Poisoned Water

By Candy J Cooper, Marc Aronson

A city poisoned by its own water supply fights for survival and justice.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 540 ratings

304 pages

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Bookroo's summary

In 2014, Flint, Michigan, switched its water source to save money, unleashing a crisis. Residents faced rashes, stunted growth, and mysterious illnesses, while officials ignored their pleas. Journalist Candy J. Cooper uncovers the true story of Flint's battle against poisoned water, exploring the deep-rooted racism and neglect that fueled the disaster. As the community fights for clean water and justice, will their voices finally be heard?

From the publisher

Based on original reporting by a Pulitzer Prize finalist and an industry veteran, the first book for young adults about the Flint water crisisIn 2014, Flint, Michigan, was a cash-strapped city that had been built up, then abandoned by General Motors. As part of a plan to save money, government officials decided that Flint would temporarily switch its water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River. Within months, many residents broke out in rashes. Then it got worse: children stopped growing. Some people were hospitalized with mysterious illnesses; others died. Citizens of Flint protested that the water was dangerous. Despite what seemed so apparent from the murky, foul-smelling liquid pouring from the city’s faucets, officials refused to listen. They treated the people of Flint as the problem, not the water, which was actually poisoning thousands. Through interviews with residents and intensive research into legal records and news accounts, journalist Candy J. Cooper, assisted by writer-editor Marc Aronson, reveals the true story of Flint. Poisoned Water shows not just how the crisis unfolded in 2014, but also the history of racism and segregation that led up to it, the beliefs and attitudes that fueled it, and how the people of Flint fought-and are still fighting-for clean water and healthy lives.

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