Black Bird, Blue Road - Michigan Association of State Librarians List. Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice. Sydney Taylor Honor for Middle Grade

In this historical fantasy novel, praised as a “rich, omen-filled journey that powerfully shows love and its limits*” and “propulsive, wise, and heartbreaking,”** Ziva will do anything to save her twin brother Pesah from his illness—even facing the Angel of Death himself. From Sydney Taylor Honor winner and National Jewish Book Award finalist Sofiya Pasternack.

Pesah has lived with leprosy for years, and the twins have spent most of that time working on a cure. Then Pesah has a vision: The Angel of Death will come for him on Rosh Hashanah, just one month away.

So Ziva takes her brother and runs away to find doctors who can cure him. But when they meet and accidentally free a half-demon boy, he suggests paying his debt by leading them to the fabled city of Luz, where no one ever dies—the one place Pesah will be safe.

They just need to run faster than The Angel of Death can fly...

(*Publishers Weekly, starred review; **Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

• A Brother and Sister Bond: Ziva, fierce and determined, will do anything to save her brilliant twin brother Pesah from a terrible illness and a terrifying prophecy.
• A Race Against Time: With the Angel of Death getting closer and Rosh Hashanah just one month away, the twins must find a safe haven before it’s too late.
• An Unlikely Friendship: Their journey takes a turn when they free Almas, a mysterious half-demon boy who pledges to guide them but carries secrets of his own.
• A Rich Historical World: Set in the ancient Khazar Empire, this adventure brings Jewish history and folklore to vivid life on the sweeping shores of the Caspian Sea.