Mosquitoes Don't Bite Me

by Pendred Noyce

Mosquitoes don't bite Nala Simiyu. It's part of who she is, like being a half-Kenyan seventh-grader whose mother is in a wheelchair. But when a schoolmate's father--who happens to head up a large drug company--learns of Nala's special power, the excitement begins. After helping out with mosquito research, Nala has the chance to travel to Kenya to investigate mosquitoes' reactions to her father's family. All goes well until a man heartbroken by his daughter's death from malaria kidnaps Nala. In the midst of a realistic adventure story, this book will introduce young readers to such dilemmas as health disparities, subtle racism, and who owns biological information. Brave, fallible, compassionate and spirited, Nala is a strongly relatable character in a loving, imperfect family.

Genres: Middle Grade

157 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2017

About the author

Pendred (Penny) Noyce is a doctor, educator, and mother of five. She is the author of twelve books for children and young adults and one text for educators. Her children's novles are brainy and fun, mixing math or science with playful language and adventure. Three of her books have won prestigious Outstanding Science Trade Books awards from the National Science Teachers Association and the Childrens Book Council.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author does a great job of melding science and story in a cohesive narrative! 3/5 in terms of the writing itself; it held my interest but I could definitely tell it was written with lesson plans in mind. 4.5/5 for the great middle grade STEM connections and well-explained genetics concepts integral to the book's plot!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mosquitoes Don't Bite Me presents an unusual protagonist in the form of half-Kenyan seventh-grader Nala, whose mother is in a wheelchair. Nala has an unusual condition: mosquitoes don't bite her - ever.

This, in and of itself, wouldn't seem to be a big deal; but her friend's father is head of a large drug company, and when he discovers the truth about her during a school project, she becomes involved in a mosquito research effort that brings her to her family homeland, Kenya, to consider mosquito reactions in her father's family.

A kidnapping, the plight of peoples affected by deadly mosquitoes that carry malaria, and the quest for a new insect repellant that holds the power to change lives contributes to a book that reaches far beyond the story of one girl's strange condition and into the social and political struggles of an African nation.

Mosquitoes Don't Bite Me may sound complicated for a middle-grade read, but its insights are perfectly tailored for ages 9-12; from its discussions of sickle cell anemia and other health challenges to circumstances of poverty, health, and a personal hunt for truth and identity.

It also excels in painting a vivid portrait of desperate people who will do anything to save the lives of loved ones, blending family encounters and issues with bigger questions of economics and problems which arise when business interests clash with social conditions.

Heady reading for kids? Yes; but when packaged in the form of an adventure and exploration, these issues come alive, making Mosquitoes Don't Bite Me an unusually thought-provoking read highly recommended for young fiction readers who will receive more than action alone.

[Concetta Seidler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. Noyce introduces the audience to the main character of the book who is Nala Simiyu. She is a half-Kenyan seventh-grader whose mother is in a wheelchair. Nala has a condition where mosquitoes don't bite her. A classmates father, who is head of a large drug company, discovers Nala's condition and wants to use her in a research project. Nala helps out with this project and has the opportunity to go to her homeland but something not so good happens while she is there. This books demonstrates many qualities that readers can learn from and I think it is a great read for children who are a little bit older of age.

[Ramona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genetics are an amazing science. North Carolina...7th grader Nila becomes the center of attention after it is discovered, during a science project, that "mosquitoes don't bite" her! Travel with her on this revealing journey, from the USA to Kenya, Africa. Mystery, friendships, and family connections are a part of this delightful tale.

[Ellen Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many important themes; girls in science, racism, disabilities, social justice, health care equality..
along with the usual middle school angst and a plot that involves adventure (travel to Kenya) and action (a kidnapping).
I didn't love this as much as I expected, but still worthwhile

[Megan Zirbel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great science... lots of hot topics

The science in this book is the most realistic I have seen in teen fiction. There are a variety of hot topic issues addressed in small pieces of the beginning of the book that are left open at the end.

[Tara Mickela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great middle school STEM connection for girls interested in any of the sciences, but especially environmental sciences. Just a good story without the STEM/science connection too.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Saida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would say that it’s a good book. It’s about a girl who doesn’t get bit by mosquitoes, nobody in her school knew , not even her best friend.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accurate science
Appropriate for middle school

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Bug, introducing kids to mystery and suspense, science, adventure, and social issues that surround them all.