Book details
Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America
Description
What happens when a person's reputation has been forever damaged?
With archival photographs and text among other primary sources, this riveting biography of Mary Mallon by the Sibert medalist and Newbery Honor winner Susan Bartoletti looks beyond the tabloid scandal of Mary's controversial life.
How she was treated by medical and legal officials reveals a lesser-known story of human and constitutional rights, entangled with the science of pathology and enduring questions about who Mary Mallon really was.
How did her name become synonymous with deadly disease? And who is really responsible for the lasting legacy of Typhoid Mary?
This thorough exploration includes an author's note, timeline, annotated source notes, and bibliography.
Age
12-13
Text complexity
advanced
Length
229 pages
Why to read
- Understand the historical context of typhoid fever and its impact on society.
- Explore the ethical dilemmas faced in public health and individual rights.
- Learn about the life and trials of Mary Mallon, an infamous figure in medical history.
- Engage with a well-researched narrative that brings early 20th-century New York to life.