Little Monsters

November 7, 2011
With humor, eloquence, and smart analysis, Marrin (Years of Dust) looks into the surprisingly complex relationship between humans and parasites. While discussing the pests responsible for spreading plague, malaria, and typhus (and human efforts to combat them), he also points out the benefits provided by certain parasites. There’s a definite ick factor at work (one of many b&w photographs gives a closeup view of a leech on a man’s fingertip; another image depicts a Guinea worm emerging from a blister in its host’s foot), but even squeamish readers should appreciate the clear, balanced approach to exploring some of our more unpleasant cohabiters. Ages 9–12.