Fever 1793 by Lauri Halse Anderson

Fourteen-year-old Mattie Cook awakes one stifling hot August morning unaware that her life will drastically change. Learning that her friend Polly has suddenly died, she is devastated. 1793 Philadelphia was the capital of the United States. President George Washington and his family have deserted the city of 40,000. The citizens were running out of food, dependent on the farmers who were afraid to bring their wares to the city market on the river and therefore did not come. Philadelphia was hot, humid and alive with mosquitos carrying the dreaded yellow fever. People were fleeing to the country side.

This is the tale of one young woman's abrupt entry into adult-hood; the death of thousands and how those who survived managed. An excellent rendition.