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White House Secrets

Medical Lies and Cover-Ups

Part of Medical Fiascoes

Author Gail Jarrow
Hardcover
$24.99 US
Astra Publishing House | Calkins Creek
8"W x 10"H
On sale Sep 23, 2025 | 288 Pages | 9781662681035
Grades 5-12
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Here are the shocking, yet true, stories of presidential medical cover-ups from the 19th to the 21st century—the latest thrilling title in award-winning author Gail Jarrow’s Medical Fiascoes series for readers ages 10 and up.

Did you know President Woodrow Wilson suffered a paralyzing stroke that his wife and doctors concealed for months? Or that Mrs. Wilson took total charge of his presidential duties? Neither did the American public. Did you know President John F. Kennedy suffered from Addison’s disease and was heavily medicated for years? Neither did most people. Too often when a president is sick or dying, he and the people around him have hidden his condition from the public, wanting to project an image of strength and power.

In this fascinating and provocative new installment in her acclaimed Medical Fiascoes series, author Gail Jarrow explores presidential cover-ups from the 19th to the 21st century—from James Garfield to Joe Biden. White House Secrets provides the historical context to help young readers understand issues of media literacy and presidential candor that are more relevant than ever in the 21st century.
Gail Jarrow is the author of nonfiction books and novels for readers ages 8–18. Her nonfiction books have earned the Sibert Honor, the Orbis Pictus Honor, the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction, YALSA Finalist, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book, Outstanding Science Trade Book, a NSTA Best STEM book, the Jefferson Cup Award, the Eureka! Gold Award, as well as Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, and School Library Journal Best Books and VOYA Honor Book distinctions. You can find her at gailjarrow.com. View titles by Gail Jarrow
"The latest from Jarrow, an acclaimed author of nonfiction for young readers, unveils medical issues that have affected sitting presidents through the centuries. This work, a strong choice for young readers and adults alike, raises the question: What’s the best way to balance presidents’ right to medical privacy with their responsibility to govern the nation?... Each subject’s interesting, easy-to-read story appears in a stand-alone chapter of approximately 20 pages... Reveals secrets and raises timely, ethical questions worthy of vigorous discussion and debate."—Kirkus Reviews

"Well researched and succinctly written, each chapter tells a different tale based on secrets kept by presidents and those who wanted to protect them. An intriguing topic explored in compelling true stories and illustrated with period photos." —Booklist

WHITE HOUSE SECRETS: Interview with Author Gail Jarrow

About

Here are the shocking, yet true, stories of presidential medical cover-ups from the 19th to the 21st century—the latest thrilling title in award-winning author Gail Jarrow’s Medical Fiascoes series for readers ages 10 and up.

Did you know President Woodrow Wilson suffered a paralyzing stroke that his wife and doctors concealed for months? Or that Mrs. Wilson took total charge of his presidential duties? Neither did the American public. Did you know President John F. Kennedy suffered from Addison’s disease and was heavily medicated for years? Neither did most people. Too often when a president is sick or dying, he and the people around him have hidden his condition from the public, wanting to project an image of strength and power.

In this fascinating and provocative new installment in her acclaimed Medical Fiascoes series, author Gail Jarrow explores presidential cover-ups from the 19th to the 21st century—from James Garfield to Joe Biden. White House Secrets provides the historical context to help young readers understand issues of media literacy and presidential candor that are more relevant than ever in the 21st century.

Author

Gail Jarrow is the author of nonfiction books and novels for readers ages 8–18. Her nonfiction books have earned the Sibert Honor, the Orbis Pictus Honor, the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction, YALSA Finalist, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book, Outstanding Science Trade Book, a NSTA Best STEM book, the Jefferson Cup Award, the Eureka! Gold Award, as well as Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, and School Library Journal Best Books and VOYA Honor Book distinctions. You can find her at gailjarrow.com. View titles by Gail Jarrow

Praise

"The latest from Jarrow, an acclaimed author of nonfiction for young readers, unveils medical issues that have affected sitting presidents through the centuries. This work, a strong choice for young readers and adults alike, raises the question: What’s the best way to balance presidents’ right to medical privacy with their responsibility to govern the nation?... Each subject’s interesting, easy-to-read story appears in a stand-alone chapter of approximately 20 pages... Reveals secrets and raises timely, ethical questions worthy of vigorous discussion and debate."—Kirkus Reviews

"Well researched and succinctly written, each chapter tells a different tale based on secrets kept by presidents and those who wanted to protect them. An intriguing topic explored in compelling true stories and illustrated with period photos." —Booklist

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WHITE HOUSE SECRETS: Interview with Author Gail Jarrow

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