101 Questions about Your Immune System You Felt Defenseless to Answer until Now »

Questions and answers explain the human immune system and how it works, as well as allergies and vaccines.

VOYA

After polling students to discover what questions they had about the immune system, Brynie offers the most-asked questions in this volume. Attractively arranged, questions appear at the side with the answers in text beside them. Numerous illustrations, photos, and charts help explain complex concepts. A series of photographs show the death of cancer cells after various types of radiation and chemotherapy treatments. A chart gives a good visual picture of an asthma attack. Three tables offer a wonderful overview of the mission of specific organs, tissues, cells, and chemicals involved in the immune response. With the aid of clear and concise writing, students can learn what comprises the immune system and how it works. There are sections on food allergies, HIV and AIDS, organ transplants, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Special attention is paid to the Four Corners virus outbreak in 1993 that was eventually traced to deer mouse droppings. An excellent glossary helps with the medical vocabulary. The index is well done and more than compensates for the question-and-answer format that can make finding specific information difficult. This attractive volume would be useful for science research and reports. Glossary. Index. Illus. Photos. Charts. Source Notes. Further Reading. VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2000, Twenty-First Century, 176p. PLB . Ages 12 to 15. Reviewer: Susan Allen SOURCE: VOYA, April 2001 (Vol. 24, No.1)