Handy Health Guide to Asthma.

Silverstein, Alvin, Virginia Silverstein, and L. S. Nunn.   Handy Health Guide to Asthma.  Enslow  2014  48p   $21.53    ISBN 978-0-7660-4269-8  elem/ms  series: Handy Health Guides  Nonfiction  VG-BN   

This book, with its attractive cover and numerous color photos of young people who have to deal with the effects of asthma, shows that asthma does not have to slow people down as long as they get the needed treatment and try their best to avoid triggers for the condition.  While the disease can lead to hospitalization, this aspect is downplayed.  With proper diagnosis of the triggers, including possible food allergies, and proper medication, a person can live a nearly normal life.  There is an excellent explanation of the respiratory system and how it is affected by asthma.  Plenty of diagrams and photos accompany this section of the book, demonstrating the physical effects of asthma.   A glossary, index and lists for further reading complete the book.   

Handy Health Guides offer colorful photos and diagrams to explain common illnesses, their causes, their physical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.  They include excellent explanations of the body systems affected by illness. Grades 3-8.     

Summary: This book describes the causes, symptoms and treatment of asthma. It is filled with detailed diagrams of the respiratory system. It includes photos of a diverse youth population, and will satisfy report writers or those needing information for personal use. Gr 3-8.

Asthma                                                --Lois McNicol