Poison:

Deadly Deeds, Perilous Professions, and Murderous Medicines

Illustrated by Karl Newsom Edwards

For centuries, people have been poisoning one another—changing personal lives and the course of empires alike.

Part history, part chemistry, part whodunit, Poison: Deadly Deeds, Perilous Professions, and Murderous Medicines traces the role poisons have played in history from antiquity to the present and shines a ghoulish light on the deadly intersection of human nature . . . and Mother Nature.

Age Range: 8 – 14
Grade Level: 3–8
Softcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Random House/Crown Books for Young Readers (2017)

ISBN: 978-1-101932230

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Praise

A Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Awards Honor Book

A Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year

★ “Once the convulsing bodies and pools of vomit are cleared away, readers will find a tantalizing history of poisons, which they’ll be hard-pressed to put down. Having previously covered topics like poop and bugs, Albee is a pro at honing in on subjects that kids love, and this is no exception. . . .[Albee’s] light tone makes this morbid, well-researched study a sinister indulgence.”

—Booklist starred review

“[T]he timeline, glossary and resource guide are useful, the plentiful black and white illustrations entertaining, and the browsing potential practically limitless.”

–Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books

“A compelling, entertaining, and informative introduction to a sinister aspect of human history.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Ideal for readers, including reluctant ones, who delight in the science and scare factor of poisons or grotesque medicine.”

—School Library Journal