One in a series of six books dealing with disasters, this book discusses infectious diseases and how they are spread. If many of the people in a specific area, such as a school, are sick with the same illness at the same time health officials call it an outbreak. But if the same illness spreads beyond the specific site, it becomes an epidemic. If it jumps state and then country boundaries, the disease is classified as a pandemic. Aids and the H1N1 virus that causes it are the most notable modern day pandemic diseases. But the book also gives a brief history of earlier pandemics, such as the bubonic plague and small pox. It is an interesting read no matter what your age, with lots of scary facts and then ways to fend off these diseases. Washing one's hands after having contact with other people—even if only by touching the same door handle—can reduce the risk of getting sick. People in areas of poor sanitation should boil their water before drinking it and eat only properly cooked food. The book gives a good overview of the symptoms of diseases including illustrations of where they attack the body and what they look like. It is written a breezy, welcoming style, which will encourage even reluctant readers to read it. Part of the "Disasters" series. Reviewer: Sarah Maury Swan