It's 1952 and the Scott family has just moved from Los Angeles to London. Here, fourteen-year-old Janie meets a mysterious apothecary and his son, Benjamin Burrows - a fascinating boy who's not afraid to stand up to authority and dreams of becoming a spy. When Benjamin's father is kidnapped, Janie and Benjamin must uncover the secrets of the apothecary's sacred book, the Pharmacopoeia, in order to find him, all while keeping it out of the hands of their enemies - Russian spies in possession of nuclear weapons. Discovering and testing potions they never believed could exist, Janie and Benjamin embark on a dangerous race to save the apothecary and prevent impending disaster.
Together with Ian Schoenherr's breathtaking illustrations, this is a truly stunning package from cover to cover. Contains a teaser chapter of the sequel,
The Apprentices.
On sale: February 12, 2013
Age: 10 and up
Grade: Grade 5 & Up
Page count: 384 Pages
ISBN: 9780142422069
Reading level: Lexile: 740L | Fountas/Pinnell: W
Maile Meloy is the award-winning author of
The Apothecary and
The Apprentices as well as the adult short story collections
Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It and
Half in Love, and the novels
Liars and Saints and
A Family Daughter. You can visit Maile at www.mailemeloy.com.
"[The blend of history, culture, and the anxiety of the time with magical 'science' will keep readers just as spellbound as the characters." —
Kirkus reviews* "[Readers] will be quickly swept up in this thoroughly enjoyable adventure, filled with magic, humor, memorable characters, and just a bit of sweet romance." —
Publishers Weekly, starred review"Satisfies on all levels." —
The New York Times"Pitch-perfect." —
The Los Angeles Times"Meloy offers a strong narrator in Janie and an intriguing mix of history and mystery." —
Booklist
