Home → Book Reviews

Fatal Fever: Tracking Down Typhoid Mary

Fatal Fever: Tracking Down Typhoid Mary

Reviewed by: Karen Silverman - Scarborough High School/Scarborough Middle School, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 16, 2015

Review

Centered on the life of Mary "Typhoid Mary" Mallon, who carried the typhoid bacterium while never sick herself, this fascinating account of a medical mystery and the development of public health programs in the US is a tour de force. Meticulously researched with extensive source notes and bibliography, this book will give students great fodder for further research and discussion. Mary Mallon was basically imprisoned for much of her life by the New York City Department of Health while other "healthy carriers" caused more outbreaks and deaths than Mary did. Extensively details the outbreak in Ithaca, NY, George Soper's role as outbreak researcher and public sanitation reformer, and Josephine Baker's role as a public health doctor and expert in improving the health of children. It is a bit chilling to realize that even today, people are still suffering from typhoid. A very important reminder to always wash your hands! Second in a planned trilogy on deadly diseases.

Overall Book Score: excellent

About the Book

Author:

Jarrow, Gail

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Calkins Creek (Highlights)

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades 4-6,grades 7-9

Binding Type: Choose Binding Type

Binding Quality: excellent

ISBN: 9781620915974

Price: 16.95

Dragons at Crumbling Castle and Other Tales

Dragons at Crumbling Castle and Other Tales

Reviewed by: Karen Silverman - Scarborough High School/Scarborough Middle School, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 16, 2015

Review

This collection of never published stories from Terry Pratchett is great fun. The stories featuring dragons, kings, carpet people, and even Santa Claus are as silly as you might expect from Sir Terry and feel charming and youthful. Pratchett was young and working as a junior reporter when he wrote these stories. A wonderful introduction to the worlds of Terry Pratchett with hints of the greatness to come. The delightful illustrations greatly enhance the stories -- several reviews have likened illustrator Mark Beech to Roald Dahl's illustrator Quentin Blake.

Overall Book Score: very good

About the Book

Author:

Pratchett, Terry

Illustrator: Beech, Mark

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Clarion Books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: fantasy

Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6,grades 7-9

Binding Type: Choose Binding Type

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780544466593

Price: 16.99

Denton Little's Death Date

Denton Little's Death Date

Reviewed by: Karen Silverman - Scarborough High School/Scarborough Middle School, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 16, 2015

Review

Denton Little lives in a world where everyone (well, almost everyone) knows the day they will die from a young age thanks to the field of "AstroThanatoGenetics." Denton manages to pack a lot in during his last day -- waking up hung over not remembering his first sexual encounter, fighting and making up with his girlfriend, learning his best friend's mother has a secret, and almost being run over by a yellow car that keeps appearing out of nowhere. He is the main event at his own funeral and even attends his senior prom. This is a funny, fast-paced romp and at the risk of spoiling things, a sequel is possibly scheduled for spring 2016 (publication delayed according to Titlewave).

Overall Book Score: very good

About the Book

Author:

Rubin, Lance

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Knopf

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: science fiction

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: Choose Binding Type

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780553496963

Price: 17.99

The Way to Stay in Destiny

The Way to Stay in Destiny

Reviewed by: Karen Silverman - Scarborough High School/Scarborough Middle School, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 16, 2015

Review

This is a sweet coming-of-age story of Theo (named for Thelonious Monk) whose life takes an abrupt turn when his grandparents can no longer take care of him. His estranged-from-the-family uncle shows up and whisks sixth-grader Theo from the family farm in Kentucky and takes him to Destiny, Florida. In Destiny, Theo learns more about his family, begins piano lessons despite his uncle's edict not to play, makes a new friend, and explores the history of Destiny, including a possible connection to Hank Aaron. Theo is such an earnest, sweet character, that he even manages to break through a bit to his Uncle by the end. With snippets of historical context thrown in, this book could lead to some excellent discussions of the Vietnam War and treatment of returning soldiers, race relations, and family issues.

Overall Book Score: excellent