Henrietta Lacks
The Mother of Modern Medicine
Will be published approx. on 20. August 2026
Book
Hardback
80 pages
978-1-913175-27-6 (ISBN)
Description
The woman whose cells changed medicine forever.
In 1951, Henrietta Lacks, a young Black mother from Virginia, went to hospital with cervical cancer. During her treatment, doctors removed a small sample of her tumour without her knowledge. Those cells became the first human cells ever successfully grown outside the body. Named HeLa cells, they multiplied endlessly in laboratories and quickly became one of the most important tools in medical research. Scientists used them to develop the polio vaccine, study viruses, test new medicines and unlock vital discoveries about how human cells work.
This illustrated biography introduces young readers to the extraordinary story behind one of medicine's most important breakthroughs. It explores Henrietta's life, explains the science of cells and shows how HeLa cells transformed medical research around the world.
Discover the story of the woman behind modern medicine, and the scientific legacy that continues to save millions of lives today.
In 1951, Henrietta Lacks, a young Black mother from Virginia, went to hospital with cervical cancer. During her treatment, doctors removed a small sample of her tumour without her knowledge. Those cells became the first human cells ever successfully grown outside the body. Named HeLa cells, they multiplied endlessly in laboratories and quickly became one of the most important tools in medical research. Scientists used them to develop the polio vaccine, study viruses, test new medicines and unlock vital discoveries about how human cells work.
This illustrated biography introduces young readers to the extraordinary story behind one of medicine's most important breakthroughs. It explores Henrietta's life, explains the science of cells and shows how HeLa cells transformed medical research around the world.
Discover the story of the woman behind modern medicine, and the scientific legacy that continues to save millions of lives today.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 9 years
Illustrations
Illustrations, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 250 mm
Width: 250 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-913175-27-6 (9781913175276)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Dawne Allette is a Grenadian-born writer and the author of several children's picture books celebrated for their lyricism, humour and inspiration. She has lived in Britain and Iran and now lives in Baltimore, USA, where she teaches creative writing, runs literacy programmes for Baltimore Public Schools and writes for the Baltimore Times.