Valerie Lynn Dieter

LISC 503
Fall 2007
Annotated Multimedia Bibliography

This bibliography has been prepared for the Providence Middle School Media
Center to support and enhance a collaboratively taught lesson in history and English
focusing on the impact of yellow fever in the United States as well as a study of
other plagues that have affected history. The following selections are
recommendations for Providence’s historical fiction and historical nonfiction
collections. Each selection supports the following Virginia SOLs.

HISTORY:

USI.1 The student will develop skills for historical and geographical analysis,
including the ability to

b) make connections between the past and the present;

c) sequence events in United States history from pre-Columbian times to
1877;
d) interpret ideas and events from different historical perspectives;
e) evaluate and discuss issues orally and in writing;

ENGLISH:

8.5 The student will read and analyze a variety of narrative and poetic forms.
b) Describe inferred main ideas or themes, using evidence from the text
as support.
c) Describe how authors use characters, conflict, point of view, and tone
to create meaning.

8.6 The student will read, comprehend, and analyze a variety of informational
sources.
a) Draw on background knowledge and knowledge of text structure to
understand selections.
b) Analyze the author’s credentials, viewpoint, and impact.
c) Analyze the author’s use of text structure and word choice.
d) Analyze details for relevance and accuracy.
 f) Summarize and critique text.
g) Evaluate and synthesize information to apply in written and oral
presentations.
h) Draw conclusions based on explicit and implied information.
i) Make inferences based on explicit and implied information.

Currently, the media center does not have sufficient materials to support teacher
instruction of this unit. If selected, these materials will enhance and support the
educational goals of Providence Middle School. These selections include
recommendations from reputable reviewers.
** Summaries and Reviews for each item follow the list of materials.

BOOKS

Anderson, Laurie Halse. (2000). Fever, 1793. New York: Simon & Schuster.

ISBN: 978-0689848919 Binding: Paperback Language: English

Pages: 256 List Price: $5.99

Murphy, Jim. (2003). An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the
Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. New York: Clarion Books.

ISBN: 978-0395776087 Binding: Hardcover Language: English

Pages: 176 List Price: $17.00

Barnard, Bryn. (2005). Outbreak! Plagues That Changed History. New York:
Crown Books for Young Readers.

ISBN: 978-0375829864 Binding: Hardcover Language: English

Pages: 48 List Price: $17.95

NONPRINT

Bergl, Emily (Speaker). (2001). Fever, 1793 [CD]. New York: Listening Library.

ISBN: 978-0807261583 Type: CD Language: English

Length: 5 Discs Unabridged List Price: $45.00

ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE

Black Death (1347-1351 A.D.), The. United Learning (1997). Retrieved October 27,
2007, from unitedstreaming: http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com

Language: English Length: 15:12

List Price: No additional cost with current subscription
Format: Windows Media Audio/Video File; streaming or downloadable
 WEBSITE

"Yellow Fever Attacks Philadelphia, 1793," EyeWitness to History,

www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2005).

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/yellowfever.htm

PERIODICAL

Discover. Issued monthly. $29.95 per year. . Walt Disney Magazine Publishing
Group, P.O. Box 37281 Boone, IA 50037-2281. ISSN 0274-7529
 Summaries & Reviews: Books

Anderson, Laurie Halse. (2000). Fever, 1793. New York: Simon & Schuster.

From Middle and Junior High Core Collection

A Most Highly Recommended Title. In 1793 Philadelphia, sixteen-year-old Matilda

Cook, separated from her sick mother, learns about perseverance and self-reliance
when she is forced to cope with the horrors of a yellow fever epidemic.

Accessed through the Longwood University website. http://tinyurl.com/3e2bqp

Publishers Weekly
The opening scene of Anderson's ambitious novel about the yellow fever epidemic
that ravaged Philadelphia in the late 18th century shows a hint of the gallows
humor and insight of her previous novel, Speak. Sixteen-year-old Matilda "Mattie"
Cook awakens in the sweltering summer heat on August 16th, 1793, to her mother's
command to rouse and with a mosquito buzzing in her ear. She shoos her cat from
her mother's favorite quilt and thinks to herself, "I had just saved her precious
quilt from disaster, but would she appreciate it? Of course not." Mattie's wit again
shines through several chapters later during a visit to her wealthy neighbors'
house, the Ogilvies. Having refused to let their serving girl, Eliza, coif her for the
occasion, Mattie regrets it as soon as she lays eyes on the Ogilvie sisters, who
wear matching bombazine gowns, curly hair piled high on their heads ("I should
have let Eliza curl my hair. Dash it all"). But thereafter, Mattie's character
development, as well as those of her grandfather and widowed mother, takes a
back seat to the historical details of Philadelphia and environs. Extremely well
researched, Anderson's novel paints a vivid picture of the seedy waterfront, the
devastation the disease wreaks on a once thriving city, and the bitterness of
neighbor toward neighbor as those suspected of infection are physically cast aside.
However, these larger scale views take precedence over the kind of intimate
scenes that Anderson crafted so masterfully in Speak. Scenes of historical
significance, such as George Washington returning to Philadelphia, then the
nation's capital, to signify the end of the epidemic are delivered with more impact
than scenes of great personal significance to Mattie.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Selected from Amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/2nqky9

Murphy, Jim. (2003). An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the
Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. New York: Clarion Books.

School Library Journal

If surviving the first 20 years of a new nationhood weren't challenge enough, the
yellow fever epidemic of 1793, centering in Philadelphia, was a crisis of monumental
proportions. Murphy chronicles this frightening time with solid research and a flair
for weaving facts into fascinating stories, beginning with the fever's emergence on
August 3, when a young French sailor died in Richard Denny's boardinghouse on
North Water Street. As church bells rang more and more often, it became
horrifyingly clear that the de facto capital was being ravaged by an unknown killer.
Largely unsung heroes emerged, most notably the Free African Society, whose
members were mistakenly assumed to be immune and volunteered en masse to
perform nursing and custodial care for the dying. Black-and-white reproductions of
period art, coupled with chapter headings that face full-page copies of newspaper
articles of the time, help bring this dreadful episode to life. An afterword explains
the yellow fever phenomenon, its causes, and contemporary outbreaks, and source
notes are extensive and interesting. Pair this work with Laurie Halse Anderson's
wonderful novel Fever 1793 (S & S, 2000) and you'll have students hooked on
history.
Mary R. Hofmann, Rivera Middle School, Merced, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc

Accessed through the Longwood University website. http://tinyurl.com/3e2bqp

Barnard, Bryn. (2005). Outbreak! Plagues That Changed History. New York:
Crown Books for Young Readers.

School Library Journal

This well-written volume explores specific plagues that have impacted society.
Barnard begins with an introduction to microbes and the positive and negative
effects that they can have on humans. A history of the study of microorganisms
follows. The bulk of the book then focuses on specific plagues with a chapter
devoted to each, including the Black Death, smallpox, yellow fever, cholera,
tuberculosis, and influenza, The final chapter discusses the modem struggle
against disease. A thorough glossary and a detailed list of sources are included.
The evocative paintings help to clarify the text. Browsers and report writers alike
will find this to be a fascinating and informative resource.
Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Library, UT.
Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information, Inc

Selected from Amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/33vy6t

 Summary & Review: NonPrint

Bergl, Emily (Speaker). (2001). Fever, 1793 [CD]. New York: Listening Library.

Booklist
These four superb unabridged titles tell stories of children who lived during
various historical periods. Dave at Night narrator Harris capably reads this
engaging tale with enthusiasm and humor to perfectly represent mischievous Dave,
who is sent to a New York orphanage in 1926. Likewise, Bergl expertly recounts
young Mattie's coming-of-age experiences during Philadelphia's yellow fever
epidemic in Fever 1793. Each chapter begins with excerpts of correspondence
written by physicians and others, and although these readings may be initially
confusing, their inclusion enhances the tale. Lynch's deliberate reading of Nory
Ryan's Song draws listeners into the desperate circumstances that a young girl and
her family endure during the potato famine in Ireland. A master of numerous
accents, including the broken speech of the main character "Spider" Sparrow, who
possesses a unique talent for communicating with animals, Rodska brings Spider
Sparrow to life with his energetic, perfectly timed reading.

Anna Rich
COPYRIGHT 2001 American Library Association

Source Citation: Rich, Anna. "Fever 1793." Booklist 97.15 (April 1,

2001): 1494. Academic OneFile. Gale. Longwood University. 27 Oct. 2007
http://find.galegroup.com.proxy.longwood.edu/itx/start.do?prodId=AON
 Summary & Review: Online Subscription Service

Black Death (1347-1351 A.D.), The. United Learning (1997). Retrieved October 27,
2007, from unitedstreaming: http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com

Discovery Education provides engaging digital resources to schools and homes with
the goal of making educators more effective, increasing student achievement, and
connecting classrooms and families to a world of learning.

Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, LLC the leading

global nonfiction media company. The leader in digital video-based learning,
Discovery Education produces and distributes high-quality digital resources in
easy-to-use formats in all core-curricular subject areas. Discovery Education is
committed to creating scientifically proven, standards-based digital resources for
teachers, students, and parents that make a positive impact on student learning.
Through solutions like Discovery Education streaming, Discovery Education
Science, Discovery Education Health and more, Discovery Education helps over one
million educators and 35 million students harness the power of broadband and
media to connect to a world of learning.

Source: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/aboutUs.cfm

Technology & Learning

For the fourth year, Technology & Learning is also recognizing Legacy Winners.
This category honors previously award-winning products that have stood the test
of time and evolved with the changing technology to continue to offer the highest
quality experiences for educators and students. This year's Legacy Winners
include Discovery Education streaming Plus.

Press Release:
http://www.techlearning.com/aoe/PRESSrelease_AOE_2007V2.doc
 Summary & Review: Website

"Yellow Fever Attacks Philadelphia, 1793," EyeWitness to History,

www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2005).

Technology and Learning

Teachers of social studies and language arts will find countless ways to use this
content-rich site. The various first-person accounts can be used for: enhancing
reports, reflective essays, role-playing, original plays, newscasts, interviews, etc.
The Photo of the Day can be an excellent writing-starter. The sound clips (requires
RealPlayer or other downloadable audio software) can provoke interesting
discussions about contemporary versus older speech patterns. And there’s probably
many more ideas just waiting to be recognized.

Source:
http://www.techlearning.com/webpicks/showArticle.php?articleID=19200064
 Summary & Review: Periodical

Discover. Issued monthly. $29.95 per year. . Walt Disney Magazine Publishing
Group, P.O. Box 37281 Boone, IA 50037-2281. ISSN 0274-7529.

From Magazines.com
Provides its readers with immediate access to startling developments in science,
technology and medicine with a renewed emphasis on how those breakthroughs
affect their world. The world is evolving faster than ever. New technologies are
influencing every aspect of our lives.

Website:
http://www.magazines.com/ncom/mag?id=3934890449547&mid=0000001362

Magazines for Libraries

“Discover remains one of the best general science periodicals for all levels of
readership. The articles are on timely issues and are written in an easy-to-read
fashion. Each issue contains a cover story and several feature stories on topics
ranging from invention to the Big Bang theory. Includes reviews of books,
museums, and some movies. … This all-purpose publication belongs in all libraries.”
Quoted from Katz

Katz, Bill and Linda Stemberg Katz. Magazines for Libraries. New Providence, NJ:
Bowker, 2000.