A review by jennybeastie
Daisy and the Deadly Flu: A 1918 Influenza Survival Story by Julie Gilbert

3.0

A highly topical book for the Girls' Survive series. It's so topical, in fact, that it's anxiety-producing to read, and it's quite disappointing that the afterword does not reflect the current crisis at all. While the research level in this book is high, the writing lets it down somewhat -- there are so many inexplicable bits and pieces -- why does Daisy feel responsible for her mother's death? Why does Bertha treat her so badly? Why does Daisy ignore all of the advice to isolate in order to avoid infection? Her careless behavior doesn't make a difference one way or the other, anyway, but it enhances the feeling of powerlessness. I think the author has potential, and there's good stuff in here, too, but this particular book is lacking something. Also, I continue to dislike this illustrator. Maybe I'm just having an off day.