Terrible Typhoid Mary
A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America
HarperCollins · Print & ebook · August 1, 2023
In a riveting biography that reads like a crime novel, Sibert medalist and Newbery Honor winner Susan Campbell Bartoletti uncovers the true story of Mary Mallon, a.k.a.
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- Who it’s for
- A crime-novel-like biography opens questions of reputation, public health, and Mary Mallon’s rights.
- Themes
- Human and constitutional rights, Public health and disease misconceptions, Reputation and public legacy
- Pacing
- Fast
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Start with this bookAbout this book
In a riveting biography that reads like a crime novel, Sibert medalist and Newbery Honor winner Susan Campbell Bartoletti uncovers the true story of Mary Mallon, a.k.a. Typhoid Mary, one of the most misunderstood women in American history. With archival photographs and text, among other primary sources, this riveting biography looks beyond the tabloid scandal of Mary's controversial life.
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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? What happens when a person's reputation has been forever damaged? And who is really responsible for the lasting legacy of Typhoid Mary? Terrible Typhoid Mary also examines extreme public health measures at the time and public misconceptions around disease. Includes an author's note, timeline, annotated source notes, and bibliography.
Beyond the Scandal
A crime-novel-like biography opens questions of reputation, public health, and Mary Mallon’s rights.
Come here for
- A true story that reads with the pull of a crime novel
- The human and constitutional questions behind a notorious name
Expect
- Archival photographs and primary sources
- A closer look at disease, public health, and enduring misconceptions
Where it sits
| Lives in History | 64% |
|---|---|
| 20th Century America for Teens | 34% |
| Diseases & Illnesses | 23% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Social Themes for Teens
- Lives in History
- Activist Biographies
- Family
Show all 8 publisher categories
- Diseases & Illnesses
- 19th Century America for Teens
- 20th Century America for Teens
- Law & Crime for Teens
- Authors
- Susan Campbell Bartoletti
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- August 1, 2023
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Human and constitutional rights · Public health and disease misconceptions · Reputation and public legacy
- Reading lane
- Social Themes for Teens