Magic, science and history mix in Lindsay Galvin’s new story for Barrington Stoke.
Ann works in her family’s apothecary shop and has special skills learned from her grandmother that make her healing tinctures particularly effective. With input from a young Isaac Newton, the family’s new lodger, she creates an elixir with truly extraordinary powers. When plague arrives at her village, Ann moves quickly to save her community, only to put herself in the sights of a cruel witchfinder. L
indsay Galvin packs lots of action into this short, ultra-readable novel, as Ann finds herself in danger after danger, while working to do as much good as possible. The final twist in the tale is particularly satisfying and this atmospheric, immersive story will keep readers gripped from beginning to end while the presence of Isaac Newton is an added treat.
With a witchfinder skulking about town, gifted healer Ann and a young Isaac Newton must be careful not to draw too much attention in this high-stakes story from Lindsay Galvin.
Will the discovery of the Elixir of Life lead to a death sentence for a talented young healer?
Ann Storer has inherited her grandmother's mysterious gift of healing, which she shares through the special tinctures she dispenses in her family's apothecary shop. When she combines her talents with the genius of a young Isaac Newton, recently arrived to board above the shop, the two create an incredible elixir with seemingly unlimited powers.
But seventeenth-century England is a dangerous time to display any special abilities, and Ann must hide all evidence when witch-hunter Abel Geach arrives in town.So when the plague starts to run rife and those she loves are in danger, will Ann risk everything to help them?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
Lindsay Galvin is a former teacher and the acclaimed author of numerous books for children, including her middle-grade titles Darwin’s Dragons, My Friend the Octopus, Call of the Titanic – an Indie book of the month – and The Great Phoenix of London, all of which brilliantly blend historical fact and fiction, combining meticulous research with page-turning storylines.
