Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine

A biography of the scientist and humanitarian who discovered the vaccine for polio, a disease which crippled many people in the early part of the twentieth century.

Children's Literature

Polio, a devastating disease, was without a cure before Jonas Salk perfected a vaccine to stop its spread. The book begins with Salk's childhood and continues with his life in an age prevalent with polio; he attends and graduates from medical school, makes a mark for himself as a researcher, and finally discovers a vaccine to curb the disease that has swept the nation for years. The author clearly explains Salk's life and the medical work he conducted in his search for a successful polio vaccine. It touches on Franklin Delano Roosevelt's role in the polio fight and on Salk's rivalry with Dr. Albert Sabin, an advocate for a live virus vaccine in opposition to Salk's dead virus vaccine. This book is part of the "Unlocking the Secrets of Science" series that highlights notable contributors in medicine, science, and technology during the 20th century. Black-and-white photos are featured throughout. Additional useful backmatter includes a chronology of Salk's life, a polio timeline, suggested reading and a glossary. The book would be an asset to a science or history curriculum. 2002, Mitchell Lane, $17.95. Ages 10 to 16. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury