How A Boy from Brooklyn Became America's Doctor
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
(Simon & Schuster)
(pub.6.29.2021) 48 pages
Author: Kate Messner
Illustrator: Alexandra Bye
Character: Dr. Anthony Fauci
Overview: "Before he was Dr. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony Fauci was a curious boy in Brooklyn, delivering prescriptions from his father’s pharmacy on his blue Schwinn bicycle. His father and immigrant grandfather taught Anthony to ask questions, consider all the data, and never give up—and Anthony’s ability to stay curious and to communicate with people would serve him his entire life.
This engaging narrative, which draws from interviews the author did with Dr. Fauci himself, follows Anthony from his Brooklyn beginnings through medical school and his challenging role working with seven US presidents to tackle some of the biggest public health challenges of the past fifty years, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Extensive back matter rounds out Dr. Fauci’s story with a timeline, recommended reading, a full spread of facts about vaccines and how they work, and Dr. Fauci’s own tips for future scientists."
Tantalizing taste:
"In high school Anthony realized he wanted to be a doctor. He went to college and got a summer job working construction to help pay for his tuition. When the crew was building a new library for the Cornell medical college in New York City, Anthony snuck inside to peek at the grand auditorium. What would it be like to learn in such an extraordinary place?
Then a guard showed up. Anthony's work boots were tracking mud all over the floor! Anthony told the guard that he was going to attend medical school there in a year. The guard laughed and asked him to leave. So Anthony left ... but not for long.
He attended that medical school and graduated first in his class. Now he was Dr. Fauci!"
And something more:
The "Are Vaccines Safe?" section in the back matter shares: "Did you know ... when you roll up your sleeve for a vaccine, it doesn't protect only you? By boosting your immune system to fight disease, you also help to make sure you won't spread germs to your family, friends, or community. Getting a vaccine makes you a disease-fighting superhero!"
And Kate Messner's book dedication for DR. FAUCI recognizes superheroes during this pandemic:
"For all the scientists, health care professionals, first responders, and essential workers,
Thank you.
And for the scientists and problem-solvers of tomorrow,
Dream big."
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