Guest Review: The Apothecary by Maile Meloy
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| The ApothecaryBy: Maile Meloy Published by: Putnam Juvenile ISBN: 9780399256271 Author’s Website: Format of Review Copy: Paperback Recommendable for people who enjoy: Middlegrade, fantasy, adventure type books. |
Synopsis (from Amazon):
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.
Summer’s Thoughts:
This book puts you in Janie Scott’s shoes. You go with her on a journey of a lifetime. She meets new people in a new school in a whole different country. She makes friends and enemies. She falls for a boy who her parents call ‘Figment.’ He always wants adventure. To have fun rather than be in school.
I really loved this book. It made me feel like I was there the whole time. A page turner. The ending threw me for a loop. It confused me. I couldn’t understand at first but it made sense after I re-read the last paragraph. I enjoyed reading this book for sure. It was definitely written differently than other books but in a good way of course.
For Parents and Students:
ATOS Book Level: 4.9
Interest Level: Middle Grades Plus (MG+ 6 and up)
AR Points: 11.0