One of the best ways to explore medicine and science outside of school is through books, documentaries, podcasts, and online videos. The resources on this page are selected specifically for middle school students: they are age-appropriate, accurate, and either free or available at your local library. Reading about medicine and science does not just teach you facts. It shows you what the world of healthcare looks like from the inside, introduces you to people who have dedicated their lives to helping others, and sparks the kind of curiosity that can grow into a career.
Books About Medicine and the Human Body
“The Way We Work” by David Macaulay: A beautifully illustrated guide to how the human body functions, from cells to organ systems. Macaulay uses clear illustrations and simple explanations to make complex biology accessible and fascinating. Available at most libraries and bookstores.
“Hidden Figures: Young Readers’ Edition” by Margot Lee Shetterly: The story of the Black women mathematicians at NASA whose calculations made space flight possible. While not directly about medicine, this book demonstrates how STEM skills change the world and how people from underrepresented backgrounds can make extraordinary contributions to science. It is inspiring, well-written, and an excellent introduction to the importance of STEM diversity.
“Outbreak: 50 Tales of Epidemics That Terrorized the World” by Beth Zimmerman and Susan Shelly: A collection of short, engaging stories about disease outbreaks throughout history, from the bubonic plague to Ebola. Each story explains the science behind the disease, how it spread, and how public health workers and physicians responded. This book connects history, science, and medicine in a way that makes epidemiology (the study of how diseases spread) accessible to younger readers.
“I Am Malala: Young Readers’ Edition” by Malala Yousafzai: The story of a girl who was shot by the Taliban for advocating for girls’ education and who recovered to become a global advocate for education rights. The medical aspects of her story (the surgical team that saved her life, the rehabilitation process) are woven into a powerful narrative about courage, education, and the right to learn. Relevant to students interested in global health and the intersection of healthcare and social justice.
“Guinea Pig Scientists” by Leslie Dendy and Mel Boring: True stories of scientists who experimented on themselves to advance medical knowledge, from the physician who swallowed bacteria to prove that stomach ulcers were caused by infection (and won the Nobel Prize) to the researcher who tested a yellow fever vaccine on himself. These stories bring the history of medical discovery to life and show that science requires both curiosity and courage.
Documentaries and Video Series
Khan Academy® Health and Medicine (Free): Khan Academy® offers an entire section on health and medicine with short video lessons covering topics from the circulatory system to infectious disease to mental health. The videos are clear, accurate, and designed for self-paced learning. You can watch them on any device with internet access. See our Khan Academy® guide for tips on using this resource effectively.
“The Body” Series (Various Platforms): Several streaming platforms offer documentary series about the human body that use advanced imaging, animation, and real medical footage to show how your organs, muscles, nerves, and immune system work. Look for series that are rated for general audiences and that explain the science clearly without being overly graphic.
YouTube Educational Channels: Channels like SciShow, CrashCourse (Biology and Anatomy and Physiology series), and Kurzgesagt produce high-quality, animated science videos that explain complex topics in 5 to 15 minutes. These channels are free, well-researched, and engaging. CrashCourse’s Anatomy and Physiology series is particularly relevant for students interested in medicine. See our YouTube channels page for a curated list.
Podcasts
“Brains On” (Free): A science podcast co-hosted by kids and scientists that covers a wide range of topics, including the human body, diseases, and how medical treatments work. Episodes are 20 to 30 minutes and are designed for ages 8 to 14. Available on all major podcast platforms.
“Tumble” (Free): A science podcast for kids that features interviews with real scientists about their research. Episodes cover topics from genetics to neuroscience to environmental health. The hosts ask the kind of questions a curious middle school student would ask, and the scientists answer in language that is clear and accessible.
“Radiolab” (Free, Some Episodes): While designed for adults, many Radiolab episodes cover science and medicine topics in a storytelling format that older middle school students (7th and 8th graders) can follow and enjoy. Episodes about genetics, the brain, disease, and medical ethics are particularly relevant. Preview episodes to check that the content is age-appropriate.
Websites and Online Resources
National Institutes of Health (NIH) for Kids: The NIH maintains educational pages with interactive content about the human body, diseases, and health careers. These resources are free, reliable, and designed for younger audiences. https://www.nih.gov/.
CDC Health Topics A-Z: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a directory of health topics with clear, accessible information about diseases, prevention, and public health. Useful for research projects and for understanding the science behind the health news you see. https://www.cdc.gov/.
Your Local Library: Your library is a free resource that gives you access to books, ebooks, audiobooks, documentaries, and databases without any cost. Many libraries also offer science programs, reading clubs, and events. If you do not have a library card, getting one is free and takes about five minutes. Ask a librarian for recommendations on science and medicine books for your reading level. Librarians are experts at matching readers with the right books, and they love when students ask for help.
For hands-on activities beyond reading, see STEM Programs and Camps and Health Science Clubs.
More Book Recommendations: “Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers” by Mary Roach (for older middle schoolers): A fascinating and sometimes funny exploration of what happens to human bodies after death and how they contribute to medical science, forensics, and crash-test research. Best for 8th graders who are comfortable with mature scientific content. “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Young Readers’ Edition” by William Kamkwamba: The true story of a Malawian teenager who built a windmill from scraps to bring electricity and water to his village. Demonstrates the power of scientific thinking and resourcefulness, relevant to students interested in global health and engineering. “Patient Zero: Solving the Mysteries of Deadly Epidemics” by Marilee Peters: An engaging exploration of how scientists tracked down the causes of major disease outbreaks, from typhoid to SARS. Connects detective work with medical science in a way that middle schoolers find compelling.
How to Build a Reading Habit: Reading regularly builds vocabulary, improves comprehension, develops critical thinking skills, and expands your understanding of the world, all of which benefit you in science, in healthcare, and in life. If you are not already a regular reader, start small: commit to 15 to 20 minutes of reading per day. Choose books that genuinely interest you rather than books someone told you to read. Use audiobooks if you prefer listening (the cognitive benefits are similar). Visit your library regularly and ask librarians for recommendations. Track what you read in a simple journal or app. Over time, 15 minutes a day adds up to dozens of books per year, each one expanding your knowledge and perspective.
Critical Thinking About Media: Not everything you read, watch, or listen to about science and medicine is accurate. Social media, in particular, is full of health misinformation: false claims about vaccines, unproven miracle cures, exaggerated health scares, and pseudoscience that looks convincing but is not supported by evidence. As a future healthcare professional, developing the habit of evaluating sources critically is one of the most important skills you can build. When you encounter a health claim, ask: Who is making this claim? What evidence do they provide? Is the source a recognized scientific or medical organization (like the CDC, NIH, WHO, or a university) or a random person on the internet? Does the claim sound too good to be true? Science is based on evidence, not on feelings, and learning to distinguish reliable information from unreliable information is a skill you will use every day in healthcare.
References
Khan Academy. “Health and Medicine.” Khan Academy, 2025. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/health-and-medicine. Accessed March 2026.
National Institutes of Health (NIH). “NIH for Kids.” NIH, 2025. https://www.nih.gov/. Accessed March 2026.