I read my first Karen Cushman novel fifteen years ago; Catherine Called Birdy, followed by The Midwife’s Apprentice. These historical novels about smart, strong girls growing up during Medieval times and under the most difficult circumstances not only entertained, but transported and enlightened me. Her new novel, Alchemy and Meggy Swann does the same.

Alchemy and Meggy Swann is set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in London. Meggy was born with crooked legs requiring the use of walking sticks to help her get around. As the story opens Meggy is summoned to London by her father, a man Meggy doesn’t remember and it soon becomes obvious, her father doesn’t remember much about her; he is an alchemist in London and requires help in his laboratory. Not only is he oblivious to Meggy’s physical limitations, he doesn’t even remember her name. Once Meggy settles in with her father, she does everything she can to help him hoping he will accept and perhaps even care for her. But everything changes when Meggy overhears her father accepting money from two men in exchange for his help in poisoning a Baron. The girl knows she must stop the murder to ultimately save her father’s life.

This novel is very reminiscent of the story, “The Ugly Duckling”. Because of her crooked legs, Meggy has learned to survive by keeping to herself and the use of a sharp tongue, when needed. But during the time Meggy lives with her father, she meets neighbors who not only accept and help her, but she also makes an honest-to-goodness friend and that is all it takes for her to blossom into a swan. For good readers, ages 10 and up. ~Patti