THE POISON EATERS: FIGHTING DANGER AND FRAUD IN OUR FOOD AND DRUGS
THE STORY OF THE FDA (the Food and drug administration)
Calkins Creek, 2019
Ages 10 to adult
ISBN hardcover: 978-1-62979-438-9; ebook: 978-1-68437-895-1
THE INTRIGUING TRUE STORY BEHIND THE CREATION OF
THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, OR FDA
Formaldehyde, borax, salicylic acid. Today these chemicals are used in embalming fluids, cleaning supplies, and acne medications. But in 1900, they were routinely added to food that Americans ate from cans and jars. Often products weren’t safe because unregulated, unethical companies added these and other chemicals to trick consumers into buying spoiled food or harmful medicines.
Chemist Harvey Washington Wiley recognized these dangers and began a relentless thirty-year campaign to ensure that consumers could purchase safe food and drugs, eventually leading to the creation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA.
In this nonfiction title for ages 10-14, Jarrow reveals this intriguing history in her trademark style that makes the past enthrallingly relevant for today’s young readers.
What Reviewers Say:
Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Honor Book—National Council of Teachers of English
Notable Children’s Books 2020, Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC/ALA)
Excellence in Nonfiction Award Nominee—YALSA/ALA
Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students 2020—National Science Teaching Association and Children’s Book Council
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2020—National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council
Best Children’s Books of 2019 — Bank Street College of Education
Best Middle-Grade Books of 2019—Kirkus Reviews
2019 Blue Ribbons List—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Editors’ Choice: Books For Youth, 2019—Booklist
Lasting Connections of 2019, Top 30—Book Links
Best Children’s Books of 2019—Washington Post
CCBC CHOICES Best of the Year List 2020—Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Eureka! Honor Award—California Reading Association
Best Informational Books for Older Readers of 2019—Chicago Public Library
Texas Topaz Nonfiction Gems Reading List 2021—Texas Library Association
Dogwood Readers Award Finalist—Missouri Association of School Librarians
Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens 2020—Capitol Choices
Best of 2019—Nonfiction Detectives
2019 Nonfiction for Older Readers list & 2019 American History list—Fuse#8
2019 Nerdies: Long Form Nonfiction—Nerdy Book Club
2019 Finalist in Jr. High Nonfiction—Cybils Awards
Junior Library Guild selection
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
Starred Review, Booklist
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
Highly Recommended, School Library Connection
Starred Review, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Starred Review, Shelf Awareness
★“Revolting and riveting in turns, Jarrow's masterfully crafted narrative will fundamentally alter how readers view their food. Though laced with toxins, this is anything but toxic." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★"Beneath a skull-and-crossed-utensils cover, Jarrow unleashes the Poison Squad as part of her fascinating, stomach-churning account of Harvey Washington Wiley’s crusade for food safety standards and regulation in the U.S." —Booklist, starred review
★”A provocative chapter title ‘Embalmed Bees and Other Delicacies’ opens this riveting chronicle from Jarrow…[A] fine classroom resource and an excellent addition to any collection.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review
★”Gail Jarrow has created an excellent reference book about a little-regarded topic that will be useful to classes learning about science, American history, and government.” — School Library Connection, highly recommended
★ “The no-nonsense tone mixes with a wealth of riveting anecdotes to create a surprisingly heady brew of consumer history.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review
★”Startling, informative and fascinating.” — Shelf Awareness, starred review
“With detailed descriptions of revolting food-production standards and dangerously uncontrolled medications, Jarrow captivates readers with a history of food and drug regulation. Recommended for nonfiction readers and anyone interested in what they are eating.” — School Library Journal
“Gail Jarrow’s thoroughly researched book—illustrated with informative historical documents like misleading advertisements—shows how Wiley’s scientific approach helped lead to the creation of the Food and Drug Administration.” — Washington Post
“It’s a fascinating horror story and an important study of real-life heroes who stood up and fought for government intervention on behalf of the American people.” — Horn Book
“Gail Jarrow is the master of blending science, history and government policy into a fascinating nonfiction read for tweens and teens.” — The Nonfiction Detectives
“Just about the most fascinating story you’ll encounter all year. Weirdly thrilling and terrifying by turns.” —Fuse#8