The Apothecary

The Apothecary by Maile Meloy.  Her first book for young readers.  Wow.  She really knocked this one out of the park!  Whoo!  Loved it!  Would definitely like to see this as a Newbery contender for 2011.  Wouldn't be surprised if it took the golden seal!  

This book is set in the 1950s during the Red Scare and so beautifully takes the reader on a journey with Janie, the American, and Benjamin, the English, and Pip, the East Ender...through not only the streets and schools of London, but somehow throughout the world.  With the characters venturing out of England only briefly to Norway...but you feel as if you've been introduced to the entire world during this era of fear and post-war trauma.  Love the perspective of the characters from each ally nation and how Meloy leaves the end open for "possibilities" as the narrator so eloquently puts it.  But if this book were to be a stand alone that would be okay with me as well.  The ending satisfies.  This reader has adequate closure.  But it would be so great to know what happens next!  ;)

Happy Summer Reading Y'all!
This makes book #18 for me.
RC