The Picture of Health
Informative and Inspiring Books About Illness
These fiction and nonfiction titles explore disease, mental illness, and mortality. Browse our collection and take the pulse of these critical issues. Then, give your vocabulary skills a check-up by pairing your reading with our curated word lists.
Fever 1793Mattie Cook's simple life in Philadelphia is shattered when an epidemic of yellow fever rages through the city in the summer of 1793. Attempting to flee with her grandfather, Mattie finds that escaping disaster won't be so simple.
Five Feet ApartTwo teens with cystic fibrosis fall in love, although the disease prevents them from getting physically close to each other.
Brain on FireMy Month of MadnessIn this memoir, journalist Susannah Cahalan recounts her battle with a mysterious and terrifying neurological illness at the age of 24.
An American PlagueThe True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793Drawing on medical research, news articles, and firsthand accounts, Jim Murphy traces the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 in this gripping historical account.
The Hot ZoneThe Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola VirusIn this riveting nonfiction account, Richard Preston traces the emergence and spread of the deadly Ebola virus.
Turtles All the Way DownSixteen-year-old Aza investigates the disappearance of a local billionaire and navigates complicated relationships with her mom, best friend, and a new romantic interest, all while trying to manage obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The Fault in Our StarsTeenagers Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters form an intense bond when they meet in a cancer support group in Indiana.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta LacksThis biography immortalizes a woman whose cancerous cells contributed to medical breakthroughs around the world.
Girl, InterruptedIn this memoir, Susanna Kaysen details the two years she spent in a psychiatric hospital.
Challenger DeepThis powerful novel explores mental illness through the perspective of Caden Bosch, a teenager with schizophrenia.
The Honest TruthAfflicted with recurring cancer, Mark is determined to go on the adventure of a lifetime — so he runs away from home and attempts to climb Mount Rainier. As Mark confronts the challenges of the mountain, his best friend Jessie faces her own struggle: whether or not to reveal Mark's secret.
UglyBorn with a large tumor on his face, Hoge survived multiple surgeries — but faced bullying and cruelty because of his atypical appearance. In this memoir, Hoge recounts how he learned to embrace his differences.
WintergirlsAfter her best friend dies, Lia spirals deeper into her eating disorder and self-destructive behavior.
It's Kind of a Funny StoryIn this novel, a high school student details his time in a psychiatric institution.
Fast Food NationThe Dark Side Of The All-American MealIn this exposé, award-winning journalist Eric Schlosser explores the effects of the American fast food industry on global health, labor conditions, and the environment.
The Book of Unknown AmericansAfter Maribel Rivera sustains a debilitating injury, her family leaves a comfortable life in Mexico to seek treatment in the United States. Maribel develops a close relationship with her new neighbor Mayor, setting in motion a devastating chain of events.
Everything, EverythingDiagnosed with a rare immune disorder, Madeline is unable to experience the world outside her protective bubble. But when Olly moves in next door, she must decide whether to risk everything for love.
If I StaySeventeen year-old Mia has an out-of-body experience—and faces a heartbreaking choice—after a devastating car accident.
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