White House Secrets: Medical Lies and Cover-Ups

Gr 7 Up–Jarrow is back with her fourth installment of the award-winning “Medical Fiasco” series. This time, she focuses on nine presidents who hid a medical crisis from the American public. Each president (from James A. Garfield to Joe Biden) gets his own chapter, which begins with a brief biographical sketch of the president, followed by an overview of their medical issues, and how (and why) those around him kept it a secret. Each chapter includes historical photographs and illustrations to add context to the events. The content is engaging and easy to follow, even when multiple figures are introduced. The epilogue encourages readers to consider the impact of an ailing president on the country and the role the media plays in the conversation, prompting young readers to think about media literacy. Extensive back matter gives curious readers more to explore.