In Invincible Microbe,
Jim Murphy and his wife Alison Blank chronicle the history of one of the
greatest killers in world history: tuberculosis. They trace TB back to microorganisms in African soil and water 3 million years
ago and follow it to the frightening drug-resistant strains of the disease that
threaten us today. Along the way,
they explain how TB attacks the body, how it is spread, and the bizarre
attempts throughout history of treating the disease. Murphy and Blank make excellent use photographs and
first-hand accounts to enrich the narrative. Readers obtain a complete picture
of how tuberculosis has impacted society and what having the disease is like
for the individual.
Jim Murphy is a seasoned non-fiction writer. In his books American Plague, Truce, Blizzard and The Real Benedict Arnold he has shown that he can both inform and
engage young readers. Invincible Microbe continues the
trend. He and Alison Blank have
crafted a fascinating tale that sustains younger readers’ interest. They provide just enough information to
thoroughly educate the reader without becoming to dull. This book would work very well for
classrooms looking for STEM titles. Students will enjoy discussing the various
attempts to cure tuberculosis, and they can debate what needs to be done to
combat the disease today.
4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for grades 5 and up
No comments:
Post a Comment