Battling Malaria

On the Front Lines against a Global Killer

  • Interest Level: Grade 6 - Grade 12
  • Reading Level: Grade 8

In North America, mosquito bites are usually only a nuisance. But in areas such as Africa and Southeast Asia, the bite can be deadly. There, many mosquitoes transmit a disease called malaria—and malaria can be a killer. In Africa, one child dies from malaria every thirty seconds. Worldwide, more than one million people die from malaria each year. What can be done to stop this global killer?

This book examines how public health organizations work to protect people from malaria-carrying mosquitoes, how doctors care for people who do get malaria, and how researchers try to better understand and fight malaria. But malaria presents a complex puzzle for researchers. The parasite that causes malaria takes several different forms and can damage the body in many ways.

Malaria does its worst damage among people in poor nations. These countries often have inadequate public health and medical systems, making prevention and treatment difficult. In addition, children who are sick with malaria cannot go to school. Adults with malaria cannot work. Thus malaria often pushes poor people deeper into poverty.

Author Connie Goldsmith is a nurse and a medical writer. In Battling Malaria, Goldsmith tackles the topic with an expert’s eye. She describes cutting-edge research, medications, and public health measures that might someday defeat malaria for good.

Format Your Price Add
978-0-7613-6363-7
$41.99
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Interest Level Grade 6 - Grade 12
Reading Level Grade 8
Genre Social Studies, Young Adult
Copyright 2011
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Twenty-First Century Books ™
Language English
Number of Pages 128
Publication Date 2010-08-01
Text Type Informational/Explanatory
BISACS YAN050030, YAN050010
Dewey 616.9'362
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 6 x 8.5
Features Awards, Bibliography/further reading, Glossary, Index, Reviewed, Source notes, Table of contents, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Connie Goldsmith

Connie Goldsmith is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science degree in nursing and a master of public administration degree in health care. She has written numerous books for YA readers and nearly two hundred magazine articles. Her recent books include Kiyo Sato: From a WWII Japanese Internment Camp to a Life of Service (2020), a Junior Library Guild selection; Running on Empty: Sleeplessness in American Teens (2021); Understanding Coronaviruses: SARS, MERS, and the COVID-19 Pandemic (2021); and Bombs Over Bikini: The World's First Nuclear Disaster (2014), a Junior Library Guild selection, a Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, an Association of Children's Librarians of Northern California Distinguished Book, and an SCBWI Crystal Kite Winner. She lives in Sacramento, California. Visit her website at http://www.conniegoldsmith.com/.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Battling Malaria

In North America, mosquito bites are usually only a nuisance. But in areas such as Africa and Southeast Asia, the bite can be deadly. There, many mosquitoes transmit a disease called malaria—and malaria can be a killer. In Africa, one child dies from malaria every thirty seconds.… View available downloads →

Awards

  • Science Books & Films Best Books, Winner, 2011
  • California Collection, Winner, 2011
  • SSLI Book Award Best Book, Winner, 2011

Reviews

The Horn Book Guide

“In each volume, Markle weaves stories of two or three individuals suffering from the title disease or disorder in among scientific information about the malady and its treatment. Because the personal stories are so well integrated into the text, the science won’t overwhelm readers. Frequent full-color photos and micrographs demonstrate treatments and lab findings and further connect readers with the featured individuals.” —The Horn Book Guide

The Horn Book Guide

“In the mid-twentieth century, malaria was severely curtailed or eradicated in many places. Now it has returned and is spreading. Eight chapters clearly cover malaria’s long history, how it is spread, why it’s resurging, and what’s being done to fight it. Photographs show germ-spreading mosquitoes, malaria victims, and people working to conquer the disease. Maps, micrographs, diagrams, and text boxes enhance the information.” —The Horn Book Guide

School Library Journal

“This title offers students an eye-opening view of what life is like in other parts of the world and the dangers faced by people in developing countries.” —School Library Journal

Science Books & Films

Battling Malaria is a fantastic overview of one of the world’s deadliest killers! From the trained scientist who simply wants a review of this global disease to the high school student who is just beginning to understand the life-cycle complexities of a single-celled parasitic organism, readers will appreciate this very nice overview of the challenges that malaria poses for mankind.” —Science Books & Films

NSTA

“The book could easily be used as supplemental material for units on microbiology, parasitism, or biomedical advances. Its depth of content makes it suitable for reading, research, and as a source of material for debates. Additional resources included in the book are a malaria timeline and sources of information for students.” —NSTA