Fort Morgan Public Library

While working at pleasant but mundane summer jobs in San Francisco, fifteen-year-old twins Sophie and Josh suddenly find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists Nicholas Flamel and John Dee over the possession of an ancient and powerful book holding the secret formulas for alchemy and everlasting life.

In 1573, the crippled, scorned, and destitute Meggy Swann goes to London, where she meets her father, an impoverished alchemist, and eventually discovers that although her legs are bent and weak, she has many other strengths.