Black Bird, Blue Road

In this dazzling historical fantasy, Pasternack (the Anya and the Dragon duology) tells of a tender sibling bond set in the little-known medieval Jewish empire of Khazaria. In the city of Atil, newly 12-year-old Ziva bat Leah is desperate to keep her brilliant, beloved twin brother, Pesah, from dying of leprosy. Inventive Pesah is kept in a house of his own on the Jewish family's property, but when the siblings' doctor uncle recommends that Pesah be sent to a far-flung colony, Ziva packs the siblings up and hits the road, hoping to find a cure. They soon meet up with a half-sheydim boy with whom they travel, but they're racing against time, and the long journey is shadowed quite literally by Malach hamavet--the Angel of Death himself. Pasternack shows how Ziva's love of justice drives her, while depicting a world in which spirits are manifest, healers come in many forms, and a bold girl can literally bargain with the Angel of Death. Tenderly rendering Ziva's feelings of responsibility--including around Pesah's physical care and amputating his infected fingers and toes--Pasternack imagines a rich, omen-filled journey that powerfully shows love and its limits. A contextualizing afterword and glossary conclude. Ages 8-12. Agent: Rena Rossner, Deborah Harris Agency. (Sept.)

"Part fantasy, part adventure... a touching story about the lengths we go to save those we love. A magical tale, beautifully told." — Anne Blankman, National Jewish Book Award and Sydney Taylor Honor winning author of The Blackbird Girls

"A bit reminiscent of Madeleine L'Engle, a bit reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz, this story... will keep young readers breathless until its heart-rending conclusion." — Susan Lynn Meyer, Sydney Taylor Honor winning author of Black Radishes and Skating With the Statue of Liberty

"Unforgettable... Cleverly weaves mythology and Jewish traditions to highlight the incredible courage and resilience of family." — Chris Baron, author of All of Me and The Magical Imperfect

A gripping story of two siblings that will do everything they can to save each other... Brilliantly crafted, heartbreakingly beautiful. — Ally Malinenko, author of Ghost Girl