Pandemic

June 1, 2018

Gr 7 Up-Goldsmith explores pandemics and their origins, beginning with recent scares and outbreaks that have dominated the news cycle such as the Zika virus and Ebola. The author then moves to the Black Death in the Middle Ages and the early 20th-century flu epidemic and outlines a history of pandemics over time while explaining the science. As a result, this is a scary book. Readers are given detailed information on how climate change and other environmental factors are creating opportunities for superbugs and bacteria to cause an increase in the chances for a potentially contagious illness. The final chapter, "Preventing a Pandemic," gives readers an overview of which activities they can change in their lives to prevent a worldwide outbreak. Goldsmith's writing is accessible and explains scientific terminology throughout. Nearly every spread contains a full-color photograph or diagram. VERDICT Current and detailed, this is an ideal fit for middle and high school libraries.-Kevin McGuire, Woodland Hills School District, PA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 15, 2018
Experts predict the next pandemic will hit humanity in the coming two to three decades, possibly sooner: What will it be?Science writer and nurse Goldsmith (Addiction and Overdose, 2017, etc.) tackles the world of deadly viruses in her latest volume, outlining many of the exacerbating factors. These include increased travel, climate change, destruction of animal habitats, human conflict and overcrowding, and the overuse of antibiotics. The author is frank in explaining that these human activities that contribute to the risk of another pandemic--quite possibly influenza--are unlikely to change in the near future. She dedicates the final section of the book to covering the plans international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, are setting in place. These strategies vary from the expected (developing new vaccines) to the eye-opening (creating genetically modified mosquitos to combat dengue fever). Ending on a hopeful note, the book describes what readers can do to help. Origin stories about various outbreaks successfully break up the narrative, which takes a matter-of-fact tone when describing subjects that can easily be sensationalized. Frequent text boxes, color photographs, and diagrams provide additional material without disrupting the general flow.An informative, readable text that will appeal to those interested in the subject as well as students seeking material for reports. (source notes, glossary, bibliography, further resources, index) (Nonfiction. 12-17)

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June 1, 2018
Grades 4-6 The bubonic plague might seem like ancient history, but this book lays out for young researchers the factors which created that famous pandemic, and which factors in our world are contributing to the possible arrival of a new pandemic (which, incidentally, epidemiologists believe will strike in the next 30 years). After explaining the difference between an outbreak, an endemic, an epidemic, and a pandemic, the book presents case studies of (mainly recent) global health crises and the likelihood that they will lead to a new pandemic. Included in the discussion is how modern issues such as increased global air travel, loss of animal habitats, and increased reliance on antibiotics are contributing to the likelihood of an emerging pandemic. The book is full of scientific and medical detail, all of which is well explained within the text, though it is on the dry side. There is a lot to alternately fascinate and frighten. Source notes, a glossary, selected bibliography, index, and four pages of further information sources round out this report-ready resource.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)