Really, how does Jarrow continue to bring the most fascinating details about history (and science) together for a youth audience but that everyone else can eat up deliciously like a meal? I'm biased I know as I've adored every book she's written, but this again, goes to show her research, curiosity, and writing, but primarily her research.

I watched a short webinar with her and her editor the other day that sped up my wanting to read the rest in one sitting. And the fact that one of the presidents featured is Biden after the spectacular blowup on national television with the debate made her hold on to the manuscript to be able to write a chapter after his presidential coverup. Yowzers. But it's absolutely on par with the other chapters of presidents who covered up or the people around them (and they themselves) who covered up illnesses or issues.

This is spectacularly laid out and organized with photos and stories to drive the point home that there were lies and cover-ups amid the speculation for many reasons. Jarrow also includes the questions, clauses, and amendments that eventually made their way into policy and practice regarding the capacity of a president to serve and who after that.

Jarrow is a masterclass in teen nonfiction. I am happy to have read an early version of it and sad that I won't be able to talk to too many people until it's released but that also means I'll have multiple copies on order!

A president's health can affect their ability to serve, because their decisions could put countless lives in danger. In this middle-grade book, the focus is on the medical lies and cover-ups that White House physicians, staff, and spouses hide from the public to protect the President. In this book, nine Presidents are identified. They are James Garfield, Chester Arthur, Grover Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, FDR, JFK, Ronald Reagan, and Joe Biden. This book raises several questions that are still relevant today.
1. Should the President's privacy supersede that of the public's right to know?
2. Should Presidents take cognitive tests? (Trump boasts about this, and Biden denied needing one.)
3. Should there be age limits for running for office?
4. What health conditions should be disqualifying?
5. Should there be an annual physical requirement like the ones they have for our military?
6. Should the physician not be a personal doctor but one who is non-partisan/independent?
7. Should we have access to the medical records, such as what medication they are taking?
Throughout the book, these questions are raised.

Using historical research and personal quotes, he goes behind the scenes to what was hidden from the public during each of the featured presidencies. A lot of the ailments would have been cured with modern medicine, others, such as gunshot wounds to the head, would still be fatal. Presented in an easy-to-understand format, this is an excellent addition to a school library. Pictures are scattered throughout, and the chapters are concise, which will keep younger readers' attention.

This was an interesting and informative walk through American history with specific focus on illnesses and untimely deaths in the presidency. The details about pus, bullets, and infections described in great detail are sure to capture the attention of young readers.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Really interesting read about a handful of our presidents and the efforts taken to shield the public from their health concerns. Gail Jarrow does a great job of balancing heavy content in a way that is accessible to students (and adults!). She handles the accounts as unbiased as possible, backs her accounts with both primary and secondary sources, and acknowledges why she doesn’t include other presidents when there’s not enough sufficient evidence to do more than speculate. I’ve found that Jarrow’s books are well-researched, interesting and entertaining, and seek to be balanced and fair. I do wish she’d included a bit of info about Alexander Graham Bell’s attempts to save President Garfield- students would be familiar with Bell and would likely find that tidbit interesting (at least I thought it was!). Well done, and I’m looking forward to her next work!

White House Secrets: Medical Lies and Cover Ups is a fascinating book that details the presidential medical cover ups through the years. From Grover Cleveland's cancer surgery aboard a boat to Ronald Reagan's assassination attempt, Gail Jarrow informs readers on times the White House was not forthcoming on the status of the president's health.

I felt like Jarrow did a great job at deciding which presidents to feature in this book. A few i was aware of previously, such as James Garfield's death due to a lack of cleanliness of his doctors after being shot. But others it was my first time hearing about.

I do think overall the author did remain mostly unbiased in their writing. Though I do feel like they were a little more harsh on Joe Biden, than what was warranted. But, to br fair, that thought process could be due to my own bias. I felt like it was a missed opportunity to reflect that while yes, he did have cognitive decline, Donald Trump did as well.

This is certainly an interesting topic and I learned some interesting things about the history of our presidents. Of course, I know that medicine in general is so much better now, but some of the problems were even personal, like depending on a family doctor who isn't really very good.
It's interesting that Jarrow doesn't cover the current president, who seems to have as many cognitive problems as Biden, which some attribute to age, but who also apparently downplayed his bout with Covid for political reasons. Maybe it's harder to see history when it's this close.

Thank you to Calkins Creek, and imprint of Astra Publishing House, and Netgalley for the digital arc.
Medical fiascoes series
In the newest volume in Jarrow's “Medical Fiascoes” series, the author delves into the medical histories of nine presidents who developed, or had preexisting medical conditions, while serving as president, and the lengths taken by their staffs to shield the president from scrutiny. Excellent back matter, and the chapters are arranged in a logical format---illustrations, photos, medical history, primary resources, and how the condition was concealed. Consequences of the illnesses were either they survived the presidency or died while president. For an older reader, I felt there were few new insights, but it is a excellent choice for middle schoolers interested in presidential and medical history.
Back matter includes source notes, bibliography, index, glossary, and timeline.
#WhiteHouseSecrets

This is an incredibly interesting and informative book for the middle school age child who is interested in history, politics and presidents, or both! As an adult, I learned a lot and really enjoyed it as well!