The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker

A boy learns from his master, who is doctor & etc., the wisdom of science and the folly of superstition. If your whole family dies of consumption, it is *not* because the first is undead & visiting the others to sicken them, and it will do no good to remove their heart & burn it. Beautifully written; the reader is with Lucas as he loses his mother, clings to the idea that he could have saved her, and finally learns to move on with the man who has become like a father to him.

A perfect STEM book for those who prefer fiction.

This is a pretty decent children's book and work of historical fiction. Set in 1849, this book revolves around the disease of tuberculosis (known back then as consumption) and the clash between superstition and science in the pursuit of a cure for this usually-fatal disease.

It's presented in an age-appropriate format (about 8-12 year olds) and is honest and educational without being too gory (there is an amputation in here, but the reader is spared of the bloody details) and also does a nice job of presenting life in that era, where there was no running water or electricity (much less computers and smart phones!) There was something pretty gross in here that makes the adult in me shudder but might make kids laugh - something involving show more long underwear that I will not spoil here.

The novel is not too thick, and would be a good book for kids to give them some foundational knowledge about the history of medicine, and give them a better appreciation of what we have here in the 21st century. show less

I had read so many dark books by this point that I was wondering whether my school was intentionally recommending depressing books! This had a fascinating backstory, and might be one of those books that sucks kids into learning about history.

After his family dies of consumption in 1849, twelve-year-old Lucas becomes a doctor's apprentice.