In fact, the Russian spy and his son were an example of people trying to do “good” while so many people assumed they were evil simply because of their heritage. To students, I might explain why there was such negative sentiment towards these groups of people but that it’s never good to generalize or stereotype. Something to point out, though, is that Germans, Russians, Japanese are cast in a negative light by the Americans and English, as they were at this time period. It’s got too much mysticism to be read as a class text for the purpose of studying history, but it would be an excellent way to get kids interested in history by doing a booktalk or using it in a book club.
It could find a place in both an English or social studies classroom, and it would be an excellent companion while studying WWII or the Red Scare. The real test of Benjamen’s love is when he has to say goodbye. It isn’t soppy or inappropriate, and you can’t help but root for them. The romance is adorable and beautifully done. I’m curious to see what role he will have, if any, in The Apprentices (the sequel). I wasn’t sure about him at first, but he’s sure adorable, if not a stereotypical Dickens-esque pickpocket. Janie is intelligent, careful, bold, brave, and shy all at once while Benjamin is much the same with some rebellious qualities. Janie and Benjamin (and their parents) were a breath of fresh air after the maddening characters in the Divergent series that I just finished. I was completely drawn into the world Meloy had created, not to mention the lovely characters. The Apothecary is a perfect blend of believable historical fiction with some magic thrown in there. Five minutes have passed since I finished it, and I’ve already begun the sequel.īeing a history lover, I was naturally intrigued by the setting, both the location (London, at least for a while) and the time period (1955). This book was recommended to me by my fabulous cooperating teacher, and I loved it.
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.
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. 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. It’s 1952 and the Scott family has just moved from Los Angeles to London. Library recommendation: Middle or high school
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