Starred review from December 1, 2023
How do germs make animals--and people--sick, and what defenses do bodies have? With this kid-friendly introduction to immune systems and the enemies they battle, Montgomery adds to an impressively entertaining body of work. Organized around different animals, the chapters follow scientists noticing odd happenings in the face of infection--or animals avoiding expected infection entirely. Montgomery highlights the questions these scientists ask: What's the connection between frog temperature and infection survival? Why do ants kill infected pupae? How do injured gators survive their bacteria-heavy environment and vultures their contaminated food? The author traces the scientists' logic as they test various hypotheses; she then demonstrates how we can learn from these findings to devise new strategies to help people. Keeping her tone conversational, occasionally relying on anthropomorphizing, and framing her stories as mysteries, Montgomery makes even the most complex concepts concrete and digestible--young readers won't just understand the microbiology at play; they'll enjoy the subject, too. Illustrations throughout also enhance clarity as well as (especially in short comic panels) keeping the book fun. Gross facts ("Chimps pee and poop right off the sides of their daybeds!") are just the cherry on top of this book that brims with child appeal. Final art not seen. A pathologically good time. (more super symbionts, selected sources, illustration credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10-adult)
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January 1, 2024
Grades 4-6 Rejecting the notion that the study of cell biology need ever be dull, Montgomery personifies the pathogens and parasites that parade through this alliterative and mind-expanding overview of how wild animals have evolved ways of resisting--or learned to live with--disease organisms. From chimps observed self-medicating intestinal worm infections by eating certain leaves to "Victor Vulture's" mysterious immunity to "Presley Perfringens" and every other member of the often-deadly bacterial Clostridium clan, her examples not only offer exhilarating case studies of science and of the scientists she interviews in action but also make a convincing argument for thinking about our relationship with our teeming microbial neighbors less as a war of extermination than a give and take with potential benefits for both sides. Some readers may wish their school was like the one in Brussels where students found a previously unknown antibody in a vat of camel's blood in their supply closet; all will come away with better understanding of our complex biosphere and of how Netty Neutrophil and other components of living creatures' innate and acquired immune systems work together.
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December 13, 2024
Gr 4-8-Parasites, bacteria, and viruses (aka germs) affect animals just like they affect humans. Montgomery takes readers on a deep dive into the animal world examining the myriad ways that animals fight back against germs or how they protect themselves in the first place. There are ample illustrations and many comic strip-like panels that work with the chatty text to create an engaging whole. The anthropomorphizing of germs is a little cutesy (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus becomes Stephanie Staph), but the concept is fascinating. What can we learn from the habits of animals? How do chimps know to self-medicate by eating bitter mjonso leaves when they are feeling poorly? Why can vultures eat rotten food and not get sick? How can bats carry deadly viruses and not be affected? Montgomery explains the work of scientists who are exploring these questions. In many cases, the answers have the potential to help humans better fight diseases; readers will realize there is much to learn. VERDICT Visually engaging and with approachable text, Sick! is chock-full of super interesting information about animals and is recommended for middle school science collections.-Ragan O'Malley
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