Description

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A young readers adaptation of Steven Johnson's Extra Life, the story of how humans have doubled our lifespan in less than a century—and what to do with the extra life we now have.

Humans live longer now than they ever have in their more than three hundred thousand years of existence on earth. And most (if not all) of the advances that have permitted the human lifespan to double have happened in living memory.
 
Extra Life looks at vaccines, seat belts, pesticides, and more, and how each of our scientific advancements have prolonged human life. This book is a deep dive into the sciences--perfect for younger readers who enjoy modern history as well as scientific advances.

About the Author

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Steven Johnson is the bestselling author of thirteen books, including Where Good Ideas Come From, Farsighted, and The Ghost Map. He’s the host and cocreator of the Emmy–winning PBS/BBC series How We Got to Now, and the host of the podcast American Innovations. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, and Marin County, California, with his wife and three sons.

Praise For…

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"This book will lead students to consider what other medical, scientific, or social events are changing our life expectancy."--School Library Connection


". . . Johnson offers younger reading audiences a highlights reel of, mostly, scientific advances that have worked to reduce mortality rates—from variolation and vaccination to the controversial but famine-reducing effects of producing nitrates and chickens in industrial quantities. . . A refreshing change of pace for readers weary of hearing that things are just getting worse."--Kirkus


". . . a fascinating look at how science and certain politics have improved human life."--Booklist