Anderson's: Fever: 1793

There is nothing more horrific than that which has actually happened. Laurie Halse Anderson relates the details of Philadelphia's yellow fever plague of 1793 through the eyes of a fictional teenager Matilda Cook who is forced to grow up before her time in her novel Fever: 1793. The blood-sucking villain she faces is more terrifying than any fictional vampire or werewolf. Her villain actually exists to this day and made a ghost town out of the largest city in the United States. Is it possible for this villain, or another one like it to strike the United States again? Do we know enough to protect ourselves, not only from the villain itself but from what follows after such a disaster? Matilda finds the courage to defend her family and home from robbers and murderers. This novel may cause today's teenagers to question what they are prepared to do in the face of extreme and sudden adversity.

Cousins': Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia

Perhaps because so much is known about Benjamin Franklin through his prolific writings that Margaret Cousins' is able to give such an authentic portrait of this important American. In very accessible language, the text seems to be written at a 4th grade level, but would be appropriate up through middle grades especially for struggling readers. The chapters of the book are organized somewhat by different aspects of Franklin's life: school boy, inventor, statesman, etc. The book also includes an index for quick research reference and a list of accomplishments.