From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up?A clear writing style combines factual exposition and human-interest stories to relate basic information about the disease and the people who struggle with it. An optimistic yet realistic outlook is maintained, with emphasis on the effects of leukemia on young people. Black-and-white photographs break up the text and give visual representation to some of the topics under discussion. Microphotography is used to show diseased cells contrasted with healthy specimens. Some pictures are poorly composed, and one of them is also out of focus. The authors cover some of the same material found in Cynthia Margolies's Understanding Leukemia (Scribners, 1983; o.p.), but their book is briefer and for readers wanting a less detailed treatment of the subject.?Lois McCulley, Wichita Falls High School, TXCopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 7-12. "The word leukemia strikes fear into the hearts of many people. What is it about this disease that makes it so frightening?" The authors answer these and several other basic questions in an introductory survey that discusses the different types of leukemia, causes and treatment, living with the disease, and the research frontiers. Repeated emphasis on how much more successful the cure rate is today than in past years is heartening yet in no way masks the very real threat leukemia still poses. Magnified cell slides and drawings help one visualize the unhealthy white-cell growth characterizing leukemia, though at one point, the explanation of the different types of white cells is a little confusing. Through the excellent coverage of bone-marrow transplants, readers will learn about receiving marrow from a donor--usually a relative--and autologous transplants, in which a portion of a patient's own healthy marrow is removed, either in the early stages of the disease or at a time of remission, and stored for a future transplant. This is a fine addition to science and health collections. Black-and-white photographs; glossary; bibliography; list of organizations. Anne O'Malley

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Leukemia is a form of cancer that damages the body's ability to make blood cells. The results include an inability to fight off disease, improper clotting of blood following injury, loss of energy, and death.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-A clear writing style combines factual exposition and human-interest stories to relate basic information about the disease and the people who struggle with it. An optimistic yet realistic outlook is maintained, with emphasis on the effects of leukemia on young people. Black-and-white photographs break up the text and give visual representation to some of the topics under discussion. Microphotography is used to show diseased cells contrasted with healthy specimens. Some pictures are poorly composed, and one of them is also out of focus. The authors cover some of the same material found in Cynthia Margolies's Understanding Leukemia (Scribners, 1983; o.p.), but their book is briefer and for readers wanting a less detailed treatment of the subject.-Lois McCulley, Wichita Falls High School, TX

BookList - Anne O'Malley