Calkins Creek, 2020
Ages 10 to adult
ISBN hardcover: 978-1-68437-176-1; ebook: 978-1-63592-334-6
The Civil War took the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans and left countless others with disabling wounds and chronic illnesses. Bullets and artillery shells shattered soldiers’ bodies, while microbes and parasites killed twice as many men as did the battles.
Yet out of this tragedy came medical progress. Doctors and nurses gained valuable experience treating the injured and sick. Military and medical officials recognized that proper sanitation in camps and hospitals could save lives. Improvements to the ambulance service and hospital system lowered the fatality rate.
With striking detail, Jarrow explores the science and grisly history of U.S. Civil War medicine, using actual medical cases and first-person accounts by soldiers, doctors, and nurses. This gripping book reveals battlefield rescues, surgical techniques, medicines, and patient care, at the same time celebrating the men and women of both the North and South who volunteered to save lives.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY:
2021 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 —National Science Teaching Association & Children’s Book Council
Kirkus Reviews Best Books for 2020 (Best Middle-Grade Nonfiction)
CCBC CHOICES Best of the Year List 2021—Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Best Children’s Books of the Year 2021, age 14+ —Bank Street College of Education
Charlotte Award Winner for Middle School 2023—New York State Reading Association
Orbis Pictus 2021 Recommended Book — National Council of Teachers of English
Excellence in Nonfiction Award Nominee 2021—YALSA/ALA
Jefferson Cup 2021 Honor Book — Virginia Library Association
Longlist for the 2022 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books
Best Informational Books for Older Readers of 2020—Chicago Public Library
Unanimous Recommendation for Grades 6-8 on the 2022 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Gems Reading List—Texas Library Association
Favorite True Story Finalist, Kids’ Book Choice Awards—Every Child a Reader & Children’s Book Council
Dogwood Readers Award Finalist—Missouri Association of School Librarians
Garden State Teen Book Award Nominee for Nonfiction, Grades 6-12—New Jersey Library Association.
Best Long Form Nonfiction Awards 2020—Nerdy Book Club
Junior Library Guild selection
“Outstanding backmatter, more typical of what might be found in fine adult nonfiction, rounds out this stellar presentation. A fascinating example of excellence in juvenile nonfiction.” — Kirkus Reviews ★
“The masterful use of personal accounts and the abundance of amazing visuals is due to Jarrow’s tremendous research.” —School Library Connection ★
“This first book in the Medical Fiascoes series confirms Jarrow’s ability to craft meticulous, page-turning informational texts that thoughtfully examine the history of modern medicine.” —Horn Book
“Archival photos on almost every page and sidebars about individual soldiers make the accounts personal and more harrowing. A time line and extensive online resources complete this masterful look at early medicine.”—Booklist
“Clearly captioned period photos give human faces to the statistics.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Jarrow debuts her Medical Fiascoes trilogy by skillfully narrating Civil War stories of soldiers who died not from bullets but from diseases…and of the doctors and nurses who tried to save them.” — Publishers Weekly
"A good choice for middle and high school teachers or librarians who want to update their history section with a lively and attention-grabbing resource.” —School Library Journal
"This is an essential book for middle school and high schools, especially when the Civil War is part of the curriculum.” — Ms. Yingling Reads, Books for the Middle Grades
“In an awesome blending of history and science, Gail Jarrow once again knocks it out of the park.” — Nerdy Book Club