Blackthorn Key, The

Christopher Rowe is a young apprentice to a master apothecary in the mid-1600s and is very good at his job. When he learns that apothecaries are being murdered he is protective of his master, and when his master dies he finds the master has left a trail of codes and clues that Christopher must follow and solve, with the help of his friend Tom, to protect himself and his master's legacy and discover the reason behind the murders. This fast-paced award-winning novel for grades 6-8 features a resilient and resourceful protagonist and a realistic picture of the time period, and could be used for a read-aloud, literature circle, or independent reading.