The Smallpox Files

Marnie’s teacher has a unique assignment for the class: learn all they can about a disease that has been eradicated, smallpox! Marnie teams up with her friend SJ and her trusty AI sidekick Glitch to gather the information. What was smallpox and how did it spread? How did scientists use inquiry and the tools of science to solve the mystery of smallpox? Finally, Maisie and her classmates learn how scientists were able to wipe out the disease, and how we’re protected from smallpox today.

Marnie’s Medical Mysteries was developed in collaboration with Nipunie Rajapakse, M.D., pediatric infectious diseases physician at the Mayo Clinic Children’s Center.

Mayo Clinic Press Kids creates empowering health and wellness content in partnership with pediatric experts. Proceeds from the sale of every book go to benefit important medical research and education at Mayo Clinic.

Author Biography

Ruth Redford is a freelance editor and author based in the United Kingdom. She loves writing and researching non-fiction projects and is the author ofPeriod: The Quick Guide to Every Uterus.

Jake Hill grew up in North London, but escaped to the South coast to study illustration and decided to stay by the sea, swimming (almost) every morning. Aside from his love of drawing, Jake is an avid reader, a meticulous collector of comics, a terrible, but improving pianist and a passionate player of games.

Nipunie Rajapakse, M.D.,is aPediatric Infectious Diseases Physician at the Mayo Clinic Children’s Center. She completed a Master of Public Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and previously worked as a consultant with the World Health Organization.