Body Bugs: Invisible Creatures Lurking Inside You

by Jennifer Swanson

Overview

Scrub all you want, but you'll never get your body entirely clean. From rash causing itch mites to bacteria swimming in your stomach, meet the tiny creatures hitching a ride on your body.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781429672719
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	07/01/2011
Series:	Tiny Creepy Creatures
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	IG770L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 14 Years

About the Author

Jennifer Swanson is the author of over 14 nonfiction books for children. She specializes in writing about science and technology. Her children’s book Body Bugs: Invisible Creatures Lurking Inside You was a 2012 Book of Note with the Pennsylvania Librarian Association. Jennifer has her M.S. Ed in K-8 science, is a middle school science instructor, and lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with her family.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Meet Your Microbes 4

Chapter 1 The Skin You're in 6

Chapter 2 The Holes in Your Head 10

Chapter 3 Bugs in Your Belly 16

Chapter 4 Funky Feet 24

Glossary 30

Read More 31

Internet Sites 31

Index 32

Editorial Reviews

The “Introduction,” noting that “your body is home to more than 90 trillion microbes” will grab the attention of lovers of everything gross. Besides bacteria, mites also live on human skin, and while most are harmless, some are parasites. Viruses love nose hair, most of which the body can fight off. Another location for microbes is in teeth, but brushing will get rid of most of them. Some microbes, such as probiotics in the intestines, are helpful but others inhabiting the intestine such as E. coli, which comes from undercooked food or contaminated water, can cause severe illness. Having started with the head, Swanson finishes with feet with foot fungus and 250,000 sweat glands attracting the smelly bacteria that dine off sweat. Again, a glossary, bibliography/webliography, and index end the book.

“Noteworthy Nonfiction” School Librarians Workshop

Girls will say, “Eww, yuck!” and walk away. Boys will say, “Gross!” and read the series. From the enlarged microphotographs on the covers, the reader’s eye is drawn to the topics. Helpful study tools include bolded words defined in a word box, and labeled microphotographs. All books discuss the harmfulness of uncontrolled microorganisms, but also tell about the useful role of the critters. Food Intruders adds historical information about Salem witchcraft and bad bread, the potato famine in Ireland, salmonella contamination, etc. Though most suited for upper elementary, the books would be valuable in middle school for struggling readers. Recommended.

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