Bugged: How Insects Changed History

The author of Poop Happened! takes another sidewise glance at history, this time via insects. Readers will get their share of gross-out moments as Albee pays attention to insect-borne diseases throughout time, such as malaria and the Black Death. Insights into the ways bugs live harmoniously with and even help humans%E2%80%94for example, maggots cleaning the dead tissue cells of solders' wounds during WWI%E2%80%94provide intriguing contrast. Leighton's cartoons of humans and bugs amp up the humor and temper some of the more serious topics; they're joined by historical photos and illustrations. The breadth of information Albee covers speaks to the way that tugging on a tiny thread of history can yield a vast, multifaceted narrative. Ages 8%E2%80%9312. Agent: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Apr.)