Horrors of History: People of the Plague : Philadelphia Flu Epidemic 1918

Well-researched and rich with ghastly details, this third historical fiction novel in the Horrors of History series is based on the great influenza epidemic of 1918. Actual and fictionalized victims and survivors, like the young, heroic Barium and the concerned, wise Doctor Wilmer Krusen, help weave together a gripping account of how Philadelphia coped with the outbreak. Well-researched and rich with ghastly details, this third historical fiction novel in the Horrors of History series brings young readers into the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918. World War I is almost over. Thrilled that the Liberty Parade has won them a day off of school, Harriet and Harry run up and down Broad Street–where a boatload of Navy sailors from Boston have just brought the influenza to Philadelphia. Over the next two months, fully a quarter of the city will be stricken with the flu. Thousands will die. And the City of Brotherly Love will never be the same. Actual and fictionalized victims and survivors, like heroic young Barium Epp and Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Charities director Dr. Wilmer Krusen, help weave together a gripping account of the flu that rocked the nation and the city that fought back in the early days of epidemiology and public health Coughs and sneezes spread diseases Spitting equals death Spasms The sick hall "Do you see the Angels?" To the deadhouse Deeply cyanotic Vermin An uncanny population Under the Dogwood tree The destiny of Barium, Wilmer, Harriet, and other Philadelphians is threatened when the most severe flu epidemic is U.S. history fills hospitals--and cemeteries--to capacity in 1918 In 1918, fifteen-year-old Barium Epp and Dr. Wilmer Krusen watch helplessly as a severe flu epidemic hits Pennsylvania and fills hospitals and cemeteries.