What's a Germ, Joseph Lister?

Written by Lori Alexander

Narrated by Sam Devereaux

This engrossing and timely biography of the father of modern surgery reveals the shocking practices of surgeons before Joseph Lister proved where infections come from.

In 1841, a quiet, curious boy who stuttered when nervous committed to becoming a surgeon—a profession then more feared than respected.

Through study, persistence, and careful research, Joseph Lister proved that unsanitary conditions contribute to infections. Despite others scoffing at his ideas, Lister slowly changed the way all surgeons work, saving countless lives.

Sibert Honor winner Lori Alexander’s accessible and lively biography of Lister contains fun—and sometimes gory—facts about the history of science. 

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9780063335738

Lori Alexander

Lori Alexander’s many books for young readers include the picture book Backhoe Joe and the acclaimed biographies What’s a Germ, Joseph Lister?: The Medical Mystery That Forever Changed the Way We Heal and the Sibert Honor–winning All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World. She lives in Tucson, Arizona, with her husband, two book-loving kids, and two book-eating dogs. You can visit her at lorialexanderbooks.com.