Fever 1793, by Laurie Halse Anderson

   This book is a great summer read for kids between 5th and 6th grade because it takes place during colonial times in Philadelphia, the U.S. capital at the time of the story. After finishing 5th grade, kids have enough background knowledge about this time for the story to make sense.  

One of the things I really like about this book is that it has several authentic components: the yellow fever epidemic of 1793, the battle of the doctors, the first hot air balloon in the United States, the Free African Society, and the popularity of coffeehouses. The author recreates the fear and panic of the situation without going overboard with gross details.

Usually, I take a while to read a book, but I read this book in two sittings because I just couldn't put it down!