Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Divided into 4 chapters, this thin graphic non-fiction
volume introduces the reader to vaccines. The first chapter explains how
vaccines work and how different kinds of vaccines are developed. The second
chapter presents the history of fighting the smallpox virus which was known as
the speckled monster. The third chapter traces vaccine advancements made for
rabies, whooping cough, and polio, as well as the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps
and rubella). It also mentions some backlash by the public against vaccines.
The final chapter examines a particular panic about vaccines which was sparked
by a later discredited 1998 study that linked vaccines with autism. The chapter
concludes by mentioning some more recent vaccine discoveries such as for N1H1, Ebola,
and COVID-19.
With additional material at the end (Source Notes, Glossary,
Further Information, and Index), this graphic novel is a simple introduction of
the history of vaccines that avoids mentioning, let alone examining, any of the
problematic aspects of this history (such as using their own children as guinea
pigs, or human embryos). Most of the text is provided in text boxes rather than
speech bubbles, and the speech bubbles that are included don’t add anything to
the story or information being presented. The illustrations themselves are also
fairly static and colorless. That being said, the graphic-novel format may
attract more readers than if presented in another format and information about
vaccines is a timely topic.
Reviewer: Pamela K. Foster, MLS, elementary school
teacher-librarian
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