The Flu Epidemic Diary of Fiona Macgregor
Toronto, Ontario, 1918
by Jean Little
ISBN: 978-0-439-98837-3 Hardcover
240 pages
Ages 9-12
5 ˝" x 7 5/8"
Fiona comes from a large and loving family where she, her older sisters and her mother are all twins. But soon her loving family is torn apart as the Spanish flu is brought to Canada by soldiers returning from fighting overseas in World War I. Fiona turns to her diary, pouring out her fears as her sisters fall ill with the deadly disease. Will Fee lose those dear to her?
An Excerpt from Fiona's Diary
Home
My bones were right. Fanny is here. She is alive but terribly ill. She got brought home from Aunt Jessica’s a week or so ago because their son George caught the Flu and was sent home from university. We don’t know how he is today. But Fanny got feverish a few days after she arrived home. Soon after that, she was burning up. Grandmother, who likes to make things sound as bad as possible, told me this and added that the doctor said fever was the first stage of the Flu. Next Fanny would start choking on phlegm and come down with pneumonia. “I am sorry to have to tell you this, Fiona, but you need to be prepared,” she began. “There isn’t much hope . . . ”
I pushed her out of the way, Jane, and rushed up to our room. They said I must not go in but Fanny fixed that by calling out my name in a hoarse voice. I marched right past Aunt, who was doing her best to stop me in my tracks. I did not take time to think. I just did what I knew I should.
The worst moment, almost, was when I came to her bedside and she did not know me. She stared at me with big glassy eyes and called out, “Fee. I need Fee.”
I wanted to hug her but Aunt would not let me get close until I put on a mask. She wears one every time she goes near Fan. Of course, I did not look like myself in the mask, but at last she knew my voice and gripped my hands with her thin fingers. Oh, Jane, her pretty hands are like claws.
They tried to order me out but Fanny cried out for me again. It was terrible. She seemed to quiet a bit while I held her hands in mine. Aunt still tried to argue with me but she is too tired to do battle. Theo is not allowed even in the doorway of her room.
The doctor told us he thought Fanny was nearing the crisis. “It might be tonight,” he said. “Once their faces . . . ”
He did not finish but it was bad news, I could tell. Her face had turned a greyish colour. He sounded so like the doctor in Little Women, but this is not just a story.
Jane, I sit here in Fanny’s room. I can hardly bear to look at her. She is grey and her breath rasps and gurgles and wheezes. She has lost pounds. Her face is all hollow and a dark colour. A bluish grey. That is one of the symptoms of this Flu, Aunt said. Nobody is saying the word but we all know. So many have died, but not my Fan. I will not leave her whatever anyone says. I am giving her some of my strength. I can’t make them understand, Jane, but I must stay or she might leave me. I vow, here and now, that I will not let her go.
From Dear Canada: If I Die Before I Wake. Text copyright © 2007 by Jean Little. All rights reserved.
"This book was amazing!!! Like the other two written by Jean Little, this one is a definite favourite! I never cry when reading, but this one really tore my heart out. I hope Jean writes another!!!!"
Rachelle B., Age 13, British Columbia, Rating: 10
"I looooooove this book. If I Die Before I Wake was vivid, amusing, funny, exciting. I read this book every day. I can't get enough of this book."
Elizabeth C., Age 9, U.S.A, Rating: 10
"I am just reading this book, and so far it is great. The best book ever made. Except of course my diary!!!"
Penny P, Age 11, Ontario, Rating: 10
"I got this book in early February through my school. I read it, and it’s great! Sad, really sad, but really good! Jean Little has outdone herself yet again! :)"
Jasmine R., Age 11, Ontario
"I bought this book because all the other Dear Canada books were really interesting and knowledgeable. It only took me a few days to read this because I could not put it down. I thought this book was very well written. The book was cheerful at some parts and very sad at others. It is a wonderful book, and I think anyone who has read this book will agree. "
Jordy S., Age 13, Ontario, Rating: 10
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