About this item

Groundbreaking narrative nonfiction for teens that tells the story of the AIDS crisis in America.Thirty-five years ago, it was a modern-day, mysterious plague. Its earliest victims were mostly gay men, some of the most marginalized people in the country; at its peak in America, it killed tens of thousands of people. The losses were staggering, the science frightening, and the government's inaction unforgivable. The AIDS Crisis fundamentally changed the fabric of the United States.Viral presents the history of the AIDS crisis through the lens of the brave victims and activists who demanded action and literally fought for their lives. This compassionate but unflinching text explores everything from the disease's origins and how it spread to the activism it inspired and how the world confronts HIV and AIDS today.



About the Author

Ann Bausum

Ann Bausum writes about history for readers of all ages from her home in southern Wisconsin. Her works often focus on under-told stories from the past, and she frequently explores issues of social justice. Her newest title, The March Against Fear (National Geographic: 2017) , is her third work to examine the civil rights movement in the American South. In the case of these and other books, Bausum strives to bring the nation's social justice history to life in ways that empower and inspire readers young and old alike. Her previous title, Stonewall (Viking: 2015) , is among the first nonfiction books to introduce teens to gay rights history. Previous works have explored voting rights, immigration, and free speech, among other topics. The almost-forgotten story of Stubby lured Bausum away from social justice history temporarily. She wrote twin titles about the stray dog smuggled to Europe during World War I who returned to a hero's welcome. Both books were published in 2014 by National Geographic: Sergeant Stubby (for adult readers) and Stubby the War Dog (for children) .In the spring of 2017, the Children's Book Guild of Washington, D.C., will honor the body of Bausum's work by presenting her with its venerable Nonfiction Award. This award recognizes the consistent commendation earned by her individual titles through the years. Bausum's books have appeared consistently on lists of recommended and notable titles and have earned numerous literary awards including a Sibert Honor Award, the Jane Addams Children's Book Award, the Carter G. Woodson Award (on two occasions) , and the SCBWI Golden Kite Award. In 2015, she was named the year's Notable Wisconsin Children's Author by the Wisconsin Library Association.You may follow Bausum on Facebook and Twitter or visit her online at www.AnnBausum.com.



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