AIDS: How It Works in the Body (First Book)

Examines how the AIDS virus invades the body and affects its immune system

Grade 5-9-- Greenberg does an excellent job of explaining AIDS. Its history, means of infection, symptoms, treatment, prevention, and outlook for AIDS victims are well covered in short chapters. The spread of HIV via several routes, including sexual transmission, is treated frankly, but briefly. Emphasis is placed on understanding all aspects of the disease and avoiding risky behavior as clearly defined in the text. Some sections, of necessity, contain scientific terms or explanations that may be difficult for the intended age level to understand. To help with them, Greenberg often explains technical words in parentheses immediately following their use and provides a glossary. The presentation is greatly enhanced by high-quality full-color illustrations, mostly electron micrographs; they are among the best seen in current books on this topic. Browsers will find this easy to look at, while report writers will find current straightforward information, including a list of other print sources and hotlines. --Sue A. Norkeliunas, Arlington Senior High School, LaGrangeville, NY:
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A new ``First Book,'' graced with large print, well-explicated color photos, and comprehensible scientific explanations. With clarity and accuracy--no simple task--Greenberg explains the causes, transmission, diagnosis, and lines of defense against the virus. Along the way, he includes interesting facts (e.g., viruses are so small that they're measured in nanometers--billionths of a meter), plus information on current research toward arrest and cure that gives a hopeful tone. There's an especially nice photo of a healthy child in a day-care center playing with and touching an HIV-infected infant. Glossary; bibliography; resources; index. (Nonfiction. 10-14) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.