Red Madness

One hundred years ago, a mysterious and alarming illness spread across America's South, striking tens of thousands of victims. No one knew what caused it or how to treat it. People were left weak, disfigured, insane, and in some cases, dead.

Award-winning science and history writer Gail Jarrow tracks this disease, commonly known as pellagra, and highlights how doctors, scientists, and public health officials finally defeated it. Illustrated with 100 archival photographs, Red Madness includes stories about real-life pellagra victims and accounts of scientific investigations. It concludes with a glossary, timeline, further resources, author's note, bibliography, and index. This book is perfect to share with young readers looking for a historical perspective of the Covid-19/Coronavirus pandemic that is gripping the world today.NSTA/CBC Best STEM Book
YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Nominee
School Library Journal Best Book 
Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year
CCBC Choices

★ " . . . This title is descriptive and well researched, with a striking bold-red color scheme. Though the images are graphic and potentially disturbing, they are not sensationalized, and enhance the narrative. This is an excellent addition to nonfiction collections in school and public libraries." --School Library Journal, starred review

"Jarrow delves into the debilitating and oft-forgotten disease that became a public health crisis in the U.S. early in the twentieth century. . . A visually dramatic medical mystery, this is cross-curricular and of high interest." --BooklistGail Jarrow's books have earned many awards, including the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults, a Sibert Honor, Orbis Pictus Honor, YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction finalist, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book, NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book and Best STEM book, The Jefferson Cup Award, a Eureka! Gold Award, as well as Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal Best Books and VOYA Honor Book distinctions. She lives in Ithaca, New York. Visit gailjarrow.com.