Constitution High School
9th Grade English
Summer Reading Assignment
All incoming 9th
graders should read Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. Much of the book takes place in
historic Philadelphia, the same neighborhood where Constitution High School is
located! Fever 1793 is widely available through the Philadelphia Free
Library as well as in bookstores and on line.
About
the book:
During the
summer of 1793, Mattie Cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed
mother and grandfather. Mattie spends her days avoiding chores and making plans
to turn the family business into the finest Philadelphia has ever seen. But
then the fever breaks out.
Disease sweeps the streets, destroying everything in its
path and turning Mattie's world upside down. At her feverish mother's
insistence, Mattie flees the city with her grandfather. But she soon discovers
that the sickness is everywhere, and Mattie must learn quickly how to survive
in a city turned frantic with disease.
ASSIGNMENT: After reading the book,
please answer the ten questions and complete the creative writing assignment
below. Your English teacher will
collect this work on the first day of school.
Questions: Answer the following ten
questions about Fever 1793. Write in complete sentences. You may write your answers by hand on
lined paper, or you may type them.
1. What was Philadelphia
like in 1793? What were the advantages and disadvantages of living in the
countryside outside of Philadelphia?
2. How was the life of a 14-year-old in 1793 different from the
life of a 14-year-old today? In which period would you rather live? Why?
3. What are the greatest advancements American society has made
since then? How have we regressed?
4. Mattie’s grandfather didn’t think there was any need to rush
out of Philadelphia when the fever started to spread. Why did some people think
it was safe to stay? What would you have done?
5. The color yellow is used throughout the story. What does it
symbolize? What other symbols are used in the book?
6. When does Mattie move from being a child to being a young
adult?
7. What do you think will happen to Mattie, her mother, and
friends in 1794? What will their lives look like in 1800? In 1813?
8. During the Revolutionary War, women took on tasks that were
traditionally performed by men. After the War, they were expected to go back to
their spinning wheels and kitchens. How are Mattie’s dreams in conflict with
what her society expected of young women? Why did Mattie’s mother want a
different life for her daughter?
9. The Free African Society volunteered to take care of the
sick and bury the dead, even though there was no cure for yellow fever. How do
you think they felt? Why did they do that? Would you have helped?
10. Make a list of words
they used in 1793 that we don’t use today, such as "balderdash" and
"bunkum." What words that we use today might sound strange and
old-fashioned in the year 2200?
Creative Writing Assignment: Fever 1793 is written from Mattie’s point of view. Consider how the book might have been
different if it were were written from Eliza’s point of view. Choose one scene from the book and
re-write it from Eliza’s point of view.
If you type your scene, it should be at least one page (12 pt. font,
double-spaced). If you write out
your scene by hand, it should be at least two pages.
Enjoy the book! If you have any questions,
please contact one of the two 9th grade English teachers:
Ms.
McCartney ajmccartney@philasd.org
Ms. Melville kmelville@philasd.org
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