DEADLY DISEASES
Bubonic Panic Fatal Fever Red madness
The books in the DEADLY DISEASES TRILOGY discuss pandemics and outbreaks.
Check out Resources to learn more about how scientists solved the mysteries of plague, typhoid fever, and pellagra.
Read Gail's guest blog about writing the Deadly Diseases Trilogy--"The Mysterious, the Surprising, and the Gruesome."
BUBONIC PANIC: When Plague Invaded America
Calkins Creek, 2016
Ages 10 to adult
ISBN hardcover: 978-1-62091-738-1
ISBN ebook: 978-1-62979-562-1
Part of the Deadly Diseases Trilogy—Plague
Check out Gail’s blog post “A Pandemic Invades America—Plague.”
Listen to Gail discuss Bubonic Panic on the Out of Bounds Radio Program. Click here.
In March 1900, San Francisco's health department investigated a strange and horrible death in Chinatown. The man had died of bubonic plague. But how could that be possible? The deadly disease had never struck America before. Bubonic Panic tells the true story of plague as it spreads around the world and across the centuries to the shores of the United States. Meet the public health doctors who desperately fought to end America's first plague epidemic, the political leaders who tried to keep it hidden, and the brave scientists who uncovered the disease’s secrets.
What Reviewers Say:
Best Books of 2016—School Library Journal
Best Books for Teens/Best Teen Mysteries & Thrillers of 2016 —Kirkus Reviews
Eureka! Gold Award, 2016—California Reading Association
Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students, 2017—NSTA/CBC
Recommended, National Science Teaching Association
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for 2017—NCSS/CBC
CCBC Choices for 2017—Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Best Books for Teens, 2016—New York Public Library
Best Informational Books for Older Readers, 2016—Chicago Public Library
Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List 2018 (unanimous vote)—Texas Library Assn
Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Title
Best and Brightest Nonfiction Books of 2016—Denver Public Library
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee
Utah Children’s Literature Association, Beehive Award Nominee for Informational Books 2018
Best Nonfiction Books, 2016—Nonfiction Detectives
Bookends Favorites 2016—The Booklist Reader
Best Long Form Nonfiction 2016—Nerdy Book Club
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
Starred Review, School Library Journal
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
Junior Library Guild Selection
“Her gripping narrative balances the clock-racing work of scientists and officials attempting to understand and stop the plague with entwined themes of fear, prejudice, and anger.” ~Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Jarrow tells an absorbing story. Verdict: Nonfiction that reads like a thriller—not to be missed.” ~School Library Journal, Starred Review
“Jarrow’s detailed narrative and attention to the stories of the medical figures involved make this compelling reading…The level of research on display is impressive…A richly detailed exploration of a fascinating subject.” ~Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“Thoroughly researched and clearly presented…An informative book on an unusual topic.” ~Booklist
“Jarrow’s latest disease presentation…is appropriately broad in scope, deft in explanations, and sensitive in handling public health issues. A wealth of period and cringeworthy medical illustrations supplement the text.” ~Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Thorough and fascinating, complemented by a handsome book design... The book is an exemplary contribution to the genre of the history of science and medicine.” ~Horn Book
“Jarrow’s skill as a storyteller is superb. The photos, drawings, and interesting layout will keep readers, young and old, engaged and fascinated, turning pages as if reading a thriller.” ~Manhattan Book Review
FATAL FEVER: Tracking Down Typhoid Mary
Part of the Deadly Diseases Trilogy—TYPHOID FEVer
Calkins Creek, 2021 updated paperback; 2015 hardcover, ages 10 to adult
hardcover ISBN 978-1-62091-597-4 ebook ISBN 978-1-62979-060-2 pb ISBN 978-1-63592-515-9
UPDATED:
Paperback edition of FATAL FEVER with new BONUS chapter on the COVID-19 Pandemic. Read about the parallels with the subjects of the DEADLY DISEASES TRILOGY (typhoid fever, bubonic plague, and pellagra).
Gail's blog about writing the Deadly Diseases Trilogy--"The Mysterious, the Surprising, and the Gruesome."
Hear Gail discuss Fatal Fever on the Out of Bounds Radio Program. Click here.
Listen to Gail as she talks about writing Fatal Fever and reads an excerpt. Click here.
Typhoid fever is running rampant across America, striking down thousands of people. On a damp March morning in 1907, the dreaded disease pulls together three people at a New York City brownstone. Dr. George Soper, an epidemiologist, has traced an outbreak of typhoid fever to this house. Dr. S. Josephine Baker, a health department medical inspector, has been sent there to confront the suspected typhoid carrier. Mary Mallon, a cook for well-to-do New Yorkers, refuses to talk to either one of them. Her actions that day would lead to a notoriety that has lasted for more than a century.
This true medical detective story unfolds through first-person accounts, newspaper articles, and legal testimony. Illustrated with powerful photographs, period posters and cartoons, and archival documents.
What Reviewers Say:
California Reading Association Eureka! Gold Award
Excellence in Nonfiction Award Nominee 2016—YALSA-ALA
Blue Ribbons List 2015 for Nonfiction, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
CCBC Choices for 2016—Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Best Children’s Books of the Year, Outstanding Merit—Bank Street College of Education
Nonfiction Honor List 2016—VOYA
Best Science Books of 2015—International Literacy Association
Cybils 2015 Finalist for Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction
Nerdy Book Club Awards for Nonfiction 2015
Best of History book 2015—The Nonfiction Detectives
Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Books, Best of the Best
New York State 2016 Summer Reading List
Association for Library Service for Children (ALSC) 2016 & 2017 Summer Reading Lists
North Carolina School Library Media Association 2017-18 Battle of the Books List
Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee 2018—Arizona Library Assn
Junior Library Guild Selection
Starred Review, School Library Journal
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
Starred Review, Booklist
“A nonfiction page-turner relying upon extensive research and copious source notes, this is a fantastic addition to any library.” ~School Library Journal, Starred Review
“Lively writing uses primary sources to relate well-chosen, sometimes-gruesome details about the disease…This exploration pays tribute to the power of public health measures and raises questions about the ethics of protecting the public by quarantining someone like Mallon.” ~Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“The author’s extensive research results in a compelling narrative about the feared infection and the stubborn Mallon.” ~Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“The writing is lucid, well organized, and informative…Readers who are curious about Typhoid Mary…will find this an absorbing account of what actually happened.” ~Booklist, Starred Review
"Although the book is illustrated with numerous photographs, it’s the words that are the star of this show. Jarrow has written a suspenseful medical mystery for inquisitive readers." ~The Horn Book
“Jarrow follows the tribulation of the disease’s most notorious—and victimized—carrier, Mary Mallon, to reveal just how stubborn an issue public health can be, and how the rights of an individual can conflict with the welfare of the community.” ~Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Recommended
“[Jarrow] provides a wealth of historical and scientific information in a way that never slows the dramatic story…This is a visually compelling book with really terrific period photographs, newspaper articles and intriguing sidebars.” ~The Booklist Reader
”What really makes Jarrow’s book stand out is the writing. Jarrow, as she did in Red Madness, expertly weaves in historical details with scientific information to make this an exciting read.” ~The Nonfiction Detectives
“Reading Jarrow’s book, you see connections between the 1900 typhoid epidemic and our current need for better public health control of Ebola—not to mention the flu, SARS, measles, and other diseases.” ~Sally’s Bookshelf
“Right from the start, this medical history grips the reader and won’t let go.” ~Abby the Librarian
RED MADNESS: HOW A MEDICAL MYSTERY CHANGED WHAT WE EAT
Part of the Deadly Diseases Trilogy—Pellagra
Calkins Creek, 2015, ages 10 to adult
ISBN hardcover 978-1-59078-732-8 ebook ISBN 978-1-62979-215-6
Gail's blog about writing the Deadly Diseases Trilogy--"The Mysterious, the Surprising, and the Gruesome."
The year is 1902. A life-threatening disease called pellagra suddenly breaks out in the United States—“one of the most horrible, pitiful afflictions mankind has ever suffered.” American doctors have never seen it before. They don’t know how to treat or cure it. Even though the disease has struck down people in Europe for at least two centuries, the doctors there don’t have any answers either. Pellagra is a 200-year-old medical mystery.
This is the story of the physicians, researchers, and public health officials who struggled to stop America’s devastating epidemic. The quest involves orphans, dogs, and filth parties. It is marked by dead-ends, false clues, and tragedies. Before the scientific detectives finally succeed in solving this challenging mystery, panic grips the South as more than 3,000,000 people fall ill and tens of thousands die.
Illustrated with dozens of vivid archival photographs, RED MADNESS includes true accounts of pellagra victims and the researchers who fought to save them.
What Reviewers Say:
Jefferson Cup for Older Readers 2015—Virginia Library Association
Excellence in Nonfiction Award Nominee 2015—YALSA-ALA
Best Books of 2014—School Library Journal
Best STEM Books 2017—National Science Teaching Association and the Children’s Book Council
Best Children’s Books of the Year, Science—Bank Street College of Education
CCBC Choices for 2015—Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens 2015—Capitol Choices
Best Informational Books for Older Readers of 2014—Chicago Public Library
Cream of the Crop, 2015—Maine State Library
Best New Teen Books of 2014—Nebraska Library Commission
Top-selected title — Kansas State Reading Circle Commission
2014 Nerdy Awards for MG/YA Nonfiction
Best Kids’ Science Books of 2014—Scientists’ Bookshelf
Great Books for Children and Young Adults 2014—The Booklist Reader
Junior Library Guild Selection
Charlotte Award Final Ballot 2016—NY State Reading Association
Starred Review, School Library Journal
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
Recommended, National Science Teaching Association
Recommended, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“The attractive, red-highlighted design, lively narrative and compelling subject matter will resonate with readers.” ~Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“This title is descriptive and well researched, with a striking bold-red color scheme….This is an excellent addition to nonfiction collections in school and public libraries.” ~School Library Journal, Starred Review
“The author’s extensive research turns up personal stories within the story…These individual accounts create an urgent backdrop of suffering and death for the story of the epidemiological quest to find a cause and cure.” ~Publishers Weekly
“This captivating book reads like a detective story…The author’s impeccable research is revealed in the many case histories that portray the suffering people and their lives in vivid word pictures. The story is a wonderful example of how a scientific puzzle is solved. ~National Science Teachers Association Recommended
“Jarrow intersperses plenty of brief case histories and poignant photographs of sufferers throughout the text to keep the human interest angle as compelling as the medical mystery.” ~Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Recommended
“While the book’s main subject is epidemiological, it is also a case study on innumerable social issues of the day…A visually dramatic medical mystery, this is cross-curricular and of high interest.” ~Booklist