book

ANATOMY

Name: ANATOMY
Author: Dana Schwartz

Dana Schwartz

Hazel and Jack work together to solve a mystery in 19th-century Edinburgh. (Ages 13 to 18)

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? The novel combines mature medical and grave-robbing material, death and grief, historical prejudice, romantic tension, and some frightening supernatural content with substantial reading complexity. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

Death of a character4/5
Frightening scenes3/5
Graphic injury3/5

Strongest positives

Courage & resilience3/5
Creativity & curiosity3/5
Good role models3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5

Why this rating?

Death, illness, corpses, grief, and the consequences of mortality are central to the story; several deaths affect the characters.

Graphic injury3/5

Why this rating?

Anatomy lessons, corpses, dissection, wounds, and descriptions of bodies are recurring and more detailed than in most teen fiction.

Strong language2/5

Why this rating?

Occasional mild profanity appropriate to the historical setting.

Religious themes1/5

Why this rating?

Reflects the religious and moral climate of 19th-century Scotland.

Romance3/5

Why this rating?

Hazel and Jack's slow-burn relationship is an important subplot, with attraction, emotional intimacy, and kissing, but the medical and mystery storylines remain equally central.

Frightening scenes3/5

Why this rating?

Graveyards, dead bodies, disease, danger, and supernatural elements create sustained eerie tension without being horror-focused.

Sexual content & nudity1/5

Why this rating?

Contains minor romantic tension and non-sexual references to societal norms regarding courtship.

Alcohol or drugs2/5

Why this rating?

Characters occasionally consume alcohol in social settings.

Violence2/5

Why this rating?

Includes encounters with resurrection men, physical altercations, and the inherent violence of 19th-century surgery.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5

Why this rating?

Characters persist against sexism, poverty, illness, criminal danger, and social barriers in pursuit of meaningful goals.

Creativity & curiosity3/5

Why this rating?

It encourages curiosity about science and medicine and uses imaginative problem-solving to combine historical realism with supernatural mystery.

Diverse representation2/5

Why this rating?

The novel meaningfully explores gender and class inequality through its characters, but offers limited broader representation and a relatively narrow historical cast.

Educational value2/5

Why this rating?

The story offers substantial historical context about medicine, anatomy, class, gender restrictions, and early scientific practice.

Kindness & empathy2/5

Why this rating?

Friendship, loyalty, care for vulnerable people, and compassion amid illness and hardship are important, though the story also includes exploitation.

Positive messages3/5

Why this rating?

It emphasizes perseverance, access to education, ethical ambition, bodily autonomy, friendship, and challenging unfair social restrictions.

Good role models3/5

Why this rating?

The protagonist is determined, intellectually curious, and willing to challenge sexism, though some choices involve serious legal and ethical risks.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
Which choice in ANATOMY would you have made differently, and why?
Who changed the most in ANATOMY, and what caused that change?

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