Germ Wars!

The Secrets of Protecting Your Body

by Melissa Stewart

Benchmark Books, 2010

for Grades 3 to 5

ISBN 978–0‑76144–165‑6

Purchase this book at your local independent bookseller or Amazon.com.

The lively, conversational tone and blend of photos and cartoon-style art make Germ Wars! The Secrets of Protecting Your Body a perfect blend of fun facts and serious science learning about how humans and other animals protect themselves from tiny invaders. Here at last — a book that’s irreverent enough to captivate young readers, yet authoritative enough to win the praise of teachers, librarians, and parents.

Honors and Awards

Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrator/Anna Cross Giblin Nonfiction Research Grant

Reviews

“The Gross and Goofy Body [series of books] enlivens physiology for kids, offering humorous yet scientific surveys of body functions in just under 50 pages each. Kids in grades 2–4 will find [these books] appealing and fun. Each blends photos with fun cartoons and photos of kids, along with plenty of basic physiology.” (Children’s Bookwatch)

“Despite its irreverent moniker, the Gross and Goofy Body series offers detailed science facts in a fashion approachable enough to make it a welcome supplement to school textbooks. Each volume takes on a part or function of the body and then goes through the paces of description, metaphor, examples, data, and, most extensively, comparison to our animal counterparts. … the layout is fresh, clean, and colorful, sidebars keep things conversational, and the back matter is solid.” (Booklist)

Behind the Book

“This was the final book in the Gross and Goofy Body series, and it’s probably the most disgusting of them all. Who knew that our body’s bodyguards were so sticky, slimy, and smelly? From sneezing and coughing to snot and vomit, this book is full of the body functions that sometimes make us cringe. I have to admit, when I hit save for the final time and closed the file, I was a little bit sad. These books have been a huge part of my life for the last two years. I’ll miss working on them with uber-talented editor Joy Bean.”