by Martin Booth
2) Tim describes his homeroom teacher,Yoland, as a “murderer, a mind-bender, and a traitor.” How does Yoland fit each characteristic of this three-part description?
3) Pip and Tim are faced with the challenge of converting the fifteenth century—born Sebastian into a regular twenty-first-century kid. What are some of the “modern” words they teach him? Are these words still used today? Which are used in England only, and which are used in both England and the U.S.? What are some other steps Pip and Tim take when they give Sebastian a makeover? What other steps would you take to make him fit in at your school?
4) When Tim suggests to Sebastian, “Can’t you sort of use magic to make your way [to school]? Turn up as a bird and change into human mode in a stall in the boys’ room or behind the bike sheds?” Sebastian says that this is possible, but not wise. Describe Sebastian’s powers. What kinds of responsibilities go along with using those powers? Why do you think he chooses not to follow Tim’s suggestion, but cures Julia of her warts?
5) Sebastian alludes to several figures from British history, including Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, Queen Anne, Queen Joan, the Duke of Gloucester, Henry IV, and Henry V. Based on the descriptions of these figures from the text — and on your own research — which is the most interesting figure to you? Why?
6) Sebastian describes to Tim and Pip some ancient medicinal practices used in his father’s time. Since it was believed that noxious odors caused disease — and that the risk of infection was reduced if they could be counteracted with a pleasant smell — people carried lemons and other fruit with them, often pierced with cloves, to produce a strong and beneficial scent. Sebastian also mentions that a powder of dessicated sowbugs taken with warm milk was used to help ease stomachaches. What unusual ancient medicinal practices can you think of that are used today?
7) Sebastian tells Pip that what she sees through the camera obscura is her chimera, “the beast of your fears and nightmares.” What other meanings of “chimera” are mentioned in the book? Look up “chimera” in the dictionary — what different meanings of the word do you find there?
8) When Tim goes fishing, he is startled to see not one but several Scrottons. Sebastian explains that, like a butterfly, replicates of the original Scrotton emerge from the shell of a chrysalis. How does this process of creating replicates of one species compare to the process of cloning as we know it today? In your opinion, what are the positive and negative effects of creating replicates/cloning in this book and in real life?
9) Sebastian’s father’s enemy, Malodor, has a name that is a pun (a play on words revealing different senses of the same word): it means “bad smell” in French, and this description is fitting for his evil character. Malodor is also called de Loudeac and Loudacre. Do these aliases also reflect his character? In what ways do you feel that Pip (whose real name is Phillipa), Tim (or Timothy), Sebastian, Guy Scrotton, or other characters have names that fit their personalities or roles in the book?
10) Do you believe in spellbooks and spellkeys? Does the evidence in this book convince you that such devices exist? Why or why not? Do you believe that one day, there will be a way to read people’s minds? To control —or steal — their souls?
Dangerous magic—ancient enemies
Doctor Flluminatus
Sebastian is the alchemist’s son,
pursuing his father’s enemies
through the centuries.
Caught in a web of magic and
cunning, Pip and Tim’s only hope
of escape is to join the desperate battle
against unimaginable evil.
The first book about the alchemist’s son a fantastical tale of sorcery and betrayal
Someone is out to steal your soul.
Thrust into a world of dangerous games and deep-seated malice between old rivals, Pip and Tim are in for an adventure more frightening than they could imagine. Over the summer, they had discovered Sebastian—a medieval alchemist’s son who has awakened from centuries-old sleep-—and helped thwart his father’s enemy’s evil schemes. They thought that their work was done.
Now, another enemy has emerged from the past and has an even deadlier plan: to get hold of an ancient book of spells and use it to steal the souls of millions. Can Sebastian’s knowledge of alchemy and witchcraft keep the sinister magician at bay? And when their school field trip seems fated to turn into a nuclear disaster, can Pip and Tim’s courage and quick wit keep them alive?
Praise for soul stealer:
“Rich in thoroughly researched alchemical lore.”
—kirkus
“This will appeal to middle school students who like challenging stories, adventures involving sorcery, and fiercely competent young heroes.”
—KLIATT
“Praise for Doctor illuminatus:
“I love this book.”
—Eoin Colfer
“This suspense novel is sure to please fans of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series… looking for an engaging story utilizing a more sophisticated writing style.
—School Library Journal
