Reading about medicine, watching documentaries, and listening to podcasts are some of the easiest ways to explore healthcare careers. Everything on this list is appropriate for middle school students and available for free or through your local library.
Books
Nonfiction
“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot: The true story of a woman whose cells were taken without her knowledge and became one of the most important tools in medicine. Raises important questions about ethics, race, and science. Available at any public library. Recommended for 8th grade and up.
“Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers” by Mary Roach: A surprisingly funny and respectful look at what happens to bodies donated to science. Shows a side of medicine most people never think about. Best for 8th graders who are comfortable with the topic.
“The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” by William Kamkwamba: While not about medicine directly, this true story of a teenager who used science to save his community demonstrates the problem-solving mindset that every good doctor needs. Accessible for all middle school grades.
“Hidden Figures” (Young Readers’ Edition) by Margot Lee Shetterly: The story of African American women mathematicians at NASA. Shows how STEM skills change the world and how barriers can be overcome. Adapted for younger readers.
“Patient Zero: Solving the Mysteries of Deadly Epidemics” by Marilee Peters: Written specifically for young readers, this book follows the detective work behind disease outbreaks. Excellent introduction to epidemiology.
Fiction
“The House of the Scorpion” by Nancy Farmer: A science fiction novel about cloning and medical ethics. Winner of the National Book Award. Engages with real bioethical questions in an accessible story.
“Code Blue” by Richard L. Mabry, MD: A medical thriller written by an actual physician. Gives a sense of the drama and stakes in healthcare. Appropriate for older middle schoolers.
Documentaries and shows
“Lenox Hill” (Netflix): Follows four doctors at a New York City hospital. Real patients, real surgeries, real decisions. One of the most honest portrayals of what being a doctor is actually like. Appropriate for all ages, though some medical scenes are intense.
“Human Body: Pushing the Limits” (Discovery): A four-part series on how the body works under extreme conditions. Excellent visuals and accessible explanations.
“Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak” (Netflix): Made before COVID-19, this series follows doctors and scientists trying to prevent the next pandemic. Shows the public health side of medicine.
“Cells at Work” (Netflix/Crunchyroll): An animated series (anime) where blood cells are characters navigating the human body. Surprisingly accurate biology wrapped in entertaining stories. Great for visual learners.
YouTube channels
SciShow: Short, engaging science videos covering biology, chemistry, and medicine topics. Free. New episodes multiple times per week.
Kurzgesagt (In a Nutshell): Beautiful animated videos explaining complex science topics including immune system function, viruses, and the human body.
Crash Course Biology: A full biology course in video form. Hosted by Hank Green. Excellent supplement to your school science class.
TED-Ed: Short animated lessons on everything from how vaccines work to why we dream. Each video is 5-10 minutes and designed for students.
Podcasts
“Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine”: A doctor and her husband explore the weird history of medicine. Funny and educational. Episodes are about 30 minutes.
“Brains On”: A science podcast for kids and curious adults. Covers topics like “How do broken bones heal?” and “What happens when you get a vaccine?”
“Short Wave” (NPR): Short episodes (10-15 minutes) on the latest science and health discoveries. Accessible and well-produced.