Ebola: Fears and Facts

by Patricia Newman

Ebola is a deadly contagious disease. From 1975 to 2013, it killed about 1,500 people. But a 2014 epidemic killed more than six times that number. At first the outbreak was contained to one country. But soon it spread to two others―the virus was on the move, and people were scared. When two American healthcare workers became infected and were sent to the United States for treatment, many people feared a pandemic―an outbreak that would spread all over the world. Could it happen?

Ebola: Fears and Facts takes you behind the sensational headlines to address questions and concerns about the virus. Learn about the history of the disease, its symptoms, and how it spreads. Find out how the 2014 epidemic compares to past Ebola outbreaks, as well as to outbreaks of other infectious diseases. With a question-and-answer section and reference maps, Ebola: Fears and Facts will help you to better understand this most-feared disease.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens, Middle Grade

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Writing for children is the hardest thing I’ve ever done—the field is intensely competitive. But I write because I can’t imagine not writing. I write for myself and for the kids who read my work. I write for the joy of seeing a kid sitting in the front row at a school visit, hand stretched high to answer my questions. I write for the kid who tells me he already owns one of my books and has read it 15 times.

Reviews

[Chrissy]

For anybody who had access to popular media last year, EBOLA was definitely a buzz word that could never be avoided. From internet to television to magazines, every major media source screamed the horror of Ebola, which undoubtedly led to the spread of innumerable myths and misconceptions -- many of which seemed to hold the power to create mass chaos in the minds of readers/viewers everywhere.

I can only imagine being a middle grade aged student around this time, picking up enough bits and pieces of the news to create just enough terror in my young brain. Therein lies the value of Ebola: Fears and Facts, a concise and entertaining guidebook for young students that separates the facts from the fictions while addressing the history, lifespan, and development of the Ebola virus.

The author does an excellent job keeping young minds interested by breaking up facts with photographs, along with boxes that visually separate important information, drawing attention to important tidbits with an informative, easy-going style that doesn't skimp on the facts.

Overall, Ebola: Fears and Facts is successful in fulfilling its purpose -- conveying truthful information to alleviate fears in manner that engages young minds. I am certain that this book will find a fitting place in classrooms, and I would definitely read similar titles in the future.

**I did receive an advanced reader's copy of this work for consideration and review. All thoughts are my own and are uninfluenced by the manner in which the book was received.**

[Elhassan]

Ebola; Fears and Facts by Patricia Newman is a book that describes the origins of Ebola; how it started and what it causes. Patricia Newman wrote in her exceptional book that in the first week of September 1976, a headmaster and his pupils returned from a field trip to the north of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a few weeks later, the headmaster died. The nuns that took care of his burial, his wife, and other unrelated people all fell ill and died weeks after the funeral. The symptoms of all this virus were fever, uncontrollable vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and severe bleeding. These symptoms came to define Ebola. A team of scientists arrived to research about the illness after ruling out all other diseases. The villagers heard of this awful disease. Whenever planes landed there, the villagers were either struggling to get supplies or board the aircraft to escape from the terrible virus. Other villages, those who were more fearful of the virus and the ones that thought the foreigners were the cause of this outbreak barricaded themselves in their villages. The situation escalated throughout all of Central Africa and reached Western Africa. The unthinkable happened. During the 2014 outbreak, an overseas passenger went to America and infected many people. How could a so well protected country allow an Ebola-infected enter? The infected was quarantined by the American authorities, and all of his contacts were checked for Ebola during a 21 day period. The book describes all the precautions to take against Ebola and the remedies for it. It has no cure for the time being.






1. For the first question, I will write an acrostic poem
Ebola
Bloody death
Outbreaks of ebola. fever. diarrhea. vomit. death.
Long ago it rose
Aloft in the blood, transmitted in fluids. The bloody death is among us.
2.For the second question, I chose to explain why the topic of the book is important. Ebola is essential to know about because it is a major disease that has claimed hundreds, maybe thousand of lives, because of its deadly grip. We have to know what this disease does, how to fight it, how to prevent ourselves from having that disease, and why and how this disease started roaming Africa. This information is important for us because if this disease has reached America, there are no reasons why it would not reach Morroco, or anywhere else, and set its ravaging claws on the population. We have to be prepared. "Constant vigilance" as Professor Moody used to say to his class at Hogwarts.
3. For the third and final question, I chose to list five facts I learned from the book.
First, I discovered that Ebola started when a school headmaster caught it and died, he and the nuns who touched him, and the people who touched him died from high fever, uncontrollable vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and severe nosebleed.
Second, chlorine kills bacteria, or in other words, it disinfects surfaces.
Third, scientists named Ebola after the Ebola River near the town where this all started.
Fourth, the first confirmed case of Ebola in the United States was Thomas Eric Duncan.
Fifth, the protection gear for doctors to protect themselves from Ebola is so thick that 45 minutes after putting it on, it becomes too hot to bear.




The story was very intriguing, though not happy. My favorite part was when the American hospital stopped the threat of Ebola after releasing and bringing back Duncan to and from the hospital after they realized he was Ebola-infected. My least favorite part was when the little boy died and created a whole new Ebola outbreak. I would recommend this book to Alia Kafil because she likes reading informative books.

[Paula]

This title discusses the fears and facts associated with Ebola. It begins with a brief history of the often deadly disease that was originally identified in Central Africa in 1976 to its most recent outbreaks in 2015, even covering the first US death from Ebola in 2014. Although its recurrences are seemingly random, scientists use data from each Ebola epidemic to further their understanding of how it is spread, its symptoms and successful treatments. The title is well-organized and comprehensive. Conversational text describes the ongoing work of health care professionals and the measures they take to prevent further outbreaks. There are poignant anecdotes from Ebola survivors. Numerous photographs, diagrams and maps are informative and add visual appeal to an otherwise text-heavy narrative. Back matter includes frequently asked questions, glossary, source notes, bibliography, websites, and index. The title is a worthwhile and timely addition to any library.

[Anne]

This 48 page informational text does a good job of clearly explaining what Ebola is, where it started, how it is spread, and what is being done to prevent it from spreading/cure it. Scientific terms are explained, plus there is a glossary in the back. Textual information is supplemented throughout with primary source photos, maps, and charts. One feature that I particularly liked was a text box that asked the readers to think about 5 different questions to determine if informations they see/hear/read is truth or hype. Also included: 2 pages of Frequently Asked Questions (with answers), an author's note, glossary, source notes, selected bibliography, plus books and websites for further reading and research. An excellent addition to an upper elem/middle school science collection.

[Leigh Isley]

This book is aligned with Common Core instruction and takes you behind the scenes of the Ebola epidemic that caused pure panic around the world in 2014. Learn about the history of the disease, its symptoms, and how it spreads. Find out how the 2014 epidemic compares to past breakouts as well as other infectious diseases. There is also a question-and-answer section, reference maps, and a glossary that help you better understand this most feared disease.
Patricia Newman’s middle grade nonfiction text is a necessity in the middle grade classroom. The information and her real-life photos bring everything to life and really keeps the reader’s attention.

[Kellee Moye]

Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=7897

The Ebola epidemic of 2014 caused pure panic around the world. Because of the 24-hour news coverage of the disease as it entered the U.S, Ebola became a hot topic; however, there was so much misconception about the disease. As a teacher during the epidemic, I saw how scared students were of the disease and how little they knew about it. The text is a wonderful resource to help kids learn about the disease. Really lays out the history and truth about Ebola.

[Becca]

Interesting and detailed, this informative book about Ebola is sure to pique student interest. Though the author can be corny at times (she references Mad Eye Moody--"Constant Vigilance!"), the subtle Common Core aligned features will have students thinking about what they are reading.

[Annie Oosterwyk]

A great middle grade science book. Students will love it and learn a lot. Excellent research material.

Best quote ever, "The biggest mistake the world could make right now is to blink," said Dr. Aylward of WHO.

[Lauren White]

Great informational text that allows readers grades 4-7 to really understand Ebola and the Ebola outbreak. Very cool text features and photographs.

Junior Library Guild Selection

[Quintina]

Netgalley ARC

An fascinating informational text for upper elementary and middle school students.

[Jess]

A very good description of Ebola, and recent outbreaks. Even covers how to be media savvy when reading stories about Ebola.

[Ann]

Top 10 Science 7 Health Books for Youth 2015 (Booklist)