A Mystery of London, the Blue Death and a Boy Called Eel
Written by Deborah Hopkinson
Eel is an orphan and a “Mudlark” living a hardscrabble existence in Victorian London. The year is 1854 and soon one of the worst epidemics in England’s history is about to break out. Deadly Cholera- the Blue Death- has come to Broad Street where Eel lives and works. In a few short days 616 people die a horrible death. Only one man, Dr. John Snow, believes that he knows the true source of this deadly disease, but will he be able to convince the local authorities before hundreds more die? This is a fascinating true account of what happened that summer in London so many years ago and how one man’s experiments and work changed the course of history and saved so many lives. I would recommend this book for 4th grade and up.
Review by Lynda H. Wilson, David Gourley Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Interest Level: 4th-8th Grade
The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the Blue Death and a Boy Called Eel
Written by Deborah Hopkinson
Alfred A. Knopf
249 pages
Release Date: September 10, 2013
Categories: Elem. – Fiction, Jr. High – Fiction
Tags: Historical Fiction, Cholera, Scientific Discoveries, Plagues and Pandemics
