Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Bibliography:
Bartoletti, Susan C. 2015. Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780544313675
Plot Summary:
Have you ever heard of the term Typhoid Mary but didn't know where the expression originated from? Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America is a compelling biography of Mary Mallon, the first known asymptomatic Typhoid carrier, and her resilient story of unknowingly infecting several wealthy families in early nineteenth-century New York. Recount the story of the deadliest cook in America forced against her will into quarantine twice throughout her life and up until her death, written by the credible award-winning author Susan Campbell Bartoletti. Supported by factual evidence, archival photographs, and a detailed timeline, this true story explores the depths of prevention control and America's history of germs and disease.
Critical Analysis:
Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America by Susan Campbell Bartoletti is a YA nonfiction social history biography accurately researched and supported by creditable sources. Bartoletti provides a valid account of Mary Mallon's life as a cook in New York and the investigator, George Soper, who eventually caught her. Presented in a clear layout of authentic examination, reference, archival photographic evidence, and a distinct timeline of events. The author is an award-winning nonfiction writer who sets the enthusiastic tone of fact-based documentation not to be left up to interpretation.
Readers from middle-grade to adults will enjoy reading this interesting biography, which invokes critical analysis and further investigation. This story will also make readers think twice when washing their hands and handling food as the cringe-worthy graphic text provides enough background to create a realistic germ-saturated depiction of life before the invention of antibiotics; it especially rings true to current events of 2020/2021. Readers will grasp a better understanding of the significance of this remarkable account of American history.
Awards & Recognitions:
- NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book 2016
Connections:
- Teach a lesson about germs, how it is spread, and the importance of handwashing and hand sanitizing.
- After the lecture, conduct a moldy bread science experiment: Moldy Bread Experiment.
- Teach children proper handwashing techniques, including scrubbing their wrists and fingernails. Good handwashing hygiene habits should take 15-20 seconds, encourage children to sing the ABC song (about 15 - 20 seconds long) while washing their hands to help them learn that they've sanitized for the time required.
Read more nonfiction novels by Susan Campbell Bartoletti:
- Black Potatoes: The Story of the Great Irish Famine, 1845-1850. ISBN: 9780618548835
- Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow. ISBN: 9780439353793
- They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group. ISBN: 9780618440337