Fever 1793

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 29 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. At the beginning of the story, what do Mattie's chores and feelings about the coffeehouse show about her daily life?
2. How does Polly's death change the mood of the story, and what questions does it raise for Mattie?
3. Grandfather encourages Mattie to think big about the coffeehouse. What does this tell you about both characters?
4. What signs show that fear of fever is growing in Philadelphia, and how do people react?
5. During tea with the Ogilvie family, how does Mattie feel, and why might this visit matter to her mother?
6. When illness comes closer to Mattie's family, how do Mattie and her mother respond differently?
7. What do you predict will happen after Mattie and Grandfather leave the city? Use details from the chapter.
8. How does the trip out of Philadelphia become harder than Mattie expected?
9. What does Mattie's sickness and time outdoors reveal about her strength and her need for help?
10. At Bush Hill, how are Mattie's ideas about the fever hospital different from what she actually finds?
11. How do the people caring for the sick show courage in this chapter?
12. When Mattie and Grandfather return to the coffeehouse, what has changed, and how does Mattie react?
13. What does the empty or changed city help you understand about the fever epidemic?
14. How does Mattie show independence when she tries to get food or supplies?
15. What role does Eliza play in Mattie's life, and why is their friendship important?
16. What does Mattie learn about the Free African Society and the people helping fever victims?
17. How does the break-in at the coffeehouse create danger and change Mattie's life?
18. How does Mattie deal with grief after Grandfather's death?
19. Why does Mattie decide to help Nell, and what does this choice show about her character?
20. Compare Joseph's home with the coffeehouse. How do these places feel different to Mattie?
21. When more children become sick, what difficult choices do Mattie and Eliza have to make?
22. What does the word perseverance mean, and how does Mattie show perseverance in this chapter?
23. How does caring for Nell and the twins help Mattie grow up?
24. What changes when the first frost arrives, and why is it important to the people of Philadelphia?
25. How does Nathaniel's return affect Mattie, and what does their friendship add to the story?
26. What does Mattie learn about hope as the city begins to recover?
27. When Mattie's mother comes back, how have both Mattie and Mother changed?
28. What plans does Mattie make for the coffeehouse, and how do they show her new confidence?
29. What is one theme of the whole book, such as courage, family, or survival? Explain using Mattie's journey.

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

How does Polly's death change the mood of the story, and what questions does it raise for Mattie?

Polly's death makes the story feel much more serious and scary. Before this, Mattie is mostly thinking about chores, food, and her own plans. After Polly dies, I can tell that the fever is not just a rumor anymore. Mattie wonders how someone young and healthy could die so suddenly, and that makes the reader worry too.

What does Mattie learn about the Free African Society and the people helping fever victims?

I think Mattie learns that many people are being brave and helpful even when it is dangerous. The Free African Society helps sick families instead of running away from them. This shows Mattie that courage can mean taking care of others. It also helps her see that the city has good people working together during a terrible time.

When Mattie's mother comes back, how have both Mattie and Mother changed?

When Mother comes back, she is much weaker than she was at the beginning of the book. Mattie has changed too because she is no longer just a girl who needs to be told what to do. She has survived sickness, cared for children, and made hard choices. I think Mother can see that Mattie has become more responsible and strong.