Patient Zero: Solving the Mysteries of Deadly Epidemics - Hardcover

Peters, Marilee

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1554516714 ISBN 13: 9781554516711

Publisher: Annick Press, 2014

Synopsis

Engrossing true stories of the pioneers of epidemiology who risked their lives to find the source of deadly diseases. Throughout history, more people have died in disease epidemics than in wars or other disasters. The courageous, trail-blazing defenders against these diseases faced a terrifying personal gamble. Often they were ignored, laughed at, or even fired from their jobs. But they kept hunting for answers, putting the pieces of the epidemic puzzle together. As they looked for clues to the origin of a disease, scientists searched for the unknown “patient zero”—the first person to have contracted it. Patient Zero brilliantly brings to life the main characters and events to tell the gripping tale of how each of seven diseases spread. The result is spine-chilling as Peters follows the scientists who solved the intricate mystery of the killer epidemics. Patient Zero reminds us that millions of people owe their lives to the work of these pioneer epidemiologists, work that continues to this day.

About this title

About the Author

Marilee Peters is a former librarian who over the years has written about politics, theater, the environment, parenting, farming, and health, among other topics. This is her first book for children. She lives with her family in Vancouver, BC.

Reviews

Gr 5–8—Seven epidemics are fully explained here, starting with the Black Plague and ending with AIDS. The author gives each disease a human touch by introducing a perceived "ground zero" person who might have been responsible for spreading each disease. For example, New York City's Mary Mallon, aka Typhoid Mary, cuts quite a tragic figure. In part because of lax government supervision, she ended up dying while under forced quarantine. The book reads like thriller, with gripping accounts of how these diseases affected people. A sense of drama permeates this volume: there are mysteries to be solved here, and the fate of the world depends on the answers. Cartoon illustrations interspersed throughout break up the text, and several pages feature an arresting red background. Extensive source notes make this a fine source for report writers and any young epidemiology enthusiasts. An engaging and informative read.—Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

Edition details

• Publisher: Annick Press
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1554516714
• ISBN 13: 9781554516711
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 168