It's 1952 and the Scott family has moved unexpectedly from Los Angeles to London. Janie feels uncomfortable in her strange new school, until the local apothecary promises her a remedy for homesickness. But the real cure is meeting the apothecary's son Benjamin, a curiously defiant boy who dreams of becoming a spy.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Summary
It's 1952 and the Scott family has moved unexpectedly from Los Angeles to London. Janie feels uncomfortable in her strange new school, until the local apothecary promises her a remedy for homesickness. But the real cure is meeting the apothecary's son Benjamin, a curiously defiant boy who dreams of becoming a spy.
Description
A mysterious apothecary. A magic book. A missing scientist. An impossible plan.It's 1952 and the Scott family has moved unexpectedly from Los Angeles to London. Janie feels uncomfortable in her strange new school, until the local apothecary promises her a remedy for homesickness. But the real cure is meeting the apothecary's son Benjamin, a curiously defiant boy who dreams of becoming a spy.Benjamin's father is no ordinary apothecary, and when he's kidnapped, Benjamin and Janie find themselves entrusted with his sacred book, the Pharmacopoeia. And it seems that Russian spies are intent on getting their hands on it.What secrets does the book contain? Who is the Chinese chemist Jin Lo? And can they trust a skinny pickpocket called Pip to help them?Discovering transformative elixirs they never imagined could exist, Janie and Benjamin embark on a dangerous quest to save the apothecary and prevent an impending nuclear disaster.The Apothecary sparkles with life and possibility. This is a story that will delight kids and return not-so-young readers to the magic of childhood.
Awards
Winner of The E.B. White Read Aloud Award 2012 (United States) Long-listed for CILIP Carnegie Medal 2013 (United States)
Critic Reviews
“'This cleverly plotted le Carre for kids adventure is driven by a memorable, quick-witted protagonist.'”
‘A rollicking read…it’s a marvellous book.’ Speaking Volumes, Radio NZ
‘In The Apothecary, Maile Meloy keeps raising the stakes for her main characters until it seems that victory is impossible….But it’s hard to keep these characters down, and their ingenuity and determination bring them out of the pages and make them real for the reader. This book is full of magic and sparkle, spies, evil and global intrigue…The Apothecary is an exciting, well-researched adventure that readers will find hard to put down, no matter what genre they favour.’ -- Kid Book Capers blog
‘Fighting science with magic, it is as if James Bond meets Harry Potter in this fast- paced thriller/fantasy where all is not what it seems…A fascinating glimpse into the history of the Cold War.’ Augusta Margaret River Mail
‘A fantasy adventure firmly rooted in the real world, it’s set in 1950s Cold War London, and will hugely appeal to readers aged 12 and up.' Readings Monthly
'This cleverly plotted “le Carre for kids” adventure is driven by a memorable, quick-witted protagonist.’ -- Fran Atkinson Saturday Age
About the Author
Maile Meloy (Author)Maile Meloy has written several adult novels and short story collections.Her stories have been featured in The New Yorker, The Paris Review and Granta. This is her first young adult novel. Visit Maile at Meloy (Author)Maile Meloy is the award-winning author of several short-story collections and novels for adults includingBoth Ways Is the Only Way I Want ItandLiars and Saints.The After-Roomis the third and final novel in the Apothecary series for young adults.
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