The Apothecary - Hardcover

Meloy, Maile

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 039925627X ISBN 13: 9780399256271

Publisher: Putnam Pub Group, 2011

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review:

Praise for Maile Meloy's enchanting E. B. White Award-winning novel, "THE APOTHECARY: " "Inventive, smart and fun, an absolute delight."--Rebecca Stead, Newbery Award-winning author of "When You Reach Me" STARRED REVIEW from "PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: " "[A] thoroughly enjoyable adventure, filled with magic, humor, memorable characters, and just a bit of sweet romance. With evocative, confident prose and equally atmospheric spot art from Schoenherr, adult author Meloy's first book for young readers is an auspicious one."
From "THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW: " "[Meloy] brings to her first book for young readers the same emotional resonance that has won acclaim for her adult fiction, grounding her story in the intricacies of family love, friendship and loyalty blended here with the complicated fluctuations of adolescence."
From "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: " "Maile Meloy's sly commingling of the real and the imaginary make this a witty and entertaining Cold War romp--with a touch of age-appropriate romance." From "USA"" TODAY" "The title of Maile Meloy's smartly written, page-turning adventure/fantasy refers to a magical druggist in London in 1952. . . . It's for curious readers who, like Meloy's characters, can make room in their imaginations and 'allow for the possibilities.'"

Praise for Maile Meloy's "THE APOTHECARY"
A "New York Times" Bestseller
E.B. White Read-Aloud Book Award Winner
2011 "Publishers Weekly" Best Book of the Year
2011 "Wall Street Journal" Best of the Year
2011 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Reading List

"Inventive, smart and fun, an absolute delight."
--REBECCA STEAD, Newbery Award-winning author of "WHEN YOU REACH ME"

FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW: "
"[Meloy] brings to her first book for young readers the same emotional resonance that has won acclaim for her adult fiction, grounding her story in the intricacies of family love, friendship and loyalty blended here with the complicated fluctuations of adolescence."

FROM "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: "
"Maile Meloy's sly commingling of the real and the imaginary make this a witty and entertaining Cold War romp--with a touch of age-appropriate romance."

FROM "USA TODAY"
"The title of Maile Meloy's smartly written, page-turning adventure/fantasy refers to a magical druggist in London in 1952. . . . It's for curious readers who, like Meloy's characters, can make room in their imaginations and 'allow for the possibilities.'"

STARRED REVIEW FROM "PUBLISHERS WEEKLY"
"[A] thoroughly enjoyable adventure, filled with magic, humor, memorable characters, and just a bit of sweet romance. With evocative, confident prose and equally atmospheric spot art from Schoenherr, adult author Meloy's first book for young readers is an auspicious one."

FROM "BOOKLIST"
"Those who know little about blacklisting, the Cold War, and European life after WWII will just have to dive into the fantasy-adventure pool, which runs long and deep. Magic elixirs, transformational disguises, and everyday cunning help Janie, Benjamin, and several scientists elude capture."

FROM "KIRKUS REVIEWS"
"[I]ts blend of history, culture and the anxiety of the time with magical "science" will keep readers just as spellbound as the characters."

FROM "VOYA"
"[G]ood, strong historical fiction spiced with intrigue, magical realism, mystery, suspense, and science...the spies and historical twist give it a lot of flavor. The illustrations are fluid and delightful."

Praise for Maile Meloy s "THE APOTHECARY"
A "New York Times" Bestseller
E.B. White Read-Aloud Book Award Winner
2011 "Publishers Weekly" Best Book of the Year
2011 "Wall Street Journal" Best of the Year
2011 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Reading List

Inventive, smart and fun, an absolute delight.
REBECCA STEAD, Newbery Award-winning author of "WHEN YOU REACH ME"

FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW: "
[Meloy] brings to her first book for young readers the same emotional resonance that has won acclaim for her adult fiction, grounding her story in the intricacies of family love, friendship and loyalty blended here with the complicated fluctuations of adolescence.

FROM "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: "
Maile Meloy s sly commingling of the real and the imaginary make this a witty and entertaining Cold War romp with a touch of age-appropriate romance.

FROM "USA TODAY"
The title of Maile Meloy s smartly written, page-turning adventure/fantasy refers to a magical druggist in London in 1952. . . . It s for curious readers who, like Meloy s characters, can make room in their imaginations and allow for the possibilities.

STARRED REVIEW FROM "PUBLISHERS WEEKLY"
[A] thoroughly enjoyable adventure, filled with magic, humor, memorable characters, and just a bit of sweet romance. With evocative, confident prose and equally atmospheric spot art from Schoenherr, adult author Meloy s first book for young readers is an auspicious one.

FROM "BOOKLIST"
Those who know little about blacklisting, the Cold War, and European life after WWII will just have to dive into the fantasy-adventure pool, which runs long and deep. Magic elixirs, transformational disguises, and everyday cunning help Janie, Benjamin, and several scientists elude capture.

FROM "KIRKUS REVIEWS"
[I]ts blend of history, culture and the anxiety of the time with magical science will keep readers just as spellbound as the characters.

FROM "VOYA"
[G]ood, strong historical fiction spiced with intrigue, magical realism, mystery, suspense, and science the spies and historical twist give it a lot of flavor. The illustrations are fluid and delightful. "

Book Description:

A magical and thrilling novel about a young girl whose life unexpectedly transforms when she gets swept up in a race to save the world from nuclear war.

About this edition

• Publisher: Putnam Pub Group
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 039925627X
• ISBN 13: 9780399256271
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 353
• Illustrator: Schoenherr Ian