Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Clarion Books (2015), 144 pages
Description
Biography & Autobiography. Juvenile Nonfiction. Science. HTML: In 1944 a groundbreaking operation repaired the congenital heart defect known as blue baby syndrome. The operation's success brought the surgeon Alfred Blalock international fame and paved the way for open-heart surgery. But the technique had been painstakingly developed by Vivien Thomas, Blalock's African American lab assistant, who stood behind Blalock in the operating room to give him step-by-step instructions. The stories of this medical and social breakthrough and the lives of Thomas, Blalock, and their colleague Dr. Helen Taussig are intertwined in this compelling nonfiction narrative..
User reviews
LibraryThing member ewyatt
In 1944, the first experimental surgery to save a dying blue baby in order to deliver more oxygen in the blood was performed. Dr. Blalock, head surgeon at Johns Hopkins, performed the procedure. The book details the amount of research done to innovate to get to the operating room. From theory to
The book explored the partnership between Thomas and Blalock. Blalock as a white southern doctor and Thomas, an African-American man unable to go to medical school due to the stock market crash, made an unlikely pair and the realities of racial dynamics during their lifetimes certainly played a role in their dynamic and the amount of recognition Thomas was given in his contributions, at least earlier in his career.
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developing instruments to designing technique, much of this work was done by a lab assistant, Vivien Thomas. The book explored the partnership between Thomas and Blalock. Blalock as a white southern doctor and Thomas, an African-American man unable to go to medical school due to the stock market crash, made an unlikely pair and the realities of racial dynamics during their lifetimes certainly played a role in their dynamic and the amount of recognition Thomas was given in his contributions, at least earlier in his career.
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LibraryThing member eduscapes
BREAKTHROUGH by Jim Murphy tells the fascinating true story of the three researchers responsible for developing a procedure to treat “blue baby syndrome”.
Aimed at the middle grades and young adults, the engaging nonfiction narrative explores how three people came together to create a
Murphy is known for his effective use of primary source documents. While the book contains photos of the people involved and some images of medical procedures, it lacks the wealth of photographs, diagrams, and other illustrations that bring Murphy’s other works to life.
The book contains source notes, a bibliography, and an index that are useful in research. However, the narrative style will make it difficult for students to use for research projects unless they read the entire work.
Librarians will find that this book will appeal to students who enjoy narrative nonfiction related to science and medicine. However unlike some of his other books, it’s not likely to appeal to reluctant readers.
This title would be an excellent addition to the library’s growing collection of books that connect STEM with issues of diversity.
Published by Clarion on December 8, 2015. ARC from the publisher.
Aimed at the middle grades and young adults, the engaging nonfiction narrative explores how three people came together to create a
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groundbreaking medical procedure to repair a severe type of heart defeat. What makes the book particularly compelling is that each contributor faced professional challenges. As an African-American, Thomas faced prejudice and as a woman, Blalock dealt with gender-bias. Murphy is known for his effective use of primary source documents. While the book contains photos of the people involved and some images of medical procedures, it lacks the wealth of photographs, diagrams, and other illustrations that bring Murphy’s other works to life.
The book contains source notes, a bibliography, and an index that are useful in research. However, the narrative style will make it difficult for students to use for research projects unless they read the entire work.
Librarians will find that this book will appeal to students who enjoy narrative nonfiction related to science and medicine. However unlike some of his other books, it’s not likely to appeal to reluctant readers.
This title would be an excellent addition to the library’s growing collection of books that connect STEM with issues of diversity.
Published by Clarion on December 8, 2015. ARC from the publisher.
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LibraryThing member Carolee888
Breakthrough! How Three People Saved Blue Babies and Changed Medicine forever by Jim Murphy proves that great step forwards in medicine involve fascinating people who had to push for those advances. Three people who among those in the operating room when little Eileen Saxon received the first
Dr. Alfred Blaylock, the chief surgeon at the operation was known for being a playboy and it was feared that he did not take medicine seriously. Vivien Thomas, a black man, Blaylock’s lab assistant had never been to college but his determination and quick learning ability convinced Dr. Blaylock to have him as his lab assistant. Vivien was a very hard worker and had chosen this job over better paying jobs. He had wanted to be a doctor but the Great Depression took away all his hopes for that. Dr. Helen Taussig, took courses at Boston University and Harvard but they would not allow her a degree because she was a woman. Her determination and care for the children led her to be a real pioneer for blue babies.
I picked this book out to read because my brother, Billy, was a blue baby so I wanted to learn more about the history of advances in treatment. Now I know much more about why he wasn’t able to get enough oxygen and about the people who pushed for solutions against this problem. The author, Jim Murphy told their story with the facts that we need to know and made it all very interesting. There are lots of wonderful black and white illustrations that carry you back to the times and very informative footnotes in the back of this book.
I highly recommend this book and hope to read more written by Jim Murphy.
I received this Advanced Reading Copy by making a selection from Amazon Vine books but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review. I also posted this review only on sites meant for reading not for selling.
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operation for blue babies. Even though she did not live long after the operation, it was proof that operating on tiny hearts could be done and the patient could survive.Dr. Alfred Blaylock, the chief surgeon at the operation was known for being a playboy and it was feared that he did not take medicine seriously. Vivien Thomas, a black man, Blaylock’s lab assistant had never been to college but his determination and quick learning ability convinced Dr. Blaylock to have him as his lab assistant. Vivien was a very hard worker and had chosen this job over better paying jobs. He had wanted to be a doctor but the Great Depression took away all his hopes for that. Dr. Helen Taussig, took courses at Boston University and Harvard but they would not allow her a degree because she was a woman. Her determination and care for the children led her to be a real pioneer for blue babies.
I picked this book out to read because my brother, Billy, was a blue baby so I wanted to learn more about the history of advances in treatment. Now I know much more about why he wasn’t able to get enough oxygen and about the people who pushed for solutions against this problem. The author, Jim Murphy told their story with the facts that we need to know and made it all very interesting. There are lots of wonderful black and white illustrations that carry you back to the times and very informative footnotes in the back of this book.
I highly recommend this book and hope to read more written by Jim Murphy.
I received this Advanced Reading Copy by making a selection from Amazon Vine books but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review. I also posted this review only on sites meant for reading not for selling.
Show Less
Awards
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (Nonfiction — 2015)
CCBC Choices (2016)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Kids (Informational Books for Older Readers — 2015)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2015
Physical description
144 p.; 7 inches
ISBN
0547821832 / 9780547821832