Strange Medicine

April 1, 2017
Gr 3-6-Fans of gross-out reads won't be disappointed by this latest entry in the popular genre. Taking readers on a journey through history, this set explores the diseases that have plagued humanity for millennia as well as the quacks and so-called healers whose horrific -cures- were often more dangerous than the illnesses they were treating. Rather than a lengthy narrative where details can get lost, two to three bite-size kernels of information appear on each page, accompanied by catchy titles like -Stinky Streets- (Plague!) and -Sweet Pees- (Strange) that immediately capture readers' interest, encourage browsing, and lend a bit of humor to the subject. The accompanying cartoon illustrations complement the text by providing a bit of whimsy and visual interest to each entry. VERDICT Reluctant readers, history enthusiasts, and trivia buffs are but a few of the kids who will enjoy the content in these repulsive reads.

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2017
Grades 3-5 What do dried seahorses, pickled scorpions, and roast kittens have in common? As once accepted antidotes to seizures, wheezing, and even jaundice, these centuries-old remedies grace the pages of this spry entry in the Sickening History of Medicine series. Though chapters are short (two pages each), Farndon covers much ground, briskly tackling the origins of pharmacy (in ancient Egypt, Greece, and China); groundbreaking guidebooks (Islamic scientist Jabir ibn Hayyan's Book of Poisons); apothecary anomalies (snail slime); and pivotal discoveries (penicillin). All the while, Dean's cartoonish illustrations, including an adorably anthropomorphic mandrake and an animal-adorned witch, bolster the book's jaunty tone. Though sometimes fragmented, bite-size blurbs of text make this read more cursory than comprehensive, the playful presentation, appended with a time line, glossary, and index, is sure to pique the interest of history-hungry youngsters.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)