The Great Trouble

A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel

By Deborah Hopkinson | Publisher: Random House Children's Books

About the book

The suspenseful tale of two courageous kids and one inquisitive scientist who teamed up to stop an epidemic.

“A delightful combination of race-against-the-clock medical mystery and outwit-the-bad-guys adventure.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred
 
Eel has troubles of his own: As an orphan and a “mudlark,” he spends his days in the filthy River Thames, searching for bits of things to sell. He’s being hunted by Fisheye Bill Tyler, and a nastier man never walked the streets of London. And he’s got a secret that costs him four precious shillings a week to keep safe. But even for Eel, things aren’t so bad until that fateful August day in 1854—the day the deadly cholera epidemic (“blue death”) comes to Broad Street.
 
Everyone believes that cholera is spread through poisonous air. But one man, Dr. John Snow, has a different theory. As the epidemic surges, it’s up to Eel and his best friend, Florrie, to gather evidence to prove Dr. Snow’s theory—before the entire neighborhood is wiped out.
 
“Hopkinson illuminates a pivotal chapter in the history of public health. . . . Accessible . . . and entertaining.” —School Library Journal, Starred
 
“For [readers] who love suspense, drama, and mystery.” —TIME for Kids

Editions of The Great Trouble

Hardcover
ISBN 9780375848186
Paperback
ISBN 9780375843082
AltFormat
ISBN 9780375948183
EBook
ISBN 9780449818190
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780804123624
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780804123600
AudioDisc
ISBN 9780804123617
AudioDisc
ISBN 9780804123594

Read an Excerpt

The suspenseful tale of two courageous kids and one inquisitive scientist who teamed up to stop an epidemic.

“A delightful combination of race-against-the-clock medical mystery and outwit-the-bad-guys adventure.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred
 
Eel has troubles of his own: As an orphan and a “mudlark,” he spends his days in the filthy River Thames, searching for bits of things to sell. He’s being hunted by Fisheye Bill Tyler, and a nastier man never walked the streets of London. And he’s got a secret that costs him four precious shillings a week to keep safe. But even for Eel, things aren’t so bad until that fateful August day in 1854—the day the deadly cholera epidemic (“blue death”) comes to Broad Street.
 
Everyone believes that cholera is spread through poisonous air. But one man, Dr. John Snow, has a different theory. As the epidemic surges, it’s up to Eel and his best friend, Florrie, to gather evidence to prove Dr. Snow’s theory—before the entire neighborhood is wiped out.
 
“Hopkinson illuminates a pivotal chapter in the history of public health. . . . Accessible . . . and entertaining.” —School Library Journal, Starred
 
“For [readers] who love suspense, drama, and mystery.” —TIME for Kids

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Great Trouble about?

The suspenseful tale of two courageous kids and one inquisitive scientist who teamed up to stop an epidemic.

“A delightful combination of race-against-the-clock medical mystery and outwit-the-bad-guys adventure.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred
 
Eel has troubles of his own: As an orphan and a “mudlark,” he spends his days in the filthy River Thames, searching for bits of things to sell. He’s being hunted by Fisheye Bill Tyler, and a nastier man never walked the streets of London. And he’s got a secret that costs him four precious shillings a week to keep safe. But even for Eel, things aren’t so bad until that fateful August day in 1854—the day the deadly cholera epidemic (“blue death”) comes to Broad Street.
 
Everyone believes that cholera is spread through poisonous air. But one man, Dr. John Snow, has a different theory. As the epidemic surges, it’s up to Eel and his best friend, Florrie, to gather evidence to prove Dr. Snow’s theory—before the entire neighborhood is wiped out.
 
“Hopkinson illuminates a pivotal chapter in the history of public health. . . . Accessible . . . and entertaining.” —School Library Journal, Starred
 
“For [readers] who love suspense, drama, and mystery.” —TIME for Kids

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Great Trouble?

Children’s, Teenage and Educational > Children’s / Teenage fiction and true stories > Children’s / Teenage fiction: Historical fiction

Where can I read a sample of The Great Trouble?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780375848186

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Great Trouble?

Deborah Hopkinson

Who is the Publisher of the book The Great Trouble?

Random House Children's Books

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Great Trouble is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780375848186) and paperback(ISBN 9780375843082) and altformat(ISBN 9780375948183) and ebook(ISBN 9780449818190) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780804123624) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780804123600) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780804123617) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780804123594)

Where can I buy The Great Trouble online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy The Great Trouble from below

Where can I buy The Great Trouble?