Koch, Falynn. Plagues: The Microscopic Battlefield.

Koch, Falynn. Plagues: The Microscopic Battlefield. Macmillan/First Second  2018  122p $12.99  ISBN 978-1-62672-752-6  elem/ms Nonfiction  VG-BN       

This is a beautifully illustrated and tastefully formatted book in which readers will learn about the various organisms that underlie the complexities of infections, diseases, immunity, and the ability humans must have to contain and treat diseases. This well-written book would make an excellent addition to any elementary or middle-school library.    

Summary: A great introduction to plagues and the worlds of disease and immunities in comic-book form. Readers will enjoy having a well-researched science book in graphic form.   

Disease                                                  --Linda McNeil

Gillard, Arthur Food-Borne Diseases

Gillard, Arthur           Food-Borne Diseases           

Cengage (Gale,Lucent,Kidhaven/Blackbirch  2011  153p           41.70 978-0-7377-5252-1           

hs/adult                     Perspectives on Diseases & Disorders(Gale/Cengage)     E-BNS

This book discusses three major aspects

of food-borne diseases: a description of them, controversies regarding them, and

personal histories with them.          This book brings together a rigorous

examination of food-borne diseases and the controversies surrounding them.  It

is aimed toward the high-school or college student who is doing research. 

Although brief, each article in the first two sections is written by an expert

whose credentials are stated in the preface to the individual article.  The last

section of the book, which deals with personal experiences, lends a ╥human touch╙

to the book, while also including some ╥fast facts╙ that will edify the topic. 

There is a glossary, a chronology, a list of organizations to contact, and a

fairly extensive list of references for further research, as well as a good

index.  Full-color photographs are well placed and attractive.    This book is part

of the series Perspectives on Diseases and Disorders.     Kennedy, Carol

Wyborny, Sheila. Tourette Syndrome

Wyborny, Sheila.        Tourette Syndrome  

Cengage (Gale,Lucent,Kidhaven/Blackbirch

2011   103p   25.03  978-1-4205-0280-0            

ms/hs             Diseases & Disorders#4(Lucent/Cengage)    VG-BN 

Although the Tourette Syndrome treatment chapter is

bogged down with clinical terms, the diagnosis of the disease, effects on family,

life with TS, and alternate therapies chapters are presented in engaging terms

and are understandable. Grades 6-12.      The symptoms of Tourette Syndrome (TS)

and coping mechanisms are presented in understandable terms as are chapters

dealing with effects on social, family, and school life. Even unconventional

treatments and current research programs are more easily understood than the

pharmaceutical  treatment options.  From barely noticeable tics to tics that

impact a TS person╒s way of life and sociability, the uniqueness of each

person╒s tics is emphasized in order to gain the best treatment option that will

allow the TS person to cope with and lessen the tics. The only detraction in

this book is the segment of the treatment chapter that lists the numerous

options for medication that  help control tics. These options are presented in

such a concise manner that the uninitiated will get lost in the medical jargon.

Diagrams of brain function and other charts are well placed to give a visual

representation of the text.  Numerous color photographs show students with TS in

normal situations. However, the cover shows a student cowering with his face in

his hand. This gives a negative image of TS for students picking up the book.

Yet, the coverage in the text shows hopeful insights on how a TS person can

interact with peers in a positive manner. Notes, glossary, organizations for TS,

further reading and index complete the book. Grades 6-12.      Diseases and Disorders

contains 40 titles on common ailments that students would research. Excellent

photos/charts compliment the text. Treatment, life with the illness, current

research, and personal narratives make this series an excellent research tool.

            McNicol,Lois

Jurmain, Suzanne. The Secret of the Yellow Death.

Jurmain, Suzanne. The Secret of the Yellow Death.
Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher 2009 104p 19.00
978-0-618-96581-6 ms/hs
Four Army doctors, led by Walter Reed, were charged with discovering the cause and the cure for this deadly disease before it completely decimated U.S. troops. The book unravels the mystery, chapter by chapter, and is filled with much primary source material, first-person accounts and letters, and period photographs and illustrations, that make their scientific search even more immediate to the reader. Yellow fever was, and is still, a major killer in many areas of the world where the Aedes aegypti mosquito thrives. When the United States defeated Spain in 1899, they took over the governance of the fever-ravaged island of Cuba. Four Army doctors, led by Walter Reed, were charged with discovering the cause and the cure for this deadly disease before it completely decimated the troops. Many theories about the cause of yellow fever abounded, from the bacteria responsible for hog cholera or the touch of disease-soiled items to bites of mosquitoes but nothing was actually known. It would be up to Reed and his team to find the answers. Each member was assigned a part of the project and it began as soon as they reached Cuba. The American doctors would collaborate with a Cuban physician who believed the disease was carried by mosquitoes, then an unpopular view. Written in vivid prose, this description of the race for cure is a fascinating account of what determined and brave men can do. The book unravels the mystery, chapter by chapter, and is filled with much primary source material, first-person accounts and letters, and period photographs and illustrations, that make their scientific search even more immediate to the reader. As the book continues, it delves into the rationale behind each part of the study and highlights the important information being gleaned. The courage shown by the medical staff and the volunteers was amazing given that the chances of death were very high and did, in fact, occur. Reed was the first doctor who truly demanded “informed consent” from his volunteers before he allowed them to participate. The book ends an appendix listing both the Spanish and American volunteers and medical staff, a glossary of scientific terminology, copious chapter notes and source material, a thorough bibliography, and an index. Pair this with Halse’s Fever, 1793 and Murphy’s An American Plague for more information. Ogintz, Susan