The Elixir
By (Author) Lindsay Galvin
Illustrated by Kristina Kister
HarperCollins Publishers
Barrington Stoke Ltd
1st December 2025
5th June 2025
United Kingdom
Children
Fiction
Childrens / Teenage fiction: True stories told as fiction
Childrens / Teenage fiction: Action and adventure stories
823.92
Paperback
120
Width 129mm, Height 198mm, Spine 12mm
320g
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 grandmothers mysterious gift of healing, which she shares through the special tinctures she dispenses in her familys 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.
"History and magic collide in this bewitching tale!" Lucy Strange
"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
"The triangular connection of 17th century witch hunting, the plague and young Isaac Newtown create a compelling story that will keep readers hooked The Elixir is the perfect story for children in Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 who enjoy historical fiction stirred up with science and magic." Scope for Imagination, blog
"The gorgeous front cover was the first thing that drew me in, and thankfully, the magic continued all the way through Its packed with interesting, unusual language that will spark curiosity and imagination The plot itself is super intriguing, mixing real historical elements like Englands witch-hunting past with the scientific genius of Isaac Newton. Its a clever combination that makes the story feel exciting and different." NetGalley review
"An absolutely compelling historical fantasy novella that completely captured me, holding me utterly entranced from start to finish An enthralling page-turner that captures the indomitable spirit of a young girl who uses her innate abilities to help others and stand against hatred and prejudice." NetGalley review
Former teacher Lindsay Galvin is the acclaimed author of numerous books for children, including her middle-grade titles Darwins 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.