Elixir

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 place to display any special abilities, and Ann must hide all evidence when witchfinder 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.

"An intriguing, unconventional story that spans themes of science, alchemy and witch trials ... Galvin is a terrific writer of historical fiction for children and here concocts an atmospheric tale with appeal to both reluctant and confident readers alike." - The Times, The Best Children's Books of 2025 "Publisher Barrington Stoke makes a point of serving not-so-keen readers with sharp plots and friendly fonts. The Elixir by Lindsay Galvin mixes historical fact with a swirl of the supernatural, while Kristina Kister's vivid illustrations combine modern graphic styles with costume drama." - The Observer "History and magic collide in this bewitching tale!" - Lucy Strange A history lesson of fascinating facts wrapped up in a high-stakes adventure ... brimming with action, danger and powerful emotions ... Galvin's richly descriptive writing, her vibrant imagination and her ability to deliver adventures full of peril, pathos and powerful messages has made her a go-to author and The Elixir has been perfectly blended for success both in homes and classrooms." - Sheffield Telegraph "Lindsay 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." - LoveReading4Kids "The combination of witchery, plague and healing is always a winner for me but add in the appearance of Isaac Newton and present it in an accessible, easy to read format and this story becomes a must-read!" - Read for Good "Lindsay Galvin is an exceptional writer ... Her ability to convey so much description, action, emotion, characterisation and plot in such inclusive language and structure is masterful ... With a drive, passion and a touch of magic, Ann is a marvellous protagonist." - From Pen And Page, blog.

Reviews

Former teacher Lindsay Galvin is 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.