won't be able to speak, read, write, or solve problems. If you fired me you wouldn't be able to go to school. I know most people would think of that as a good thing, but let's think about your future if you couldn't get an education/ read, write, or even speak; obviously it's not good. You wouldn't be able to make friends or speak to the ones you have! Also, you wouldn't be able to read so if you're the kind of person who loves to read books don't fire the Nervous System or your reign of reading will be over forever.

Lastly, and I can't stress this enough, you would simply be dead if you fired me. First of all, you wouldn't be able to breathe. Secondly, without the Nervous System your heart wouldn't know how to beat. Lastly, you couldn't eat or drink because you would have no control of your body. So I suggest, if you want to live, not to fire the Nervous System.

If you fired the Nervous System you would end up emotionless and unable to do any type of music. Secondly, you would be unable to speak, read, write, and solve problems. Lastly, you would not be alive without me. So, if you want to be a dead, emotionless freak who can't even speak, read, write, or do music then be my guest, but if not then don't fire the Nervous System.

                          Sincerely,
                          The Nervous System

I got this picture from: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/introb.html