The Horn Book Guide

TECHNOLOGY

Jurmain, Suzanne

The Secret of the Yellow Death: A True Story of Medical Sleuthing

104 pp. | Houghton | September, 2009 | Trade ISBN 978-0-618-96581-6 $19.00

(2) 4-6 In this dramatic medical history, Jurmain documents the efforts of researchers in 1900 Cuba to prove or disprove the "mosquito theory" of yellow fever's transmission--by contracting the disease themselves. Above all, it's a thrilling account of the scientific process in action and of how conducting good science can involve personal risk. The succinct chapters are generously illustrated with period photos. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2009