The Boneshaker

Kate Milford

May 2010 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

Thirteen-year-old Natalie Minks loves machines, particularly automata—self-operating mechanical devices, usually powered by clockwork. When Jake Limberleg and his traveling medicine show arrive in her small Missouri town with a mysterious vehicle under a tarp and an uncanny ability to make Natalie’s half-built automaton move, she feels in her gut that something about this caravan of healers is a bit off. Her uneasiness leads her to investigate the intricate maze of the medicine show, where she discovers a horrible truth and realizes that only she has the power to set things right.

Set in 1914, The Boneshaker is a gripping, richly textured novel about family, community, courage, and looking evil directly in the face in order to conquer it. This ebook includes a sample chapter of THE BROKEN LANDS.

Ratings and reviews

I just went back to school and found the book in my box. I am glad I had the opportunity to read and review it. This story is set in 1913 and the main character is 13 year old tomboy Natalie Minks from Arcane, Missouri. She likes all things mechanical and helps her father. When she isn't helping him she listens to her mother who is a master story teller. Things plug along smoothly until the traveling medicine show comes to town. At this point I have to say the book reminded me of one of my favorite movies, "Something Wicked This Way Comes". Natalie must find a way to make the adults in the town believe her. She knows the "doctor" is not really who he claims to be. This was a fun and quirky book. It had history, fantasy, and a spooky, creepy feel throughout the book. I won't say this book is for everyone, but I believe I will have a large number of students who will appreciate this, especially if I pitch it just right. I know it requires some background knowledge that not everyone will have. Still, when all is said and done I enjoyed the book. The illustrations are absolutely fabulous.

About the author

Kate Milford is the New York Times best-selling author of the Edgar Award–winning, National Book Award nominee Greenglass House, as well as Ghosts of Greenglass House, Bluecrowne, The Thief Knot, and many more. She lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York. www.greenglasshousebooks.com and www.katemilfordwritesbooks.com, Twitter: @KateMilford

Andrea Offermann attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and lives in Hamburg, Germany. Her illustrations for The Boneshaker marked her U.S. publishing debut. To find out more about Andrea and her work, please visit www.andreaoffermann.com.