Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fact-filled and funny comic outlines human biology.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
At the Human Body Theater, a skeleton serves as the master of ceremonies, guiding visitors on a trip through the 11 systems that make up the human body. Organs and processes act like people, with arms, legs, and facial expressions, but the knowledge they impart is sometimes serious business. Readers learn about why the brain dreams, how the body fights infection, and where poop comes from.
Is It Any Good?
Finding a way to make information about human biology accessible and enjoyable to middle-grade readers is a difficult challenge, but this graphic novel finds the right balance of fact and fiction. HUMAN BODY THEATER presents technical information about the respiratory, digestive, endocrine, and other systems but leavens it with witty asides and cute antics.
The combination of text and illustrations works to instruct with clarity and precision. Because the book is aimed at middle schoolers, there's talk of boogers, farts, and other bodily processes, but the grossness factor doesn't get out of hand.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why some subjects are well suited for comics and graphic novels. What are some of the topics that work best in that medium?
Why is it important to know how the systems in the human body work?
What small changes can you make that will have a big impact on your health?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Maris Wicks
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : STEM , School ( Middle School )
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : First Second
- Publication date : October 6, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 14
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate