Tiny bacteria, viruses, and parasites have caused hundreds of millions of deaths. They have also spurred amazing advances in medicine and altered the course of history. Epidemics and pandemics of the past help scientists today. Learn the shudder-inducing details of how these diseases work, plus get the context of these diseases in culture and history. These high-interest topics hook readers and skillfully weave in history and science content that meets STEM curriculum and NGSS related to the application of science.