Sick in the 16th Century.

Senior, Kathryn.  Sick in the 16th Century.  Scholastic/ Childrens Press      2014  35p   $29.00  ISBN 978-0-531-21176-2  elem/ms     series:  You Wouldn't Want to Be  Nonfiction, Humor  E-BNS

     

This book provides a frequently humorous look at the practice of medicine in 16th-century Europe.     What a fun book, and a great way to learn about the butchery of medicine in the 16th century.  So many interesting tidbits are here, such as the differences among the “four humors” and information about the rudimentary prosthetics that were available.  Who knew?

The illustrations, with their associated quips and informational captions, enhance the text.  Each double-page spread covers a specific aspect of 16th-century medicine, and includes not just the text and illustrations, but also a “Handy Hint” that can be read as a point to be remembered.  While some are also a tad sarcastic, all are valid.  Very fun!  The book concludes with a glossary and an index.

The You Wouldn’t Want to Be series now comprises many historical titles.  Each is engagingly illustrated and written, and while intended for elementary and middle-school students, would be fun reads for all ages.

Summary:  This is a frequently humorous look at the practice of medicine in 16th-century Europe.      What a fun book, and a great way to learn about the butchery of medicine in the 16th century.       

Medicine-History                                      --Lynn Fisher

Graham, Ian. You Wouldn’t Want to be Sir Issac Newton.

Graham, Ian.  You Wouldn’t Want to be Sir Issac Newton.  Scholastic/Watts     2013  35p   $29.00  ISBN 978-0-531-25943-6      elm/ms  series: You Wouldn't Want to Be E-BN   

This is a most delightful and informative biography of Sir Isaac Newton from his birth and early school days through his death in 1727. Some of the less commonly known bits of information included are his dabbling into alchemy, his position with the British mint, and his apparently nasty personality.  What a fun book, and a great way to learn about such an historical, scientific figure. Here are some things I found I did not know about Sir Isaac Newton: he spent many of his formative years with his grandmother, having been left with her by his mother for a new husband; that he became involved with the Royal Mint; and that he was evidently a most obnoxious man.  Who knew?  The illustrations, with their associated quips and bits of information, accompany and enhance the associated text. Each double-page spread covers a specific aspect of Newton’s life or work, and includes not just the text and illustrations, but also a ‘Handy Hint” that can be read as a point to be remembered. While some of the “handy hints” are also a tad sarcastic, all are valid.  Lots of fun!  The book concludes with a glossary and an index.      The You Wouldn’t Want to Be series is now comprised of 37 titles.  Each one is engagingly illustrated and written and, while aimed at  elementary and middle-school students, would be fun reads for all ages.

Newton, Isaac, 1642-1727                                          --Lynn Fisher

Morley, Jacqueline. You Wouldn’t Want to be Cursed by King Tut!

Morley, Jacqueline.     You Wouldn’t Want to be Cursed by King Tut!     Scholastic/ Watts 32p   $20.35  978-0-531-20874-8      elem  Series: You Wouldn't Want to Be (Scholastic/Watts)    VG         

Elementary students who enjoy reading about mummies, Egypt, or Egyptian tombs will appreciate this new title on King Tut.  Humorous illustrations, captions, and sidebars describe possibility of being cursed by King Tut of Egypt long after his death occurred in 1323 B.C.  Readers discover that the burial place of an Egyptian king, known as King Tutankhamen, was undisturbed for over three thousand years, surrounded by treasures and gold.  The rumors of an ancient curse on anyone who disturbed his tomb are discussed in great detail.  The discovery of his tomb in 1922 by Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter is also discussed.  Little is known about King Tut, and he was just eighteen when he died.  When Egyptian pharaohs or kings die, their bodies are mummified and preserved through embalming.  King Tut died suddenly, and because of his early death no tomb was ready for him.  It is possible that he was buried in a borrowed tomb.  Students learn about the Egyptian burials of kings, the rituals of burial, and the problems of intruders on the deceased.  When Lord Carnarvon dies, along with his dog, and the family experiences some unusual situations, reporters start to believe the ancient curse of King Tut.  Readers learn that in 1968 the mummy was x-rayed and that it underwent a CT scan in 2005.

The book includes color illustrations, handy hints, a glossary of terms, and an index.  Each title in the series You Wouldn’t Want to Be explores an event or tribulation experienced in the past.  Forty-eight titles have been published to date as of this review.  The series would make a great addition to an elementary library’s collection for reports and casual reading.  -- Charleen Forba-Mayer