For young readers grappling with big fears or facing difficult challenges, this imaginative tale offers a powerful story of resilience, courage, and finding hope in unexpected places.
Parents might reach for this book when their child is feeling overwhelmed by scary world events or facing a personal challenge that feels too big to handle. This historical fantasy follows Juniper, a young girl living in a city gripped by a mysterious, creeping plague. While adults are paralyzed by fear, Juniper discovers she may hold the key to a cure, a secret tied to the city’s master perfumers. A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes is an atmospheric adventure that explores heavy themes like widespread illness, fear, and loss through a fantastical lens. It’s an excellent choice for middle grade readers who are ready for a story with higher stakes, as it beautifully models how courage, curiosity, and collaboration can bring light to the darkest of times.
Characters are in danger from the plague and from those trying to stop their mission.
Sensitive Topics
The central theme is a pandemic, serving as a direct allegory for societal fear, misinformation, and grief. The approach is secular and fantastical. It deals with loss and death of side characters due to the plague, but the focus remains on the protagonists' quest and their resilience. The resolution is definitively hopeful, emphasizing community and rebirth.
Ideal Reader
A sensitive 10 to 12-year-old who thinks deeply about the world. This child enjoys intricate world-building and atmospheric mysteries. They might be feeling anxious about large, uncontrollable problems and would benefit from a story that models proactivity and hope in the face of immense challenges.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for conversations about illness, fear, and loss. The descriptions of the plague's effects, while not graphic, are somber and could be upsetting. Previewing the first few chapters where the plague is introduced is recommended for more sensitive readers. The book can be read cold, but framing it as a story about hope can be helpful. A parent overhears their child expressing anxiety about the news, illness, or a general sense of doom. The child might ask, "What if something bad happens to us?" or say, "The world feels scary right now."
Age Experience
A 9-year-old will likely focus on the adventure: the secret codes, the quest for ingredients, and the brave friendship. A 12-year-old is more apt to grasp the allegorical layers, a commentary on how fear is manipulated, the importance of art and science, and the power of individuals to effect change.
What Makes It Special
This book's unique magic system, based on the sensory and scientific art of perfumery, sets it apart. Instead of classic fantasy tropes, it uses olfaction and botany as the key to saving the world. This provides a fresh, tangible framework for exploring themes of healing, memory, and finding beauty in dark times.
Read plot summary
In a quasi-historical city under quarantine from a mysterious plague, a young girl named Juniper teams up with an unlikely friend to find a cure. They discover the plague is linked to a corrupt faction and that the secret to an antidote lies in the forgotten art of perfumery. The story follows their quest to gather rare ingredients and knowledge, all while evading those who wish to control the city through fear.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Juniper noticed things the adults missed because they were too afraid. When has fear ever stopped you, or someone you know, from seeing a clear solution to a problem?
2
The perfumers' art was seen as a luxury by some, but it turned out to be the key to saving everyone. Why do you think things like art, music, or stories are important, especially during difficult times?
3
Juniper had to decide who to trust with her dangerous secret. What qualities did her allies show that made them trustworthy? How do you decide who to trust?
4
The authors use smells to create the mood, from the stench of sickness to the hopeful scent of a rare flower. What smells in your own life bring up strong memories or feelings?
