In this historical novel about anatomist Allessandra Giliani, Alessandra dreams of investigating the inner workings of the human body and studying medicine in 14th-century Bologna. The problem, of course, is that Alessandra is a girl. In her first book for teens, adult author Quick (Vivaldi's Virgins
) highlights the many obstacles that stand between Alessandra and her dreams—parental desire to marry her well, disapproval of women studying, being cloistered to protect one's virtue, the physical danger of clandestinely entering the world of men. Quick is perhaps too thorough in establishing the many walls Alessandra faces, but once Alessandra contrives to study in Bologna, the story flows quickly. Alessandra's intellectual curiosity is wonderfully depicted, her philosophical musings are entertaining, and her commitment to the pursuit of biological knowledge enlivens the plot. Quick's prose is fluid and authentic, bright and engaging. At times, this novel is predictable (there is an evil stepmother, and Alessandra dresses as a boy in Bologna), but as Alessandra's reputation builds as one of the city's most gifted students, and she gets the guy, it is ultimately satisfying. Ages 12–up. (Apr.)
