Ebola

August 1, 2015

Gr 4-8-Claiming the lives of thousands, the Ebola epidemic of 2014 had devastating consequences for three countries in Western Africa and transfixed the world. With straightforward language and eye-catching photographs, maps, and charts on almost every page, this work tells the distressing story of Ebola. Like many other infectious diseases, Ebola crosses from animals to humans. Highly contagious, it is difficult to contain. Newman describes the first emergence of the disease in 1976 and then traces the path of the virus during the 2014 outbreak, beginning with Patient Zero, two-year-old Emile Ouamouno from Guinea. The author discusses the doctors and nurses, as well as other workers and volunteers on the front line, who worked tirelessly, braving stigma and fear to aid the sick and contain the outbreak. Newman also addresses preventative measures, the development of drugs to combat the disease, the fear of an outbreak in the United States, and our responsibility as global citizens to aid poorer countries. Titles that provide up-to-the-moment information run the risk of becoming outdated quickly. To counter that potential problem, Newman supplies websites from organizations such as the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States Agency for International Development, and Doctors Without Borders, which will keep readers updated with the latest material available on Ebola. VERDICT Breaking new ground, Newman has written a truly excellent book for middle grade students that tackles the terrifying specter of Ebola. As the title suggests, readers will come away with more facts and less fears.-Ragan O'Malley, Saint Ann's School, Brooklyn, NY

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2015
This brief overview of the history and nature of this deadly disease offers readers context for recent news headlines. Named for a long, winding river in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Ebola virus first appeared in 1976, killing over 100 people. Since the first outbreak, Ebola has appeared in central Africa without warning and at no consistent intervals. It seems to reappear in villages after some significant disturbance in the jungle, such as brush clearing or hunting. Newman explains how subsequent outbreaks have enabled scientists to identify patterns of Ebola symptoms and how the disease is transmitted. There is discussion of the limited options for treatment of infected people and the potential risks to health care workers treating victims. A good deal of attention is devoted to the most recent outbreak, which Newman compares and contrasts with notable outbreaks of other diseases, such as the 1918 flu pandemic, SARS, and bird flu, a strategy intended to alleviate fears readers may have. Good advice is offered on how readers can judge the reliability of information they see about widely reported stories such as the recent Ebola outbreak. Newman concludes with a list of frequently asked questions. A well-organized, informative overview. (diagrams, maps, photos, glossary, source notes, bibliography, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)

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Starred review from October 1, 2015
Grades 6-9 *Starred Review* Identified fewer than 40 years ago by scientists and health workers, Ebola is still misunderstood by much of the general public. Newman's level-headed, clearly written title, which reads like a well-researched and in-depth journal article, covers many aspects of the disease, from the structure of the virus and its possible origins to symptoms and how it spreads. Newman also covers very recent developments, including the overblown panic in the U.S. after several Ebola cases emerged in American hospitals in 2014. Large color photos, both current and historical, show workers in the field and survivors, and diagrams, maps, and tables offer succinct access to the facts. With persuasive insight, Newman discusses prevention efforts, economic circumstances that breed conditions perfect for outbreaks, moving stories of families affected by the disease, and the importance of approaching media reportsparticularly in the U.S.with critical-thinking skills. Incredibly up-to-date, sobering, and sensibly written, this multidisciplinary approach to a timely, important topic will be a practical addition to both public and school libraries, not only for reports on the disease or public health but also as a primer on media literacy. Excellent resources and comprehensive source notes close out the volume.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)