October 2025 Reading Recap

Young Adult/Teen 12-18
October 2025 Reading Recap

October 2025 Reading Recap

Well, so far this reading recap thing is going…. well-ish?? I completely forgot to finish my post until now, but it still seems like a more manageable idea than the quarterly approach I was doing before.

I read a lot this month, helped along by the fact that I really enjoyed many of the books on this list. It is going to be SO HARD to narrow down my favorites of the year to ten books. There have been some great ones. This month, among my favorites are Busted by Dan Gemeinhart, We Fell Apart by E. Lockhart, and All the Way Around the Sun by XiXi Tian. Labyrinth of Souls by Leslie Vedder and Silenced Voices by Pablo Leon also blew me away.

Note: This post contains affiliate links that do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. Thanks for using them to do your shopping.

October 2025 Reading Status Update

The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: I heard about this book from another blogger, who loved it. This is a reimagining of Anne of Green Gables if Anne was a witch and was unwillingly adopted by another witch. I wasn’t sure I’d like this at the very beginning because of the Marilla character, but this clever story won me over. The main character is so Anne. I loved this.

Published February 12, 2023 | My Review to Come

Paul Weaver and the Soul Reaver by Sean McMurray

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My Thoughts: Each chapter of this one starts with an illustration that looks like a YouTube video thumbnail. The chapters are written like a video transcript. That format worked really well for this wacky paranormal story.

Published July 8, 2025 | My Review

Through Our Teeth by Pamela N. Harris

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My Thoughts: Harris’s debut was incredible, so I knew I had to read this one. It’s an intense, closed circle suspense story that kept me on edge. I love how she used Wuthering Heights in this book.

Published September 16, 2025 | My Review

Impossible Creatures (Impossible Creatures #1) by Katherine Rundell

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My Thoughts: Every time I saw this book at the bookstore, I wanted to read it. It’s got some sad moments, but I loved the imaginary world and all the fantastical creatures. Christopher is a great main character. I just bought the sequel, so I’m excited to see where the series goes.

Published September 10, 2024 | My Review to Come

Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: Kalynn Bayron plus a Frankenstein-inspired novel? YES, PLEASE! This contemporary fantasy had me hooked until the last page. The main character’s family runs a funeral home, which was such a cool setup for this kind of story.

Published September 30, 2025 | My Review

Busted by Dan Gemeinhart

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My Thoughts: I thought I couldn’t like another book by this author as much as Coyote Lost and Found, but I was wrong. This wild road trip book had me laughing and crying. I loved every minute of it.

Published October 7, 2025 | My Review

The Essential Christmas Classics by Charles Dickens, et al.

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My Thoughts: This is a boxed set containing three volumes: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, The Nutcracker by E. T. A. Hoffman, and Twelve Christmas Classics, a short story collection by various authors. The collection includes some familiar stories and stories by familiar authors. If you’re looking to start a collection of Christmas classics for readers 10 up, this is a good beginning.

Published October 7, 2025 | My Review

Exquisite Things by Abdi Nazemian

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: So many of the things I want to say about this one are spoilers, so I can’t say them! I did enjoy this one. It has scenes from several different timelines that all converge on a series of events. I like that it showcased life in multiple time periods and gave readers space to compare/contrast them.

Published September 23, 2025 | My Review

If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: This one blew me away. The story follows Jack the Ripper’s murders, but centers on a group of women who ultimately go head to head with him. I loved the setting and unforgettable characters.

Published September 16, 2025 | My Review

The Song of Orphan’s Garden by Nicole M. Hewitt

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My Thoughts: This fantasy novel in verse is such a sweet story. It’s amazing how much world building Hewitt does in so few words. It’s a perfect pick for music lovers.

Published January 21, 2025 | My Review

The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar by Sonora Reyes

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: This is the first novel by Reyes that I’ve read, but I will absolutely read more. Though I wouldn’t describe this as an easy read, I couldn’t help rooting for Cesar, even when we both knew he wasn’t making good choices. Such a moving story.

Published September 16, 2025 | My Review

The Unfinished (The Unfinished #1) by Cheryl Isaacs

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My Thoughts: Making an undisturbed body of water seem sinister isn’t easy, but Isaacs does it so well in this book. This story is perfectly unsettling. The tale continues in a sequel that I couldn’t wait to jump into.

Published September 3, 2024 | My Review to Come

All the Way Around the Sun by XiXi Tian

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My Thoughts: I’d loved another book by this author already, and I love this one, too. It’s an up-close exploration of complicated grief and the cost of avoiding vulnerability. So well done. I highly recommend this one.

Published September 30, 2025 | My Review

The Labyrinth of Souls by Leslie Vedder

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My Thoughts: The author of one of my favorite YA series has started a MG series! And its so worth reading. I loved the creative story world with all the fun creature names. The plot kept me guessing. And Ix is such a wonderful main character. I can’t wait to read the sequel.

Published February 11, 2025 | My Review to Come

The Others (The Unfinished #2) by Cheryl Isaacs

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My Thoughts: Yet again, Cheryl Isaacs makes something completely normal seem deeply unsettling. I think I liked this one even more than the first in the series.

Published September 16, 2025 | My Review

Grave Flowers by Autumn Krause

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My Thoughts: An intricate fantasy world with a mystery spanning generations. I’m not always into enemies to lovers stories, but this one won me over. I have thoughts about the way twins were used in the story.

Published September 2, 2025 | My Review to Come

The House on Rondo by Debra J. Stone

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My thoughts: Partly a historical account, partly a novel. The story of how a neighborhood torn down to make way for a highway impacts the community. A compelling story.

Published October 7, 2025 | My Review

The Leaving Room by Amber McBride

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My thoughts: Mysterious and evocative storytelling in verse. This was such a moving story.

Published October 14, 2025 | My Review

Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign by Sara F. Schacter

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My thoughts: Such a sweet story! I loved how Georgia uses science and creativity to navigate tricky social situations in her class at school. She doesn’t always get it right, but ultimately, she learns some great lessons.

Published October 14, 2025 | My Review

You’ve Found Oliver (You’ve Reached Sam #2) by Dustin Thao

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My thoughts: This companion to Thao’s popular debut follows Sam’s best friend as he navigates grief and new love. A tender romance exploring the philosophy of space and connection.

Published September 30, 2025 | My Review

The Crimson Throne by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis

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My thoughts: I read a series by these authors before and enjoyed it, so I knew I wanted to read this one. I really appreciate the way the story sets up this enemies-to-lovers romance. Lately, I’ve seen that trope done in some frustrating ways, so I love that I enjoyed this version. I also love alternate history novels, so I’m especially intrigued by those components. Can’t wait for book two!

Published October 7, 2025 | My Review

Hazelthorn by C. G. Drews

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My thoughts: I loved Don’t Let the Forest In, so I knew I wanted to read this book. It’s darker than Don’t Let the Forest In, but has this very “The Secret Garden but make it horror” vibe. Loved the characters. At first there were horror moments that seemed like too much, but they make so much sense once you reach the end.

Published October 28, 2025 | My Review

We Fell Apart: A We Were Liars Novel by E. Lockhart

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My thoughts: I’ve followed this series since the beginning, and I’ll admit that I went into this one uncertain if it would still grab me as much as the first book had. Uh, yeah! It really did. This book takes you on an unsettling emotional journey. It kept me off-balance, waiting for that shoe to drop, and when it did, I still felt stunned.

Published November 4, 2025 | My Review

Once for Yes by Allie Millington

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My thoughts: It’s not everyday that you see a book embrace a building as a sentient character and give it a voice. I loved the way the Odenburgh narrates scenes and finds ways to communicate with its tenants. Prue had my heart from her first page. I loved how she framed things through her “talk show.”

Published March 25, 2025 | My Review to Come

Silenced Voices by Pablo Leon

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I am only ever more convinced that my education didn’t include enough information about South and Central America. I didn’t even realize that this genocide happened. I love that this multi-generational book explores the history and its impact on families.

Published September 2, 2025 | My Review to Come

The Sleepless by Jen Williams

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My thoughts: What an immersive story world. I loved the characters and the tension between them. I will absolutely continue this series.

Published September 30, 2025 | My Review

Your October 2025 Reading Recap

Did you read anything in October that stands out? Do you track your reading? Leave a comment and let me know if you read anything on my list.

MMGM Review: The Beasts Beneath the Wind edited by Hanna Alkaf

Anthology or Collection, Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , ,
Version 1.0.0

The Beasts Beneath the Wind: Tales of Southeast Asia’s Mythical Creatures
edited by Hanna Alkaf
Harry N. Abrams
Published October 21, 2025

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About The Beasts Beneath the Wind

A sweeping and magical story collection showcasing the mythical creatures of Southeast Asia, including work by two-time Newbery medalist Erin Entrada Kelly and National Book Award finalist Shing Yin Khor

A turtle the size of an island. A cricket that can possess you if swallowed. A giant who turns enemies to stone. The legends of Southeast Asia—or “the lands below the winds,” as explorers used to call it—are populated with a whole menagerie of colorful beasts that inspire awe and fear in equal measure. Yet, passed on as they are through story and song, so many of these stories remain rooted in some long-forgotten past and bound by the borders of the region, creatures of myth and memory and nothing more. Until now.

Welcome to The Beasts Beneath the Winds, a collection of Southeast Asia’s most elusive cryptids by a team of bestselling and award-winning authors. Within these gorgeously illustrated pages, readers will find the stories of seventeen regular kids who encounter these mythical creatures in the here and now, and—fortunately or unfortunately—live to tell the tale.

My Review

I love how upbeat the tone of this whole collection is. Between each story, a two page spread that looks like pages from a journal introduces a cryptid. Illustrations show what the creature looks like while text describes where it lives, its temperament, and what it’s known for.

The stories often center around family relationships and connecting or reconnecting with the protagonist’s culture. Some stories are set in Southeast Asian countries while others happen in the United States. Sometimes the main character learns something unexpected about a friend or relative through their experience with the cryptid. At other times, the beast appears to impart wisdom or simply remind the protagonist that the world is a larger, more mysterious place than they realized.

I also love that this book introduces Southeast Asian mythology to readers in the context of short stories. This would be a perfect book to begin with for readers interested in folklore but who don’t generally reach for nonfiction. A list of further reading recommendations would have been amazing to add.

All in all, this is an entertaining collection that’s sure to engage readers.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Contains stories about mythological beasts from Southeast Asian folklore and myths. Reference to Muslim holidays and prayer practices.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. In one story, characters stop poachers. In another, a character intervenes to help a creature battling an evil being.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday

I’m sharing this post as a part of a weekly round-up of middle-grade posts called Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday. Check out other blogs with posts about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle.

Review: Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, Spirituality, , , , , ,

Two Tribes
Emily Bowen Cohen
Heartdrum
Published August 15, 2023

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About Two Tribes

In her poignant debut graphic novel inspired by her own life, Emily Bowen Cohen embraces the complexity, meaning, and deep love that comes from being part of two vibrant tribes. Mia is still getting used to living with her mom and stepfather, and to the new role their Jewish identity plays in their home. Feeling out of place at home and at her Jewish day school, Mia finds herself thinking more and more about her Muscogee father, who lives with his new family in Oklahoma. Her mother doesn’t want to talk about him, but Mia can’t help but feel like she’s missing a part of herself without him in her life.

Soon, Mia makes a plan to use the gifts from her bat mitzvah to take a bus to Oklahoma—without telling her mom—to visit her dad and find the connection to her Muscogee side she knows is just as important as her Jewish side. This graphic novel by Muscogee-Jewish writer and artist Emily Bowen Cohen is perfect for fans of American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. It is published by Heartdrum, an imprint that centers stories about contemporary Indigenous young people.

My Review

This is one of those books where I have to separate my feelings as a divorced parent from my thoughts about a kid reading this book. It was so easy to identify with Mia’s mom’s struggle with her relationship with her dad. Kids have a right to have relationship with both parents, but it can be really tricky to figure out how to do that safely. And to figure out the difference between safe for your kid and comfortable for you as the other parent. (Because there can be a huge difference.)

Mia’s mom definitely doesn’t do everything right (which she acknowledges). Her dad also has some mistakes to own up for. I liked how both parents are portrayed as imperfect and still learning. That’s pretty real, too.

Mia’s experiences also resonate as realistic. Her hunger to know both parts of her family history is palpable. As she’s able to fill in some of the gaps in her history and culture, she blossoms. It bolsters her confidence. I love that we can see the impact of both cultures on her life.

This book has been on my reading list for a while, but it wasn’t until I spotted it on the shelf at the library that I realized it was a graphic novel. I love seeing a story about Jewish and Muscogee heritage in graphic novel format. If you enjoy stories about family connections and culture, definitely pick this one up.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Mentions of Jewish holidays and traditions. Mia attends a powwow with her family. Mentions of Muscogee traditions and spiritual practices and beliefs. Mia’s cousin shares a Muscogee creation story with her. Mia studies Torah with the rabbi, learning about Jonah. Mia’s dad attends church.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I borrowed a copy of this book from my local public library. All opinions are my own.

Review: A Matter of Murder by Tirzah Price

Book Review and Content, Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , , ,

A Matter of Murder (A Lizzie & Darcy Mystery #2)
Tirzah Price
Storytide
Published November 11, 2025

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About A Matter of Murder

The thrilling conclusion to the Lizzie & Darcy Mysteries duology, following Lizzie Bennet and Mr. Darcy from the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries series!

A Bingley family curse looms over Lizzie’s sister and Darcy’s best friend—but are the dark forces at work supernatural or human?

Lizzie Bennet’s beloved sister Jane has just married Darcy’s best friend, Bingley, and the Bennet family and Darcy are paying the newlyweds a visit at Bingley’s family home, Netherfield Park. It doesn’t take long for their country retreat to turn into an investigation, though, when a long-dead body is discovered stuffed up the parlor chimney.

The locals are convinced that Netherfield is cursed, but Lizzie and Darcy know better than to believe in such nonsense and are determined to uncover the truth about what happened to the mysterious man in the chimney. But as they dig deeper into the history of Netherfield Park, they find that danger is waiting for them around every corner. Soon enough, they’re forced to consider if the curse might have some merit to it, or if there’s something—or someone—far more sinister behind their near brushes with death….

This duology closer is a daring and delightful conclusion to the chronicles of supersleuths Lizzie Bennet and Mr. Darcy!

My Review

More cozy mysteries featuring Jane Austen characters! Yet again, I find that this book arrived in my life at just the right moment. It was a joy to read this. The writing is smooth, so I flew through the pages. The characters are engaging, and the setting enjoyable.

If you’re a stickler for your historical fiction *sounding* like historical fiction… the writing here might feel too modern for you, especially if you are looking for something written more like the original work. But if you simply need more adventures with Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy at the helm, you definitely want to check out this series.

This is the second book in the “Lizzie and Darcy Murder Mysteries” duology, so if you’re new to this story universe, start with Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price, which is part of her “Jane Austen Murder Mysteries” series. (Sense and Second-degree Murder is still my favorite!) From there, you’ll want to pick up In Want of a Suspect, which is book one in the spin-off duology.

I especially love that the author offers Charlotte Lucas, who is a biracial woman in this reimagining of the story, an alternate, happier romance. I will always love the original story and respect Charlotte’s pragmatism, but I love that this story offers her the happiness she deserves.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity a few times. I love Georgiana Darcy’s response to this.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
References to attending Anglican church services. At one point, a character wonders whether another is. *gasp* a Catholic.

Violent Content
Mr. Darcy discovers a body (sort of a mummified skeleton) in the fireplace flue. He examines the clothes and personal items the murder victim carried as well as noting evidence of a head injury. (Later, characters briefly recount a recap of what happened to this person.) A heavy object falls from above, seriously injuring someone. Someone kidnaps a character and holds two people hostage in exchange for another’s cooperation. Someone fires a handgun at another person. References to someone being sentenced to hanging. (Not shown on scene.)

Drug Content
Adult characters drink alcohol occasionally. One character appears drunk at a funeral.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: These Bodies Ain’t Broken edited by Madeline Dyer

Anthology or Collection, Book Review and Content, Horror, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , ,

These Bodies Ain’t Broken
edited by Madeline Dyer
Page Street YA
Published October 7, 2025

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About These Bodies Ain’t Broken

A monstrous transformation within your own body.
A sacrificial imprisonment.
A fight to the death against an ancient evil.

These stories showcase disabled characters winning against all odds.

Outsmarting deadly video games, hunting the predatory monster in the woods, rooting out evil within their community, finding love and revenge with their newly turned vampire friend—this anthology upends expectations of the roles disabled people can play in horror. With visibly and invisibly disabled characters whose illnesses include Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, PTSD, and more, each entry also includes a short essay from the author about the conditions portrayed in their stories to further contextualize their characters’ perspectives. From breaking ancient curses to defying death itself, these 13 horror stories cast disabled characters as heroes we can all root for.

Contributors include bestselling and award-winning as well as emerging authors: Dana Mele, Lillie Lainoff, Soumi Roy, Anandi, Fin Leary, S.E. Anderson, K. Ancrum, Pintip Dunn, Lily Meade, Mo Netz, P.H. Low, and Carly Nugent.

My Review

I love the premise of this collection and how it’s set up. The anthology opens with a note from Madeline Dyer commenting on how horror often limits the presence of disabled characters to the villain roles. (For more on this, please read Amanda LeDuc’s incredible book, Disfigured: On Fairytales, Disability, and Making Space.) This collection gives its disabled characters protagonist roles. A brief essay by the author accompanies each short story, where the author will, if desired, offer information about their experiences that informed the writing in the short story. The essay offers some context about the disability represented in the work, too.

I really like how the disabilities represented in each story impact the protagonist’s experience. There’s no magical healing. There’s no special exception to the rules simply because plot. These protagonists must fight their way through literal horrors despite the limits of their bodies.

The stories span many places and range from long past to present-day settings. Some characters are in the midst of adjusting to or preparing to leave for college while others navigate grief, military capture, and long distance moves.

Because horror has so many layers and often requires buildup, I imagine it was challenging to write succinct, compelling tales. While a few had some meandering moments, most drew me immediately into the strangeness of the story and had me rooting for the main character to make it through.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Reference to romantic feelings. Kissing. Mentions of marriage and pressure to become pregnant. References to child marriage.

Spiritual Content
Reference to spiritual beliefs and practices, including sacrificial rituals. Reference to Catholic services and practices.

Violent Content
Some stories contain instances of ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and bullying. Some instances of body horror and gore. References to murder, imprisonment, and assault. One story has implied sexual assault, reference to child marriage, and emotional abuse. Some stories show self-harm, suicidal ideation, or mention of suicide. A couple stories include references to cannibalism, and one includes human sacrifice.

Drug Content
Characters drink alcohol in several stories.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Dead Ends!: Flukes, Flops & Failures That Sparked Medical Marvels by Lindsey Fitzharris and Adrian Teal

Book Review and Content, Middle Grade 8-12, Nonfiction, , , , ,

Dead Ends!: Flukes, Flops & Failures That Sparked Medical Marvels
Lindsey Fitzharris
Illustrated by Adrian Teal
Bloomsbury USA Children’s
Published October 14, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Dead Ends!: Flukes, Flops & Failures That Sparked Medical Marvels

From New York Times bestselling author Lindsey Fitzharris, a riveting middle grade nonfiction book about medicine’s most fascinating failures and dead ends.

Beheadings! Bloodletting! Bodysnatching!Journey down a snaking road bristling with medicine’s most astonishing “dead ends.” Marvel at the diagnoses, experiments, and treatments that were frequently useless, and often harmful, but that sometimes led doctors to discoveries that changed the world for the better.

Enjoy a whirlwind tour of the human body-from brain, to heart, to limbs-during which New York Times bestselling author Lindsey Fitzharris and caricaturist Adrian Teal will guide you through centuries of medical mistakes, festooned with riveting facts, pitch-perfect humor, and vivid illustrations. Celebrate the flukes, flops, and failures that have given science a better understanding of our bodies and ways to treat them.

This fascinating book of foul-ups is sure to delight young readers, and inspire them to embrace their failures, too!

My Review

Squeamish readers will probably find this book gives too much information about icky medical mishaps, but those with a stronger stomach will find these facts fascinating. The book is broken up into sections containing stories about a particular body part or system, such as heart, lungs, etc. Each section is filled with wild stories about experiments that went wrong or accidents that led to new discoveries that ultimately paved the way for breakthroughs.

Readers might be familiar with some of the medical blunders, such as the practice of bleeding a patient to balance their humors. Others will probably be totally unknown, like early experiments in organ transplants.

The writing is energetic and fun, making this an easy read. It’s easy to see the author’s passion for these topics, and her enthusiasm is contagious. Give this to readers interested in medical history or with a passion for weird and wacky nonfiction.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Reference to medical experimentation without consent, especially on remains of executed criminals. Very brief, graphic descriptions of medical procedures, experiments or accidents.

Drug Content
List.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.