by Philippa Werry Published by Scholastic, 2008
This book is set during the polio (infantile paralysis) epidemic in Wellington, New Zealand in the 1930’s and 1940’s.
Tom’s family shares the concern and fear about the disease, and when his sister becomes ill and is taken away to hospital, they experience the community’s reactions, both good (food left on the doorstep) and bad (my mum says I can’t play with you). The schools were shut (lessons were published in the daily newspaper, and broadcast on the radio), and children were not allowed to meet together in places such as picture theatres and swimming pools, either.
The ignorance and fear, and the (nowadays regarded as inhumane) way of treating polio patients, or any hospitalisation of children can make harrowing reading, but the story ends on a hopeful note, with the introduction of Australian Nurse Kenny’s method of treatment.
Brief factual notes are included at the end of the story. Best suited for Year 6 and older.
This is a welcome addition to our NZ historical fiction, especially as it encompasses a part of our history which is not written about very much.
Reviewed by Lynn
Thursday, 12 June 2008
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1 comments:
Finished this book in bed this morning (don't you just love Sunday mornings?), and found it well worth reading. I still have the mark from my polio inoculation on my left arm, and remember reading June Opie's "Over my dead body" while at secondary school. Sadly, many of those caught in the epidemic are now suffering the after effects of their polio after having been well for many years.....this book is a worthwhile addition to the growing NZ history genre.
Jan
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