Power to the Parasites!

by Chelsea L. Wood, Dave Mottram (Illustrator)

Power to the Parasites! lets you in on a Parasites are all around you, all the time, quietly running the world. You might think of them as slimy, disgusting freeloaders – tapeworms and roundworms and ticks and lice, too small to be important and too selfish to be valued. But by the end of this book, you’ll realize that sometimes parasites are the good guys.

Learn where you’re most likely to find parasites in your own food (heads up, you might not want to eat any uncooked fish right before reading this book), and how parasitic infection changes the behavior of many organisms―including human beings.

Parasites might be weird and mysterious, but the better we understand them, the less we have to fear about them. In fact, many parasites are in big trouble. With climate change threatening parasites around the world, there’s no better time than right now to learn about these often-unseen creatures living among us.

Genres: Middle Grade, Nonfiction, Science, Childrens

176 pages, Hardcover

Published November 12, 2024

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Middle grade non-fiction is hitting right this year!

Power to the Parasites is a title that I came across last year while at work. If you know anything about me, then you'll know that I despise anything that's creepy/crawly. However, for some reason I was drawn to this book. Wood gave us one of the most fascinating middle grade science books that provides insight to the small word of parasites. To be honest, like most readers, my knowledge of parasites and their impact of animals, humans, and the environment is extremely small; therefore, I had no expectations while navigating this book. To my surprise, I LOVED it. The information is presented in a clear, fun, and concise manner that will appeal to middle grade non-fiction readers. Wood includes humor that lightens the disturbing pieces of information. Most of all, I truly believe all readers will walk away from this learning at least one new thing. The inclusion of pictures does provide further clarity on more difficult topics, but this is definitely written with a middle grade audience in mind. Overall, I truly had a good time with this one and I'm looking forward to more books by Wood in the future.

[Cindy (leavemetomybooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE reading about parasites. I ended up choosing Medical Microbiology and Immunology for my undergraduate degree because one of my cats had a tapeworm, and I was FASCINATED. My favorite class ever was Parasitology -- I loved memorizing their bizarre life cycles and collecting disturbing funfacts to spring on people.

Because of this background, many of the organisms were familiar favorites of mine -- like Toxoplasma gondii (the protozoan that probably live(s/d) in at least one of my cats and got me out of scooping cat boxes when I was pregnant), Yersinia pestis (bacteria that cause(s/d) the Black Plague), Dipylidium caninum (dog/cat tapeworm), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (liver fluke that brainwashes ants as juveniles), and the parasitoid wasps that lay their eggs inside caterpillars (!!!)), but Dr. Wood's focus on marine ecology introduced me to many new organisms, which was fun! The illustrations were good - I kept laughing at how every animal was giving its parasite some side-eye. I do hope that in the final version there are a few more labels included in the illustrations - like noting the secondary host and what each lifecycle stage is called just to make it all super clear for younger readers.

Love the pronunciation guides throughout (though there were a few additional terms and Latin names that maybe should have been included) and appreciated the small glossary at the back. Clear, approachable language (lots of poop and butts) will make this appealing to kids. It does mention "sexual reproduction" in the context of worms -- this was very closed-door, zero spice, and 100% age-appropriate and very sciencey -- but since some people freak out about everything, I figured I should mention it (even though those people should calm down).

Overall, this book would be a fun addition to an elementary or middle school library - ages 10+

* thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group & Godwin Books for the NetGalley review copy. POWER TO THE PARASITES publishes November 12, 2024.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 5 out of 5]

"An eye-opening, as well as stomach-churning, angle on who’s really the boss in the natural world." [Kirkus Reviews]

[Donna Huber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great nonfiction book for curious middle grade kids. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. Discover a fascinating secret world, unknown to most, but mined by Hollywood horror writers. Hidden just below the surface, in your home, your food, your pets and you, lurk parasites. Enthusiastic, vernacular prose, from a scientist in the field, may not convince readers to love the wildly inventive freeloaders as she does, but will convey the mind-boggling variety of parasites, and their critical importance in healthy ecosystems and human health. Inherently interesting, and appallingly intriguing, the parasite portraits are divided into two parts: parasites doing stuff out in nature and parasites doing stuff in us and in our homes. A glossary is included. Hand to older fans of Johnson’s Zombie Makers (Millbrook, 2012) or pair with Maloney’s Buzzkill (Henry Holt, 2022). Thanks to Henry Holt/Godwin and NetGalley for an advance reader's copy in return for an unbiased review.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great. This book is a wonderfully fun introduction to parasites and how they affect our world. You will never look at your cat or dog in the same way after reading this…
Each chapter tells a new story about a cool parasite. One of the parasites evolved a new reproduction technique after the extinction of its definitive host, an ocean dinosaur. Another one keeps grouse populations in the Scottish Highlands bouncing up and down. The author also shares the theory that the rise of autoimmune diseases in wealthy countries partially results from the elimination of human parasites in our guts. Awesome scientific gross-out material! Read-alikes include Unseen Jungle: The microbes that secretly control our world by Eleanor Spicer Rice Ph.D and Buzzkill: A Wild Wander Through the Weird and Threatened World of Bugs by Brenna Maloney (also illustrated by David Mottrom, like this one!)

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fifth grade teacher, I am always looking for engaging books on ecosystems and symbiosis and was really excited to come across this book. I love that a range of parasites were covered. Children love gross, and brain worms and tapeworms. I found the depth this book went into fascinating. I had never paused to consider that when a species becomes endangered, so does it's parasites, nor had I considered the implication of the evolution of tapeworms.

While written for children, this is definitely on the more advanced end of the spectrum for children's books. For firth graders, it is a book I am likely to hand to my gifted fifth graders, or use sections as a read aloud when teaching Science.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Children's Publishers for the ARC.

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wood has described in nauseating detail several of the world's more obscure, as well as more common, parasites. She has achieved her goal, which is "whatever your opinion of these beasts, I know that from here on out you'll move through the world thinking not just about the life you can see, but also about the secret world of parasites that lies beneath." I found Wood's descriptions of the life cycles of various parasites, as well as the illnesses that might result, as well as the possible health benefits to be interesting, but sadly, although I find them fascinating, I do not find them beautiful or love them more, but power to the people who do!

[Erica Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the cover of the book, I thought this would be a bit of a light read with intriguing factoids, but this was a surprisingly well-researched compilation of information on parasites. Disconcerting, but very educational. As a cat owner, I was a particular fan of the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Fascinating!

I will note that, like many educational texts, this is a bit of a slow read. However, for anyone interested in parasites, this information is down-to-earth and accessible. A very good reference for learning about these fascinating but reviled organisms.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew there was so much to learn about parasites? And that some are good? I really liked this book because not only do kids learn a lot about science and the human body, but adults would love this too. It's an accessible look at a much maligned organism that plays an important role in our ecosystem. As we learn more about the role parasites play in our world, hopefully more learners will appreciate their importance and not see them as a negative.

[Alexa Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do parasites infect other organisms? What weird behavior do they cause? Can they infect humans? Learn the answer to all these questions and more in this book, written by a parasitologist who really shares her love for these weird weird creatures. Definitely great for animal lovers because they infect a lot of different animals. Easy to read cover to cover but you could also dip in and just find the parasites you're interested in. Has a good glossary in the back.

[Katie Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Nonfiction books about gross and/or strange topics written for middle-grade readers are my kryptonite. Maybe it's the digestible, accessible format and the shorter length? Amidst the humor, I appreciate how informative this book is; the glossary is particularly helpful, though I think the illustrations could be clearer about what's being depicted (maybe some labels would help).

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

POWER TO THE PARASITES! provides readers with an in depth look at these organisms that are often overlooked yet critical to living things. Going beyond the gross out portrayal of parasites familiar in horror movies, this well-researched and detailed book provides information about a variety of different parasites in nature and in our homes. Clear language and supportive illustrations make this an accessible book for middle grade readers interested in how ecosystems work.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wood presents an up-close and personal look at some creatures you'd probably rather NOT know about . . . parasites. Aimed at curious middle schoolers, the book should easily appeal to readers of many age groups who are looking for something unusual. This was fun, fascinating, and frequently disturbing.

Many thanks to Godwin Books and NetGalley for the read.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I am well past the age of the target audience, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I chuckled, learned a lot, and felt inspired by Chelsea Woods curiosity, awe, and enthusiasm for the wacky awesome parasite laden world we live in.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book for my niblings after listening to the author on Just The Zoo of Us talk about her favorite parasites. This is a good overview of parasitology for a 6th-7th grade audience, introducing the weird and wonderful life cycles of some of these very odd (and very cool) critters.

[Linds · Rating 5 out of 5]

The epitome of making educational reading fun! My pre-teens & I loved it! Morbidly fascinating, really well written. Keeps kids & adults intrigued with real-life analogies & examples mixed with scientific terms & gross/intriguing details. We will be looking for more just like this!

[Fish · Rating 1 out of 5]

I definitely feel like a parisitologist with some expertise in virology should know that the COVID pandemic is ongoing instead of spreading propoganda that it is over. Ruined her credibility and the whole book for me.

[Jami Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually a lot more interesting than I thought it would be. I know parasites are not a highly talked about subject, but in this case, the author makes learning about them pretty neat.

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alarming and fascinating.

[Matthew Kaufman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun tour of the weirdest and creepiest corner of the biological world! Perfect for a biology-minded middle schooler with a taste for the macabre

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. I’m sure my teens would love it but I have the Willies now.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing an entertaining and informative science book for a middle grade audience is not the simplest of tasks, but Chelsea Wood gets it done with gusto. Whether she is describing the female giant ichneumon wasp using an ovipositor to install it's eggs in a horntail host or a woozy moose showing signs of a brain worm infestation, Wood leans into the macabre as she describes the complex life cycle of multiple parasites. I look forward to getting this narrative nonfiction into the hands of multiple middle school students.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the advance ecopy of the book.