The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker

By: Cynthia DeFelice

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Synopsis: After his family dies of consumption in 1849, twelve-year-old Lucas becomes a doctor's apprentice in this award-winning chapter book from beloved author Cynthia DeFelice, The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker. It's 1849, and twelve-year-old, Lucas Whitaker is all alone after his whole family dies of a disease called consumption which has swept through the community. Lucas is grief-stricken and filled with guilt. He might have saved his mother, who was the last to die, if only he had listened to news of a strange cure for this deadly disease.Unable to manage the family farm by himself, Lucas finds work as an apprentice to Doc Beecher, doctor, dentist, barber and undertaker. Doc amputates a leg as easily as he pulls a tooth, yet when it comes to consumption, he remains powerless, unwilling to try the cure he calls nonsense. Lucas can't accept Doc's disbelief, and he joins others in the dark ritual they believe is their only hope. The startling results teach Lucas a great deal about fear, desperation, and the scientific reasoning that offers hope for a true cure.The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker is a Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Book Quality:: Publisher Quality
Book Size:: 160 Pages
ISBN-13:: 9780374706722
Related ISBNs:: 9780374346690
Publisher:: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Date of Addition:: 09/04/24
Copyrighted By:: Cynthia C. DeFelice
Adult content:: No
Language:: English
Has Image Descriptions:: No
Categories:: History, Children's Books, Health, Mind and Body, Literature and Fiction, Parenting and Family
Grade Levels:: Fifth grade, Sixth grade, Seventh grade, Eighth grade, Ninth grade
Reading Age:: 10–14
Submitted By:: Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:: This is a copyrighted book.