Back in 2021 the book June Almeida, Virus Detective!: The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus by Suzanne Slade and illustrator Elisa Paganelli was published. In 2026 I found a copy of it. I then read it. I liked it. And then I wrote a review about it.
The theme is simple: woman scientist discovered ways of counteracting viruses, learned to use machines in ways no one had before, and would decades before it would be needed on a global scale, tells us that there were still things we did not know about when it came to viruses and that SARS was not just a “bad cold.” It was the Cornea virus. It would then mutate into what we recently called Covid-19.
What was less simple is how Slade presents things. They start with Almeida as a child and work their way up, with highlights of important events, but do not necessarily touch on things we’re used to in a woman’s science biography. The issues women would face in the 1950s to 1970s must have been there, but they are not front and center. We do get a timeline at the end, but the main points are explored in the story/text itself. There is a lot of scientific jargon and background information. Things are accessible for most ages, but they are not set up for the younger or more active, doesn’t sit for a long story listener. It would be good up to around 8 or 9 years old, but the picture book format might turn them off. Also, the realistic but cartoonish illustrations could be turn offs as well. They are fun, colorful, expressive and not too pushy, but they can feel younger at times.
The overall results are delightfully entertaining. This is a story that is worth taking your time over, and best for classroom settings.
