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Virus Hunters: How Science Protects People When Outbreaks and Pandemics Strike – Medical Mysteries, Vaccines, and the Experts Who Fight Deadly Diseases for Kids
A propulsive nonfiction look at the elite squads of scientists, doctors, and infectious disease experts who guard the boundary between public health and pandemics and how they gather data via boots on the ground “shoe-leather epidemiology” in order to save lives.
Perfect for fans of Steve Sheinkin and Deborah Heiligman!
Picture a detective. What comes to mind? A fast-talking private eye, interrogating a suspect? Or Sherlock Holmes, in his deerstalker hat, discovering clues to catch a killer?
Now imagine that the suspect isn’t a person but a microscopic menace—a deadly virus or bacteria making people sick. What kind of detective does it take to nab a biological assassin, invisible to the naked eye?
Just like detectives, epidemiologists—scientists who study how diseases emerge and spread—interview witnesses and gather clues to identify the cause of illness, locate those who are sick, and uncover the sources of outbreaks to stop them in their tracks.
From a quickly spreading cholera outbreak in 1880s London, to a mystery illness in New Mexico that stumped investigators, to the development of the vaccines to fight COVID-19 and more, join acclaimed author Amy Cherrix on a journey to explore the past, present, and future of virus hunting as the world’s greatest disease detectives race to crack the medical codes that lead to cures.
Perfect for fans of Steve Sheinkin and Deborah Heiligman!
Picture a detective. What comes to mind? A fast-talking private eye, interrogating a suspect? Or Sherlock Holmes, in his deerstalker hat, discovering clues to catch a killer?
Now imagine that the suspect isn’t a person but a microscopic menace—a deadly virus or bacteria making people sick. What kind of detective does it take to nab a biological assassin, invisible to the naked eye?
Just like detectives, epidemiologists—scientists who study how diseases emerge and spread—interview witnesses and gather clues to identify the cause of illness, locate those who are sick, and uncover the sources of outbreaks to stop them in their tracks.
From a quickly spreading cholera outbreak in 1880s London, to a mystery illness in New Mexico that stumped investigators, to the development of the vaccines to fight COVID-19 and more, join acclaimed author Amy Cherrix on a journey to explore the past, present, and future of virus hunting as the world’s greatest disease detectives race to crack the medical codes that lead to cures.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published September 10, 2024
2 people are currently reading
2724 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 4, 2025
Cherrix weaves six true stories of mysterious outbreaks of diseases that is sure to have middle grade kids craving more.
In a very clinical, methodical manner, she details the hantavirus outbreak in New Mexico in 1993, Dr. John Snow’s “detective” search for how cholera was transmitted, the research methodology of the 1918 fly pandemic by 2 doctors that started in 1951 and was completed in 1997, the worldwide eradication of smallpox by doctors dedicated enough to ensure it is not a threat today, Dr. Anthony Fauci’s novel approach to finding a care for HIV/AIDS, and how the first use of mRNA technology helped stop Covid-19. Each case stresses who experienced the disease, what the effects of it were, the means it was transmitted, and how scientists were able to piece together a solution.
Cherrix lays all of the pieces of the puzzle for each disease in place with care and empathy for the subjects who suffered from each disease. She sets just the right tone for this topic. Readers will feel her empathy for the people affected and her admiration of the scientists involved. The text is illustrated with period captioned photographs. Short chapters make this a breezy read. Explanations of what could be confusing topics are clear and included within the text. Though she makes liberal use of acronyms, she is always careful to spell it out with the acronym in parenthesis initially. The book opens with a prologue to set up the doctors and researchers of diseases as “detectives” and ends with her experience at the CDC’s Museum’s Disease Detective Camp. An impressive resources list, footnotes, and index complete the backmatter.
This reads like a short story collection of medical mysteries that fans of Gail Jarrow will savor.
Highly Recommended for grades 7-12.
S.B.
Children's Literature Consultant
In a very clinical, methodical manner, she details the hantavirus outbreak in New Mexico in 1993, Dr. John Snow’s “detective” search for how cholera was transmitted, the research methodology of the 1918 fly pandemic by 2 doctors that started in 1951 and was completed in 1997, the worldwide eradication of smallpox by doctors dedicated enough to ensure it is not a threat today, Dr. Anthony Fauci’s novel approach to finding a care for HIV/AIDS, and how the first use of mRNA technology helped stop Covid-19. Each case stresses who experienced the disease, what the effects of it were, the means it was transmitted, and how scientists were able to piece together a solution.
Cherrix lays all of the pieces of the puzzle for each disease in place with care and empathy for the subjects who suffered from each disease. She sets just the right tone for this topic. Readers will feel her empathy for the people affected and her admiration of the scientists involved. The text is illustrated with period captioned photographs. Short chapters make this a breezy read. Explanations of what could be confusing topics are clear and included within the text. Though she makes liberal use of acronyms, she is always careful to spell it out with the acronym in parenthesis initially. The book opens with a prologue to set up the doctors and researchers of diseases as “detectives” and ends with her experience at the CDC’s Museum’s Disease Detective Camp. An impressive resources list, footnotes, and index complete the backmatter.
This reads like a short story collection of medical mysteries that fans of Gail Jarrow will savor.
Highly Recommended for grades 7-12.
S.B.
Children's Literature Consultant
November 1, 2024
This reads like a short story collection of medical mysteries that fans of Gail Jarrow will savor.
Cherrix weaves six true stories of mysterious outbreaks of diseases that is sure to have middle grade kids craving more. In a very clinical, methodical manner, she details the hantavirus outbreak in New Mexico in 1993, Dr. John Snow’s “detective” search for how cholera was transmitted, the research methodology of the 1918 fly pandemic by 2 doctors that started in 1951 and was completed in 1997, the worldwide eradication of smallpox by doctors dedicated enough to ensure it is not a threat today, Dr. Anthony Fauci’s novel approach to finding a care for HIV/AIDS, and how the first use of mRNA technology helped stop Covid-19. Each case stresses who experienced the disease, what the effects of it were, the means it was transmitted, and how scientists were able to piece together a solution.
Cherrix lays all of the pieces of the puzzle for each disease in place with care and empathy for the subjects who suffered from each disease. She sets just the right tone for this topic. Readers will feel her empathy for the people affected and her admiration of the scientists involved. The text is illustrated with period captioned photographs. Short chapters make this a breezy read. Explanations of what could be confusing topics are clear and included within the text. Though she makes liberal use of acronyms, she is always careful to spell it out with the acronym in parenthesis initially. The book opens with a prologue to set up the doctors and researchers of diseases as “detectives” and ends with her experience at the CDC’s Museum’s Disease Detective Camp. An impressive resources list, footnotes, and index complete the backmatter.
Highly Recommended for grades 7-12.
Cherrix weaves six true stories of mysterious outbreaks of diseases that is sure to have middle grade kids craving more. In a very clinical, methodical manner, she details the hantavirus outbreak in New Mexico in 1993, Dr. John Snow’s “detective” search for how cholera was transmitted, the research methodology of the 1918 fly pandemic by 2 doctors that started in 1951 and was completed in 1997, the worldwide eradication of smallpox by doctors dedicated enough to ensure it is not a threat today, Dr. Anthony Fauci’s novel approach to finding a care for HIV/AIDS, and how the first use of mRNA technology helped stop Covid-19. Each case stresses who experienced the disease, what the effects of it were, the means it was transmitted, and how scientists were able to piece together a solution.
Cherrix lays all of the pieces of the puzzle for each disease in place with care and empathy for the subjects who suffered from each disease. She sets just the right tone for this topic. Readers will feel her empathy for the people affected and her admiration of the scientists involved. The text is illustrated with period captioned photographs. Short chapters make this a breezy read. Explanations of what could be confusing topics are clear and included within the text. Though she makes liberal use of acronyms, she is always careful to spell it out with the acronym in parenthesis initially. The book opens with a prologue to set up the doctors and researchers of diseases as “detectives” and ends with her experience at the CDC’s Museum’s Disease Detective Camp. An impressive resources list, footnotes, and index complete the backmatter.
Highly Recommended for grades 7-12.
February 2, 2025
I was more interested in the chapters more focused on finding the cause of epidemics (cholera, hantavirus). I would have loved a book only focused on that topic, though having a middle grade text that introduces the eradication of polio via mass vaccination seems especially important right now with rising vaccine skepticism. The chapters on AIDS activists and their role in advancing the work on treatments for it was insightful and would likely be surprising to kids who are now growing up with that disease as non-lethal in the US. Great background on mRNA vaccines in the COVID chapters that explained how they work and the lengthy process for vaccine approval - also relevant to read in today’s climate of unwarranted uncertainty about vaccines.
December 12, 2024
This short book isn't, and can't be, entirely comprehensvie--Cherrix is tackling a huge subject. But it is clearly written and very well researched, and young science fans will learn a lot from it. I wish Cherrix had mentioned Ozlem Turici, Ugur Sahin's wife, who founded Biontech with him. It would have been easy to simply include her name. And this is why I'm knocking off a star.
However, there is so much good information here. A necessary book for every Junior High and High School library.
However, there is so much good information here. A necessary book for every Junior High and High School library.
February 25, 2025
This book perfectly blends scientific principles and accessibility to the reader who may not have a strong science background. The behind-scenes work these scientists, researchers, doctors, etc perform is astounding. It covers several of the most serious endemics/pandemics of the 20th and 21st century, including COVID-19, and breaks down the meticulous process of identifying and treating these illnesses. Definitely geared to a middle school/high school reader. Fascinating book!
June 5, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is a must have for high school collections, or middle school ones where there are a lot of science based projects. It was a lot of information on many aspects of the scientific process, and had gripping stories of scientists who persevered against a lot of obstacles.
This is a must have for high school collections, or middle school ones where there are a lot of science based projects. It was a lot of information on many aspects of the scientific process, and had gripping stories of scientists who persevered against a lot of obstacles.
October 11, 2024
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. The book has short chapters, keeping focus of one point the author is making. She explains the STEM concepts that go with working with medicine to were even a middle schooler can understand; which it is good because I work in a middle school. There was no overload of hard to understand science. I really did enjoy the book.
February 3, 2025
Geared towards middle school readers, this is a well-written look into virus detectives - including Jay Butler, John Snow, Johan Hultin (1918 flu), Neil Vora (smallpox), Anthony Fauci (AIDS), and Katalin Kariko (COVID-10) - was really engaging and informative.
November 11, 2025
When the world finally eradicated the measles virus but then the u.s said NUH-Uhhhh. So now the measles virus is back thanks AV’s
August 11, 2024
Engrossing timeline of pandemics and epidemics chronicling the diseases, consequences, and influential people involved with trying to quell the outbreak. Incredibly readable with intriguing details and shocking information. The layout and language allow for a non-threatening and enjoyable upper middle school read. Cherri’s is becoming one of my “go to” nonfiction authors.
December 12, 2025
Epidemiology basics and stats.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews