Books in Del Rey Discovery series

Worldwide, infectious diseases are the second leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability. Produced by microscopic organisms that enter a person’s body, infectious diseases can create symptoms ranging from mild digestive problems to deadly bleeding and high fevers. You probably have heard of the top three killers: tuberculosis (TB), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and malaria. But newer viruses have made headlines in recent years, including Ebola, Marburg, West Nile, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Scientists have yet to devise a cure for some. So what causes new and re-emerging infectious diseases? How should you protect yourself? Discover the intriguing story behind these invisible invaders.

In 2003 archaeologists in a cave on Flores Island in Indonesia made a fascinating discovery. They uncovered an extremely small human-like skeleton. Research showed the skeleton wasn't that of a child. It was a grown woman who live 12,000 years ago. Was this woman a very small human or a newly discovered ancestor of us all? The discovery of these little people amazed scientist all over the world - but caused bitter controversy among the researchers involved. This book takes readers into this fascinating discovery and ongoing scientific debate about what it means.