Reviews

Dr. Fauci: How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America's Doctor by Kate Messner

bet27's review

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3.0

(More 3.5 stars)

readingthroughtheages's review

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4.0

A real life hero!

heisereads's review

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4.0

A strong message about the mindset that can lead to science discovery. Excellent back matter.

little_silver's review

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4.0

Works for discussions of mindset and scientific process

abigailbat's review

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I mean, it's a picture book biography of Dr. Fauci. It seems fine if you have kids interested to know more about his life.

mezzythedragon's review

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4.0

I like how Messner mentions Fauci’s work re: the AIDS pandemic. I also like the end, where he encourages kids to make mistakes, since that’s what a lot of science entails. Lastly, nice kid-friendly info re: how vaccines work.

libraryrobin's review

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3.0

A cute and concise biography of the famous doctor, followed by information on vaccines and Fauci family photos.

backonthealex's review

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4.0

For a lot of people, it felt like the world turned upside down in March 2020 as cases of COVID-19 began to rapidly spread and sometimes it felt like no one in high places cared. But, there was one person who did care - Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. But who exactly is this quiet unassuming man with the big smile and characteristic Brooklyn accent? Author Kate Messner apparently asked herself the same question and set out to find the answer and what she discovered was this...

Anthony Fauci was a curious boy, always asking questions about the things he observed in the world and how they actually worked. Lucky for him, Anthony's father was very supportive, helping him with homework when it was needed, and telling him to not get discouraged, to think carefully and try to work problems out. Important advice that Anthony carries with him to this day. His father owned a pharmacy and Anthony worked for him delivering prescriptions to neighborhood people. He also figured out speed was his friend, allowing him to join the older, tougher kids playing stickball in his Bensonhurst neighborhood and later to be on with his high school's basketball team, despite being shorter than most players.


In high school, Anthony also decided to become a doctor. After graduating college and medical school (first in his class), Anthony went to work at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, where he studied new diseases as they emerged, searching for answers to help people who became sick. Aids, Sars, Ebola, West Nile were all new diseases that needed answers and either cures or vaccines. Then, in 2020, COVID-19 arrived in the United States.

By now, an expert in his field, Dr. Fauci knew people wanted answers and they wanted them quickly. But, as COVID-19 spread and more and more people became sick, it seemed to were no answers. But, Dr. Fauci knew there had to be a solution.

Pretty soon, there were guidelines for people to help contain the virus. Dr. Fauci consulted with researchers and doctors around the world. Finally, in less than a year, a vaccine was ready. Maybe life could get back to normal again...until the next challenge. But he was ready for it.

Dr. Fauci: How a Boy From Brooklyn Became America's Doctor is, to say the least, a very timely biography as well as one that is very accessible to young readers who might be worried about what they hear or experience with regard to COVID-19, given all the controversy surrounding mask wearing and vaccines. As always with a nonfiction book written by Kate Messner, it is well researched and thought out resulting in a very inspiring picture of a man we see so often on television, but don't really know.

The cartoon-style digitally rendered illustrations are colorful, diverse and have lots of kid appeal. Most are two page full-bleed spreads that contribute so much additional detail to the text.

Messner has also included some important back matter including information on how vaccines work and their safety. My favorite part is "Dr. Fauci's Five Tips for Future Scientists" written by Dr. Fauci. There is also a Time Line of his life, recommended reading and Messner's list of Sources, as well as some of Dr. Fauci's personal photographs. She also had a Zoom interview with Dr. Fauci in November 2020.

You can find a detailed, 9-page Educator's Guide for this book HERE

I'm a Brooklyn girl and a big fan of Dr. Fauci, so you know I really scrutinized this book and I found it to be an excellent biography. And even though I don't like needles one bit, I got pfizered on Dr. Fauci's recommendation.

This book is recommended for readers age 4+
This book was provided to me by Audrey Gibbons at Simon & Schuster

kverity's review

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informative inspiring fast-paced

3.0

This is a great introduction to a famous public figure--Dr. Fauci. While the book briefly mentions some other work that he's known for (one page is given to AIDS crisis and West Nile and SARS are mentioned) after describing his childhood, the rest of the book focuses on COVID. I thought the short aside about his grandfather and mass didn't really fit with the rest of the book, and maybe there were parts that could be fleshed out a little more, but overall, it was a good picture book biography that can encourage a scientific mindset in students. 

kkondrick's review

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4.0

A fantastic, short picture book explaining how determination will help you succeed. Biographical timeline and how vaccines are tested included at end.