The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker

The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker by Cynthia DeFelice is the story of a twelve-year old losing his family to consumption in 1849. After burying his mother next to the rest of his family Lucas wanders the countryside for days, finally ending up south of his home at Doc Beecher’s house. The doc is looking for an apprentice and Lucas meets all his requirements. Working for Doc Beecher Lucas’ education begins; he faces the effects of consumption again, deals with his grief, and returns home to settle questions in his mind about the possibility of a cure for consumption.

The author of this fast paced story offers enough historical facts of the time, mixing it with an interesting story, to make digging up the dead seam reasonable. The presentation of consumption (tuberculosis), in this book is as harsh and unforgiving as the disease was. The lack of medical understanding adds to the believability of the story and of Lucas’s frustration. The suffering of Lucas immediately drew me into the story and kept my attention as he struggled to deal with the blows consumption had dealt him.
This book was a 1997 Parent’s Choice Award, an ALA Notable Book in 1996, and School Library Journal Best Book of the Year 1996.

I would recommend this book for students in grades 3 –5.
Keywords: apprentice, orphan, physician, consumption, grief, microscope, suspense