MMGM: The Human Body

Today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday pick



First in a new Smithsonian series from Viking,
The Human Body, by H. P. Newquist
The Story of How We Protect, Repair, and Make Ourselves Stronger

The Human Body
The Story of How We Protect, Repair, and Make Ourselves Stronger

Written by H. P. Newquist
Smithsonian: Invention & Impact (Book 1)

Viking Books for Young Readers, 2015
Ages 8 and up
112 pages, Lexile 1130


Themes:
Non-fiction, Science


Overview:
“We’re going to see how flesh and bone have given way to wood and metal, glass and gold, carbon fiber and computers,” says the introduction to this overview of medical innovations. The first section, “Body Parts,” which takes up more than half of the book, focuses on the history of prosthetics and replacements, from glass eyes to dental implants to artificial hearts; the middle section, “The Medicine Cabinet,” focuses on soap, aspirin, and antibiotics; a final section, “Tools and Treatments,”  talks about the development of surgery, ways to peek inside the body and its processes from stethoscopes to MRIs, and vaccines. ... Reproductions of period and contemporary images, sometimes adding a gross and/or a cool factor, enliven the pages; a list of web and print resources and an index are included.

Overview courtesy Project Muse


Thoughts:
This book focuses on what humans do to repair and improve body parts and functions. I find that a fascinating approach and a great way to organize the material so kids will want to read it. The material is never dry, but enthusiastic and optimistic. Middle schoolers are bound to oh and ah over the history of prosthetics, the torture-like tools of early medicine, and the technological advances presented in this collection.

Did you know eyes were made from more than just glass or porcelain? False eye balls have been manufactured from rubber, cork, bone, wax, wool, and even gold. Did you know where the inventor of contact lenses got his inspiration? He realized there was no infection around the glass shards imbedded in fighter pilots eyes. Gross!

Did you know the Egyptians were some of the first to use false teeth, but they were for mummified bodies, not the living! Early false teeth in other civilizations were carved from sea shells or collected from dead people.

Did you know how early doctors scraped the pus from cow pustules, inserting it into cuts on their patients' arms to prevent further infection? How many were ridiculed and arrested?

Find out about mummification. See the progression from peg legs to modern running blades. Learn how aspirin finds the headache and what happened to Marie Curie's notebooks.

The author relates a smattering of cutting-edge examples as well, from the scientist who has implanted a communication device in both his and his wife's arms which they can feel anywhere in the world, to the mid-western dad who was able to download and print a prosthetic hand for his middle-schooler—for under $20!

As a creationist, I did find a few misleading "facts" and I shuddered at the philosophy that science should be used to "improve" the body's design. But the author presents even these viewpoints without moral comment. He never tackles the consequences of past or present methods. I see that as an opportunity for discussion rather than a disappointing lack of ethics. I enjoyed the author's passion for the subject and his presentation, allowing readers to form their own judgments.

This is the ultimate coffee table book. Browse. Marvel. Repeat.

Have you reviewed a Marvelous Middle Grade Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations for November 14, 2016.

MMGM started way back in 2010 by Shannon Messenger, author of Keeper of Lost Cities. Each week, participating bloggers review our favorite books for ages 8-12. Why not join us?