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Jim Murphy
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Invincible Microbe: Tuberculosis and the Never-Ending Search for a Cure Hardcover – July 10, 2012

by Jim Murphy (Author), Alison Blank (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 87 ratings
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This is the story of a killer that has been striking people down for thousands of years:
tuberculosis. After centuries of ineffective treatments, the microorganism that causes
TB was identified, and the cure was thought to be within reach—but drug-resistant
varieties continue to plague and panic the human race. The “biography” of this deadly
germ, an account of the diagnosis, treatment, and “cure” of the disease over time,
and the social history of an illness that could strike anywhere but was most prevalent
among the poor are woven together in an engrossing, carefully researched narrative.
Bibliography, source notes, index.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    9 - 13 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    160 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    5 - 7
  5. Lexile measure
    1200L
  6. Dimensions
    7 x 0.61 x 9 inches
  7. Publisher
    Clarion Books
  8. Publication date
    July 10, 2012
  9. ISBN-10
    0618535748
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0618535743
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lively text complemented by excellent, well-placed reproductions of photographs, drawings, flyers, woodcuts, posters and ads . . . . Who knew the biography of a germ could be so fascinating?" —Kirkus Review, starred review"This is a solid and timely addition to nonfiction resources on sickness and human history."—VOYA, 4Q 3P J S"An engaging read."—Horn Book"The writing is crisp and clinical . . . Students researching diseases or medical breakthroughs will find this book both informative and interesting."—School Library Journal, starred review"Wide ranging in breadth, yet always well focused on the topic at hand, this fascinating book offers a sharply detailed picture of tuberculosis throughout history."—Booklist, starred review

About the Author

Jim Murphy's compelling nonfiction books for young readers have received a long list of awards, including two Newbery Honors and a Sibert Medal. This is his first collaboration with his wife, Alison Blank, a children's media creator.They have two sons and live in Maplewood, New Jersey. Visit Jim Murphy at www.jimmurphybooks.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarion Books; 1st edition (July 10, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0618535748
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0618535743
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 13 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1200L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 5 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.08 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.61 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 87 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Jim Murphy

Jim Murphy

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Jim Murphy began his career in children's books as an editor, but managed to escape to become a writer, entering a life of personal and creative happiness and enduring financial uncertainty. He's convinced that the latter keeps him coming back to his computer to write every day and feels that a sense of impending doom is the doorway to creativity. He has never counted the number of books he's published (feeling the time and energy is better spent doing research and writing) but guesses that he has over thirty books to his credit. Jim's work has been honored with numerous awards, including two American Llibrary Association Newbery Honor Book Awards, an ALA Robert F. Sibert Award and Sibert Honor Book Award, three National Council of Teachers of English Orbis Pictus Awards, a Boston Globe/Horn Book Award and a BG/HB Honor Book Award, two SCBWI Golden Kite Awards, and been a finalist for the National Book Award. Recently, he was given the ALA Margaret A. Edwards Award for "his significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature."

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
87 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

joysworld
5.0 out of 5 stars My 7th and 4th graders absolutely loved this book
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book was used for our homeschool as a read outloud. My 7th and 4th graders absolutely loved this book. It prompted a lot of discussion and we learned a lot. Definitely recommend this book.
2 people found this helpful
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Michelle
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2018
Verified Purchase
This was a fascinating history of tuberculosis. I had no idea how prevalent it was throughout history and throughout humanity. Highly recommend.
One person found this helpful
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Churchlady
5.0 out of 5 stars Condition of book
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2012
Verified Purchase
The book itself is easy to read, clearly written, informative, and well researched. Whether you have a history with tuberculosis or not, it is very interesting. However, the "new" book arrived with several pages dog-earred and turned down at the corners. Very disappointing for a new book.
One person found this helpful
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Elizabeth Brookes
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2017
Verified Purchase
Very informative book. Bought it for my mom who was in a sanitarium for 5 years with TB.
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K Lang
5.0 out of 5 stars 8-year-old loves this book
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book was recommended as the type of reading that Common Core State Standards require and I agree. As a parent, my 8-year-old son really got a lot out of the book and couldn't put it down.
One person found this helpful
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b b
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
Used this book for my son's science. Well written and informative.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Aside from the propaganda, it's good
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2014
Verified Purchase
I purchased this book for homeschooling for a living books curriculum. The author clearly holds the view of long ages evolution and uses this to demonstrate the length of time he believes TB to have survived over time. (The invincible from the dawn of time microbe!) We teach creation in our homeschool, but this book will be instrumental for teaching our children to read with discernment. The author also has an interesting political agenda to push. Mexican illegal immigration is mentioned and given too much weight, in my opinion. I suppose the intention was to mirror the political climate today.. the author leaves you feeling he believes the government should provide healthcare for citizens and non-citizens alike, regardless of anyone's ability to pay, and especially with such dangerous a disease as TB. All of this provides beautiful fodder for dialectic students and for socratic discussions; and so we like the book very much, even if we differ with the opinions of the author.
3 people found this helpful
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Osakwe
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2023
The Invincible Microbe: Tuberculosis is a non-fiction book written by Jim Murphy and Alison Blank that provides a comprehensive history around the deadly bacterial disease, tuberculosis. It also explores the scientific, social, and cultural aspects of tuberculosis, explaining how it has impacted people of different ages, races, and social classes.

The book is divided into eleven chapters, each providing a different perspective on tuberculosis. The first few chapters cover the history of the disease, diving into its impact on society, including its association with poverty and its impact on public health policies. Additionally, the efforts made to combat the disease. The later chapters explore the scientific aspects of the disease, including its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

The authors’ main goal in writing this book is to raise awareness about tuberculosis and its impact on society. They provide a wealth of evidence to support their arguments, referencing historical records, scientific studies, and personal accounts. The evidence presented is comprehensive and convincing, and the authors do an excellent job of explaining complex scientific concepts in an easily understandable manner.

The book is very well written, with a good writing style that is both informative and engaging, and the authors’ enthusiasm for the topic is evident. This makes the book suitable for anybody to read, as it also does not assume any prior knowledge of Tuberculosis.

The book’s greatest strength is its comprehensive coverage of tuberculosis. The authors provide an in-depth analysis of the disease, its history, and its impact on society. The book’s weakness from my perspective is that it can be a bit tedious, especially when discussing the scientific aspects of the disease. Additionally, the book could have benefitted from more visual aids, such as diagrams and illustrations, to help the readers better understand the science behind the disease.

Overall, The Invincible Microbe: Tuberculosis is an informative and engaging book that provides a thorough exploration of tuberculosis. I would recommend this book to a wide range of readers, in particular to those interested in history or science. The book is well written and easy to read, making it accessible to a wide audience. It is very interesting and provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the impact of tuberculosis on society.
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Top reviews from other countries

Chris Dell
5.0 out of 5 stars Well researched and informative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
As a former TB patient I found this book to be well researched and informative giving the history of the disease and its eventual cure with streptomycin. Well presented and illustrated.
Chris Dell
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