Alchemy (published in 2004) is a novel for older children by the New Zealand author Margaret Mahy.

Alchemy
Book cover of 2004 paperback edition
AuthorMargaret Mahy
LanguageEnglish
GenreFantasy novel
PublisherCollinsFlamingo
Publication date
November 4, 2004
Publication placeNew Zealand
Pages271
ISBN978-0-00-713135-8
OCLC55076927
Preceded by24 Hours 
Followed byDon't Read This! 

Plot summary

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Roland, a 7th former who has been caught shoplifting, is given an unusual assignment: to spy on a mysterious girl in his class who is studying alchemy. Jess Ferret is an eccentric girl who likes playing with words. However, an enemy from the boy's past wants the girl's power and is using him for information. Roland eventually finds out that he is not unlike Jess and her abilities, but gets them both into a situation which endangers their lives.

Alchemy has similar themes to two other books by Mahy, The Changeover and The Haunting.

The book won the senior fiction section of the 2003 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards.[1]

References

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  1. ^ "New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults – Young Adult Fiction". Christchurch City Libraries. Retrieved 21 December 2016.