What's a Germ, Joseph Lister?: The Medical Mystery That Forever Changed the Way We Heal

by Lori Alexander, Daniel Duncan (Illustrator)

Overview

This engrossing, timely, and highly illustrated biography of the father of modern surgery reveals the shocking practices of surgeons before Joseph Lister proved where infections come from.

In 1841, a quiet, curious boy who stuttered when nervous committed to becoming a surgeon—a profession then more feared than respected.

Through study, persistence, and careful research, Joseph Lister proved that unsanitary conditions contribute to infections. Despite others scoffing at his ideas, Lister slowly changed the way all surgeons work, saving countless lives.

Sibert Honor-winner Lori Alexander’s accessible and lively biography of Lister contains fun—and sometimes gory—facts about the history of science and engaging illustrations by Daniel Duncan. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780358538172
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/10/2023
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	987,185
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Lori Alexander’s books for young readers include the acclaimed biographies What’s a Germ, Joseph Lister?: The Medical Mystery That Forever Changed the Way We Heal and the Sibert Honor–winning All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World. She lives in Tucson, Arizona. lorialexanderbooks.com

Editorial Reviews

A compelling read sure to inspire young minds.”  — Kirkus Reviews

"This eminently readable offering fills a void and should fascinate would-be physicians." — Booklist

From the Publisher

2023-09-09
A biography of Joseph Lister focused on his advancements in antiseptic medicine.

Joseph Lister lived at a time when hospitals were dirty places and surgery was a brutal affair that frequently ended in death from hospital-born infections. Yet young Joseph was fascinated by how bodies worked, and he grew up to become a surgeon who tackled the mystery of why so many people died after surgeries. He systematically studied the role of inflammation in healing and—inspired by the work of Louis Pasteur—tested the theory that the infectious agent was microscopic. His story is told in clear, easy-to-read text; the clean prose is especially helpful when showing how he used the scientific method to refine his understanding. The curiosity that drove Joseph powers the mystery of the book and makes him a relatable, admirable figure. The text is broken up with illustrations, some full-page and many more in spotlight format. The use of sidebars and additional context from other scientific minds working on germ theory stumbles only in the conclusion of a brief discussion of Ignaz Semmelweis (“With his research ignored, Semmelweis went mad and eventually died in a mental institution”), which oversimplifies and uses othering language. Extensive backmatter includes relevant photographs and images, a timeline, a glossary, source notes by chapter, a bibliography, and an index. Final art unseen.

A compelling read sure to inspire young minds. (Biography. 8-14)

Kirkus Reviews