Virus Hunters
By Amy Cherrix, Read by Will Watt
Price: $7.99
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About the Book
A propulsive nonfiction look at the elite squads of scientists, doctors, and infectious disease experts who guard the boundary between public health and pandemics and how they gather data via boots on the ground “shoe-leather epidemiology” in order to save lives.
Perfect for fans of Steve Sheinkin and Deborah Heiligman!
Picture a detective. What comes to mind? A fast-talking private eye, interrogating a suspect? Or Sherlock Holmes, in his deerstalker hat, discovering clues to catch a killer?
Now imagine that the suspect isn’t a person but a microscopic menace—a deadly virus or bacteria making people sick. What kind of detective does it take to nab a biological assassin, invisible to the naked eye?
Just like detectives, epidemiologists—scientists who study how diseases emerge and spread—interview witnesses and gather clues to identify the cause of illness, locate those who are sick, and uncover the sources of outbreaks to stop them in their tracks.
From a quickly spreading cholera outbreak in 1880s London, to a mystery illness in New Mexico that stumped investigators, to the development of the vaccines to fight COVID-19 and more, join acclaimed author Amy Cherrix on a journey to explore the past, present, and future of virus hunting as the world’s greatest disease detectives race to crack the medical codes that lead to cures.
Product Details
Reviews
“In this thrilling work, […] Cherrix details instances of scientists identifying, tracking, and working to eradicate pandemic viruses as one would an Indiana Jones adventure. Each selection culminates in this highly educational work that reads like a gripping and timely whodunit.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Throughout these riveting profiles, we learn how health and science professionals cooperate, collaborate, and corroborate to develop increasingly effective vaccines; we also learn about the contributions of historically marginalized communities in these efforts.” — Horn Book (starred review)
“Optimistic, informative, and inspiring for future scientists.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Written with the intensity of the best true crime, Virus Hunters proves what we’ve suspected all along… scientists ARE action heroes. Readers won’t be able to put it down.” — Candace Fleming, Award-winning author of The Enigma Girls
“Virus Hunters reads like a face-paced action novel—I couldn’t put it down! From cholera to Covid-19, meet the disease detectives behind historic outbreaks and learn how these unsung heroes use science and perseverance to eradicate illness and create life-saving vaccines. Highly engaging and important in a time when misinformation also spreads like a virus. A must-read for future doctors and scientists.” — Lori Alexander, Sibert Honor-winning author of All in a Drop: How Antony VanLeeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World
PRAISE FOR IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: “A well-researched, detailed account of two leading engineers in the space race that raises questions about the human costs of war and propaganda…. Engrossing and painfully relevant.” — Kirkus Reviews
PRAISE FOR IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: “This comprehensive narrative nonfiction chronicle reveals the personalities and machinations behind the space race.… This rousing history testifies to both the romance and cost of technological advancement.” — Publishers Weekly
PRAISE FOR IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: “A book that reads, at times, like a Cold War spy novel…. Cherrix, who uses formerly classified documents as sources, excels in placing each advancement in its historical context, from the 1930s through the Apollo program…. This account reveals important truths in a style that will captivate teen readers.” — Booklist
PRAISE FOR IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: “The cherchez les hommes approach used so successfully by Steve Sheinkin in Bomb works just as effectively here, offering readers a brightly defined trail to follow through the morass of historical machination. YA history readers frustrated by an information gap between the race for the bomb and the race to the moon will find this the essential—and thrilling—infill they’ve missed.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
PRAISE FOR IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: “The text adds depth to the history of the space race, with thoughtful, ethical discussions of the U.S. concealing von Braun’s history to further its agenda…. An engaging, fast-paced narrative that will delight readers of history and space technology.” — School Library Journal
PRAISE FOR IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: “An explosive exposé on the scandals and lies behind the race to the moon! I learned so much I didn’t know. This exciting, fact-filled page-turner will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about the heroes and villains of the Soviet-American Space Race.” — Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Allies and Refugee
PRAISE FOR IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: “This is a fascinating and complex story I knew nothing about! I learned so much, and I know readers will, too.” — Deborah Heiligman, award-winning author of Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of “The Children’s Ship”
About the Book
A propulsive nonfiction look at the elite squads of scientists, doctors, and infectious disease experts who guard the boundary between public health and pandemics and how they gather data via boots on the ground “shoe-leather epidemiology” in order to save lives.
Perfect for fans of Steve Sheinkin and Deborah Heiligman!
Picture a detective. What comes to mind? A fast-talking private eye, interrogating a suspect? Or Sherlock Holmes, in his deerstalker hat, discovering clues to catch a killer?
Now imagine that the suspect isn’t a person but a microscopic menace—a deadly virus or bacteria making people sick. What kind of detective does it take to nab a biological assassin, invisible to the naked eye?
Just like detectives, epidemiologists—scientists who study how diseases emerge and spread—interview witnesses and gather clues to identify the cause of illness, locate those who are sick, and uncover the sources of outbreaks to stop them in their tracks.
From a quickly spreading cholera outbreak in 1880s London, to a mystery illness in New Mexico that stumped investigators, to the development of the vaccines to fight COVID-19 and more, join acclaimed author Amy Cherrix on a journey to explore the past, present, and future of virus hunting as the world’s greatest disease detectives race to crack the medical codes that lead to cures.
Product Details
Reviews
“In this thrilling work, […] Cherrix details instances of scientists identifying, tracking, and working to eradicate pandemic viruses as one would an Indiana Jones adventure. Each selection culminates in this highly educational work that reads like a gripping and timely whodunit.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Throughout these riveting profiles, we learn how health and science professionals cooperate, collaborate, and corroborate to develop increasingly effective vaccines; we also learn about the contributions of historically marginalized communities in these efforts.” — Horn Book (starred review)
“Optimistic, informative, and inspiring for future scientists.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Written with the intensity of the best true crime, Virus Hunters proves what we’ve suspected all along… scientists ARE action heroes. Readers won’t be able to put it down.” — Candace Fleming, Award-winning author of The Enigma Girls
“Virus Hunters reads like a face-paced action novel—I couldn’t put it down! From cholera to Covid-19, meet the disease detectives behind historic outbreaks and learn how these unsung heroes use science and perseverance to eradicate illness and create life-saving vaccines. Highly engaging and important in a time when misinformation also spreads like a virus. A must-read for future doctors and scientists.” — Lori Alexander, Sibert Honor-winning author of All in a Drop: How Antony VanLeeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World
PRAISE FOR IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: “A well-researched, detailed account of two leading engineers in the space race that raises questions about the human costs of war and propaganda…. Engrossing and painfully relevant.” — Kirkus Reviews
PRAISE FOR IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: “This comprehensive narrative nonfiction chronicle reveals the personalities and machinations behind the space race.… This rousing history testifies to both the romance and cost of technological advancement.” — Publishers Weekly
PRAISE FOR IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: “A book that reads, at times, like a Cold War spy novel…. Cherrix, who uses formerly classified documents as sources, excels in placing each advancement in its historical context, from the 1930s through the Apollo program…. This account reveals important truths in a style that will captivate teen readers.” — Booklist
PRAISE FOR IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: “The cherchez les hommes approach used so successfully by Steve Sheinkin in Bomb works just as effectively here, offering readers a brightly defined trail to follow through the morass of historical machination. YA history readers frustrated by an information gap between the race for the bomb and the race to the moon will find this the essential—and thrilling—infill they’ve missed.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
PRAISE FOR IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: “The text adds depth to the history of the space race, with thoughtful, ethical discussions of the U.S. concealing von Braun’s history to further its agenda…. An engaging, fast-paced narrative that will delight readers of history and space technology.” — School Library Journal
PRAISE FOR IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: “An explosive exposé on the scandals and lies behind the race to the moon! I learned so much I didn’t know. This exciting, fact-filled page-turner will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about the heroes and villains of the Soviet-American Space Race.” — Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Allies and Refugee
PRAISE FOR IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: “This is a fascinating and complex story I knew nothing about! I learned so much, and I know readers will, too.” — Deborah Heiligman, award-winning author of Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of “The Children’s Ship”