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Project Penicillin

The Race to Develop a Life-Saving Antibiotic

Illustrated by Weston Wei
Paperback
5.63"W x 8.31"H x 0.35"D   | 8 oz | 52 per carton
On sale Mar 24, 2026 | 96 Pages | 9798217134168
Age 9-12 years

Join the race against time to turn a 'miracle mold' into a life-saving cure in this action-packed STEM book for kids.

Enter the high-stakes world of the 1940s and relive the thrill of a medical breakthrough alongside Alexander Fleming and his team as they discover a way to save millions of lives. This is the story of penicillin, humanity’s greatest shield against infection - and the brilliant minds who made it happen.

Learn all about one of the greatest moments in the history of medicine in this exciting, fast-paced narrative, from the discovery of a ‘miracle mold’ in a messy lab to the life-and-death race against the clock of World War II.

Join the team of scientists and discover:
  • An exciting, action-packed narrative with historical accuracy that allows readers to deep-dive into how this life-saving antibiotic was developed.
  • Atmospheric illustrations that give a moody graphic novel vibe, perfect for keeping kids aged 9-12 engaged.
  • Accessible STEM learning through light-touch diagrams and microbiology explanations that reveal how the medicine was made possible.

The perfect STEM gift for young scientists, Project Penicillin is a must-have science adventure book that will inspire you to look at the microscopic world through the eyes of a scientist and discover your own path in STEM.

More in the series
Explore more of the greatest moments in science history, told as exciting adventure stories with DK Science Stories. Next, experience the historic Apollo 11 mission from Earth to the moon in Moon Landing.
Isabel Thomas is an award-winning science writer, presenter, and educator. She has degrees in Human Sciences from the University of Oxford and Educational Research from the University of Cambridge. Isabel has written a galaxy of books for young audiences, and is a double winner of the AAAS Prize for Excellence in Science Books. She also writes features for science magazines and the BBC, and delivers outreach projects for a wide range of organisations, inspiring children from diverse backgrounds to pursue science. You can find more about Isabel and her work at isabelthomas.co.uk.
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About

Join the race against time to turn a 'miracle mold' into a life-saving cure in this action-packed STEM book for kids.

Enter the high-stakes world of the 1940s and relive the thrill of a medical breakthrough alongside Alexander Fleming and his team as they discover a way to save millions of lives. This is the story of penicillin, humanity’s greatest shield against infection - and the brilliant minds who made it happen.

Learn all about one of the greatest moments in the history of medicine in this exciting, fast-paced narrative, from the discovery of a ‘miracle mold’ in a messy lab to the life-and-death race against the clock of World War II.

Join the team of scientists and discover:
  • An exciting, action-packed narrative with historical accuracy that allows readers to deep-dive into how this life-saving antibiotic was developed.
  • Atmospheric illustrations that give a moody graphic novel vibe, perfect for keeping kids aged 9-12 engaged.
  • Accessible STEM learning through light-touch diagrams and microbiology explanations that reveal how the medicine was made possible.

The perfect STEM gift for young scientists, Project Penicillin is a must-have science adventure book that will inspire you to look at the microscopic world through the eyes of a scientist and discover your own path in STEM.

More in the series
Explore more of the greatest moments in science history, told as exciting adventure stories with DK Science Stories. Next, experience the historic Apollo 11 mission from Earth to the moon in Moon Landing.

Creators

Isabel Thomas is an award-winning science writer, presenter, and educator. She has degrees in Human Sciences from the University of Oxford and Educational Research from the University of Cambridge. Isabel has written a galaxy of books for young audiences, and is a double winner of the AAAS Prize for Excellence in Science Books. She also writes features for science magazines and the BBC, and delivers outreach projects for a wide range of organisations, inspiring children from diverse backgrounds to pursue science. You can find more about Isabel and her work at isabelthomas.co.uk.

Photos

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