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IMMORTALITY

Dana Schwartz

Hazel Sinnett is requested to be the personal physician of Princess Charlotte, the sickly granddaughter of King George III. (Ages 13 to 18)

Ages 15+Source checked

Why this age? The novel features mature themes, including graphic depictions of medical procedures, dissection, and resurrection work, along with themes of grief, death, and social injustice. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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At a glance

Recommended age15+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Graphic injury4/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Good role models4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Death is a central theme, with frequent discussions of mortality, deceased characters, and the morality of life extension.

Graphic injury4/5
Why this rating?

Frequent, detailed descriptions of anatomy, dissections, and medical procedures common to the era's medical schools.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Uses historical period-appropriate language; contains occasional mild profanity.

LGBTQIA characters1/5
Why this rating?

Includes brief mention of side characters with queer identities, though not a central focus.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Religion is mentioned in the context of the era's social norms and burial customs.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

A central romantic subplot develops between Hazel and Jack, involving intense emotional connection.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Resurrection, death-related mysteries, danger, and eerie supernatural situations can be frightening or tense.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Contains very mild references to romantic intimacy, consistent with a YA historical romance.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

References to alcohol consumption in a historical social context.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Includes descriptions of 19th-century medical procedures, grave robbing, and some physical altercations.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

The characters exhibit immense bravery in challenging institutions and facing dangerous situations.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

The novel blends historical reality with supernatural fiction in an inventive way.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Maintains a focus on historical social strata; includes some diversity in background and perspective.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

The historical setting and focus on early medical practice provide incidental learning about medicine, class, and social restrictions.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

The protagonists show significant empathy and care for one another and the marginalized.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Explores the value of life, the ethics of ambition, and the importance of challenging societal barriers.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Hazel serves as an ambitious, resilient role model for pursuing education despite obstacles.

Family discussion

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

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