News & Media
Exploring Gail Jarrow’s Medical Fiascoes Series
Award-winning author Gail Jarrow is known for bringing history to vivid life with gripping nonfiction narratives, and the books in her Medical Fiascoes series are a perfect example. This riveting series of books for young readers ages 10 and up uncover the strange, fascinating, and often terrifying moments in medical history when science, politics, and human error collided—with lasting consequences.
White House Secrets
In White House Secrets—the newest titles in the Medical Fiascoes series—Jarrow pulls back the curtain on the hidden medical histories of U.S. presidents.
Did you know President Woodrow Wilson suffered a paralyzing stroke that his wife and doctors concealed for months? Or that Mrs. Wilson took total charge of his presidential duties? Neither did the American public. Did you know President John F. Kennedy suffered from Addison’s disease and was heavily medicated for years? Neither did most people. Too often when a president is sick or dying, he and the people around him have hidden his condition from the public, wanting to project an image of strength and power.
White House Secrets provides the historical context to help young readers understand issues of media literacy and presidential candor that are more relevant than ever in the 21st century.
★ “History lovers and budding political enthusiasts will enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at presidential history.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“Reveals secrets and raises timely, ethical questions worthy of vigorous discussion and debate.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Well researched and succinctly written, each chapter tells a different tale based on secrets kept by presidents and those who wanted to protect them. An intriguing topic explored in compelling true stories and illustrated with period photos.” —Booklist
Ambushed! The Assassination Plot Against President Garfield
Ambushed! tells the tragic story of President James Garfield’s shooting and the botched medical care that ultimately led to his death. Jarrow captures the drama of the assassination, the scramble to save Garfield’s life, and the primitive state of medicine at the time. It’s a heartbreaking yet fascinating look at how misguided medical practices sealed Garfield’s fate.
Winner of the 2022 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award • Kirkus Reviews Best Book • 2022 Grateful American Book Prize Honorable Mention • Texas Library Association Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List
★ “The volume’s attractive design and clear, accessible text make it eminently readable. Invites appreciation of and affection for a president nearly everyone has forgotten.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “Well-researched, engaging…” —Booklist, starred review
★ “Compelling… highly recommended.” —School Library Journal, starred review
Blood and Germs: The Civil War Battle Against Wounds and Disease
In Blood and Germs, Jarrow transports readers to the battlefields and hospitals of the Civil War. Soldiers were more likely to die from infections and disease than from bullets, and medical understanding lagged far behind the need. This book vividly portrays the brutal realities of wartime medicine while highlighting the resilience of doctors, nurses, and patients who pushed the boundaries of medical knowledge.
Kirkus Reviews Best Book • NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended Book • A Bank Street Best Book of the Year • CCBC Choices • Chicago Public Library Best Informational Book for Older Readers • NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book • Nominee, 2022 Garden State Teen Book Award
★ “A fascinating example of excellence in juvenile nonfiction.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“A masterful look at early medicine.” —Booklist
“Meticulous, page-turning…thoughtfully examine the history of modern medicine.” —The Horn Book
American Murderer: The Parasite That Haunted the South
With American Murderer, Jarrow shifts focus to the hookworm epidemic that plagued the American South for decades. Through stories of those afflicted, medical pioneers who sought solutions, and the societal impact of the disease, readers learn how a microscopic parasite shaped entire communities. It’s a chilling reminder that medicine is as much about public health and awareness as it is about treatments and cures.
Included on NPR’s 2022 “Books We Love” List • Finalist, 2023 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction • ALSC Notable Children’s Book • School Library Journal Best Book • NSTA/CBC Best STEM Book • NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book • CCBC Choices 2023 • CRA Eureka! Nonfiction Silver Honor Award • Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book • Evanston (IL) Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids 2022 • Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List
★ “An engrossing blend of history and STEM.” —Booklist, starred review
“An excellent addition for middle and high school students.”—School Library Journal
“Jarrow…who has carved out a niche for herself in the history of science and medicine, here adeptly weaves solid research, primary-source quotes, and historical artifacts with elements of mystery for a compelling read.” —The Horn Book
Why Should Kids Read the Medical Fiascoes series?
Gail Jarrow’s Medical Fiascoes series offers more than just history lessons—it will allow kids to learn about the progress and pitfalls of science, the importance of transparency, and the ongoing challenges of public health. Written like fiction thrillers and backed by Jarrow’s meticulous research and backmatter, these books will captivate readers young and old while opening up conversations about medicine, ethics, and society.