Black Bird, Blue Road

by Sofiya Pasternack

In this historical fantasy novel from Sydney Taylor Honor winner and National Jewish Book Award finalist Sofiya Pasternack, Ziva will do anything to save her twin brother Pesah from his illness--even facing the Angel of Death himself.

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...

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Jewish, Fiction, Historical, Adventure

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 20, 2022

About the author

Sofiya Pasternack is a mental health professional, the highly-distractible author of Jewish MG and YA fantasy, and prone to oversharing gross medical stories. She enjoys speaking to crowds about writing and mental health. She does not enjoy running but she does it anyway. She is actually a gremlin in a bad wig.

Her upcoming middle grade fantasy, BLACK BIRD, BLUE ROAD, is all about death, demons, and dessert. It will be available 9/20/22!

Sofiya does stuff all over the internet!
Twitter: @sofipasternack
Insta: @sofipasternack
YouTube: youtube.com/c/sofiyapasternack

Reviews

[Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you!
Review to follow at a later date.

[Sofiya Pasternack]

July 26, 2022
MORE COOL BOOK NEWS! Black Bird, Blue Road got its SECOND STAR!!!!!! This one is from Publishers Weekly, and yeah I'm still just in awe about it. Heck I'm still in awe about the Kirkus star, and now here comes another one. 😱 👀 Here's the review for that one if you want to check it out (https://bit.ly/BBBRPW), and my favorite part of it is: "[...]a world in which spirits are manifest, healers come in many forms, and a bold girl can literally bargain with the Angel of Death." ❤️❤️❤️
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June 8, 2022
COOL BOOK NEWS!!! Kirkus gave this book a STAR!!! Y’all??? I didn’t get a star on either of my other books, so getting one for this book is exploding my brain! If you want to check out their review, it’s here: https://bit.ly/BBBRKirkus. My favorite part: “…this is a story about grief and illness and arguing with the rules of the world, enduring and enjoying the living that happens between now and the end…” GASSSSPPPPPP omg. Yes. Yes. Yes. I’m so excited for everyone to read Ziva and Pesah’s story!!!
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Feb 23, 2022
Hey wow it's been a while since I updated this book, huh? Well, I'm back now, because I have a cover that I can show! Eeep!!! It'll be updated here soon, but in the meantime, check out the whole jacket and its early sketches on my website! (https://www.sofiyapasternack.com/post...)
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December 2020
😱😱😱 Yay my book can finally be shouted about!!

[Joe Kessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding middle-grade Jewish fantasy novel from #ownvoices author Sofiya Pasternack, who had previously dazzled me with her Anya and the Dragon debut. I love this one even more, from all the subtle authentic touches of lived-in Judaism and lesser-known mythological nods to the fierce twelve-year-old heroine willing to take on the entire world and the literal Angel of Death for a chance to heal her twin's leprosy. I appreciate how there's no discernible antisemitism anywhere here too, after that was such a major tension in the Anya series. (Realistic bigotries in fiction have their place, as it can be empowering to see characters overcoming obstacles similar to our own. But it's also nice for some works about marginalized identities to not depict their oppression, and reassuring to note that this particular writer can do either effectively.)

My biggest concern about the disability plot of this book was that Pesah would be problematically healed by magic and/or reduced to an inspirational figure with no agency of his own, but Pasternack skillfully avoids both those traps throughout. The fantasy element doesn't even arrive until a quarter of the way through the text, giving us ample time to settle in with the blunt reality of the boy's condition. Although this is largely Ziva's story -- we open on her grimly preparing to amputate another of his fingers, as the only family member still comfortable getting close enough to care for him like that -- the narrative always finds space for her brother to assert his own preferences for his life and treatment, which are often quite different from hers.

When the children learn that their parents will be sending Pesah off to an isolated leper colony, they run away together, looking for a doctor who might be able to cure him. Instead they cross paths with a shedim (a folkloric being somewhat analogous to an Islamic djinn), who encourages them to find the mystical city of Luz, where no one ever dies. There the milcham (a giant bird granted immortality in the Garden of Eden) is said to protect its fellow inhabitants, while the angel Azrael waits patiently outside. But reaching that destination isn't necessarily the solution to their crisis that it seems to be, as the unlikely trio of companions eventually discover.

The resulting tale is a fun adventure in the quasi-historical 10th-century Khazar kingdom, but also a deeply personal account of a young girl coming to terms with her sibling's mortality. In true Jewish fashion this protagonist wrestles with pronouncements of fate again and again, and while the genre allows her to seek a miracle, Pasternack plays fair in not delivering one -- and in helping her understand, to the extent that anyone can, why her kind and clever loved one will nevertheless soon die. It's a powerful work that overcomes my natural hesitancy towards middle-grade drama by tackling such a big question, and I think I ultimately have to give it my highest rating for how it might help younger readers process illness and loss in their own lives. If every book is to be judged against the best possible version of itself, it's hard to imagine any way that this particular title could have been improved.

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[Jessica Vitalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clear-your-schedule-because-you-won’t-want-to-set-it-down kind of book! Truly, I was hooked from the very first line: I have to cut off Pesah’s finger today. We learn shortly thereafter that Pesah is Ziva’s twin brother. He’s suffering from what the reader eventually figures out is leprosy, and he’s been shunned by every member of his relatively affluent family—ever member except his loving and devoted sister, who is sure that she’s immune to the disease since she’s slept in the same room for him for years without catching it. Ziva is fiery and bold, and absolutely devoted to her brilliant twin, determined to do everything in her power to help him find a cure for his disease. When their family eventually determines to send him away to a colony, she loads him in a family wagon and they flee. It’s not necessarily a surprise when they are kidnapped, but it is a surprise when they end up joining forces with a boy who is part demon. And it’s an even bigger surprise when he offers to lead them to a city where it’s believed no one can die––ever. But can they get there before the Angel of Death catches them? This story is smart and captivating, and I love the note at the end that helps readers understand the history woven into the story.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I said it yesterday and I will say it today

If this does not receive any recognition at the ALA Youth Media Awards, I will be VERY surprised. Yes, I need to dive more into just what the committee looks for, but in the meantime, I think of the things that stand out to me.

1.) An amazing storyline. Where I flitted between the line of magic realism and fantasy with the realistic fiction components.
2) A different setting. I do not often see books that involve Jewish protagonists (especially in NON Holocaust/WWII texts).
3.) The LOVE between brother and sister. Ziva would do anything for Pesch, even face Death in the face. I loved the sacrificial love and bond that the both shared at different times throughout Black Bird, Blue Road. It made me teary.
4.) I found the dialogue to be very well written. I know, I know, this shouldn't stand out to me. It should be the case all the time. But let's be real. It's middle grade fiction and there is a lot of garbage out there.

Read this book, y'all. I need to process it more but right now, all I can say is wow. This story will be enjoyed by many of my patrons. It reads like an adventure novel. It would have mythology elements that appeal to fans of Percy Jackson. It is a sibling story. It's clean of content. It's a winner in my book.

[Alissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one held up to a second reading. Such a beautiful handling of saying goodbye to a loved one. I still love this book!!

Original review:
I usually glance at the dedication in a book as I begin to read. Some of them are quite unique. This one read, "To C and C-- I would poke an angel in the eyes for you." Well. Definitely unique. I wasn't quite sure I understood it completely, but authors sometimes have their inside jokes/messages. Then I read the book. I absolutely loved it. I loved how spunky Ziva is. I love how she gives everything to fight the inevitable. I love the growth that she goes through. And now the dedication makes total sense. Place the kleenex box close by for this one. Totally worth your time.

2023 prc #9 A book with a color in the title

[Elise Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful novel. I listened to it on Libby and felt the narrator did a great job. If I were to use it for a book club or whole-class novel study, I would definitely want my students to explore the themes of empathy, compassion, family dynamics, terminal illnesses, friendship, and grief. Well done, Sofia Pasternak.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like, words do not describe how much I adored this book. I cried. It’s one that I think will stick with me for awhile.

[Estrella Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tumblr || Instagram

I hope this'll be as good as Anya and the Dragon! :D I can't wait to get my hands on this

Edit: Finished this over the course of seven hours. I'm still bawling ;-; Full review to come

> Edit 2: “Pesah, I am not going to let you die. I’ll fight the Angel of Death itself for you. You said it has a lot of eyes? Well, I’ll poke all its eyes out.”

That utterly golden quote pretty much sums up most of what you need to know about Ziva.

Speaking of Ziva and Pesah, I think they’ve nearly topped my list of favorite fictional siblings (The Elric brothers are and always will be in first place)! I loed how passionate and protective Ziva was. Pesah was so sweet and gentle and very mature for a twelve-year-old... At least, much more mature than I was at twelve.

I wish we’d gotten to see more of Ziva “mauling a situation into equality and fairness for everyone involved”, though.

I really like the little bits where Azriel narrates. I also found it fascinating how he could see into the future and knows about pneumonia and how it works. It gives off the impression that he’s omnipotent, or at least not bound by time and space, cementing that he’s not an earthly creature. He’s something else, and he doesn’t play by the same rules that we do.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story. It was full of adventure and I learned a lot about Jewish mythology and made me think about new ways of looking at death. I think this book would really appeal to middle schoolers, both boys and girls, especially those who are dealing with illness or death in their immediate family.

[Meredith Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black Bird, Blue Road is a mesmerizing read. I loved learning about the legend of the malachs, (angels,) and sheydem, (demons,) in Jewish mythology. Most importantly, this is a book rich in historical detail about a little-known time period and empire in history. The relationship between Ziva and Pesah was so beautiful. Almas is an engaging character as well: a half-sheydem trapped between prejudices and his true nature. I especially loved how Pasternack portrayed Malach-SHavet, (THe Angel of Death.) Her approach was very unique. This is a novel about familial love, learning to accept things that cannot be changed, and finding courage to admit mistakes and learn from them. I thoroughly recommend this beautiful read. God bless you all.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ziva is the daughter of a prominent judge, and aspires to be like her Baba (father) one day. She loves her brother, Pesha, dearly. Pesha suffers from leprosy and is often hidden away from the world. Upon discovering that her uncle plans to take Pesha away, she decides to change her brother's ill-fate by taking him to the legendary city of Luz to cure him.
Along the way, she will be aided by the mysterious and possibly dangerous half-demon boy Almas, some oddly-behaved ravens and trailed by the Angel of Death itself.
Can she cure her brother? Will she prove her own worth through justice? Is Almas the danger? Why does the Angel want her brother to die so badly?
Combining Jewish folklore, myth and religion, amidst a swirl of lush landscapes and incredibly enduring characters, Sofiya Pasternack gives a story of sibling love, sacrifice and hope!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man oh man, have the tissue box handy.

[Simara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pasternak is an excellent storyteller for this age range (and mine own too, apparently). She captivates you immediately, and doesn’t let up for a moment. This is a book saturated with heavy themes of tragedy, grief, and family relationships, but you experience it as vivid and blasting as a vision itself. While the idea of a scrappy adolescent girl who is at odds with her mom is nothing new, I absolutely loved Ziva, her passionate loyalty and determination which at every turn Pasternak colored with empathy and fallibility, avoiding the trope of a heroine possessed of a virtue so strong it borders on super power.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet little book about dealing with death. I enjoyed the setting and characters, though I rather wished it was fleshed out a little more. But it was perfect for middle grade.

[Alexa L · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first full cry from a book this year! Unfortunately, it happened while I was driving! Eek. Such a phenomenal story and I think it will resonate with a lot of people.

[Wafflepirates · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*

I loved Pasternack's Anya and the Dragon series, so I was excited thatn ot only is there a new book from her, but that it's also just as amazing. This story is about Ziva and Pesah, twins who live in a well-off family and whose father is a judge. Pesah, however, has leprosy, and as a result has been largely isolated from the family to keep the disease from spreading. That doesn't stop Ziva, who is convinced she's the only one who can truly care for him properly. But, when Pesah starts getting worse and their Uncle suggests sending him to a leper colony, Ziva takes matters into her own hands, leaving their home with Pesah to go on a journey to find a cure. But, it's a race against time and Ziva may just have to confront the Angel of Death to save her brother. I enjoyed the sibling relationship between the twins, and Almas, the half-demon boy they meet along the way was an interesting addition to their group. There are some fantasy elements to the story, but it is largely about the journey and the sibling bond. The ending was surprising, yet satisfying, and I felt like the story was perfectly wrapped up by the end.

[Deke Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if I could predict the end, the journey there made that eventual ending so much more gut wrenching and horrible. Ugh. I needed a good cry, though I ended up having some pretty gnarly nightmares last night after finishing this. Such a vivid book full of Jewish mythology, wonderfully and artfully done- and goodness were there some scares that were truly unnerving (not too terrible for a nudge schooler!! I’m just a wimp!) cannot wait for this book to be released! So happy I got the chance to read it!

[Thomas Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was disappointing to me. It started off as a wonderful historical fiction. Then it became a lot more fantastical, even making up stuff going well-beyond Jewish traditions and beliefs.

Also, the Khazars likely did not convert to Judaism. This is a commonly held belief based on some assumptions of a small handful of people over a thousand years ago. It does not hold up to any scrutiny, and there is no evidence among Khazar sites of this. Rather, the people seem to be very open to any religious beliefs, and there were very diverse religions in the Khaganate as opposed to those of other kingdoms of the time. And if you read the Old Testament (and the Jewish community does), you will find that an important part of their belief is that all gods other than GOD are false gods. This book tries to be more 'inclusive,' and it makes the people who didn't convert to Judaism somehow better and on a higher plane than those who did.

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ziva refuses to let her twin brother suffer alone, despite the dire warnings that she may catch his leprosy. But when their parents give up and decide to send him away to a colony, Ziva takes charge and steals her brother away, hoping to find a miracle cure somewhere in the distance. Instead she finds a demon—er, half shade—who knows the way to the city where death cannot enter. So of course they set out. But there's so much standing in their way, and they're not even sure they're making the right choices.

Well, this one is a lot more serious than Anya and the Dragon. It plunges into questions of good and evil, justice and punishment, and even whether or not all gods are one. It doesn't quite answer any of these questions, which left me a little unsettled at the end. Well, now I'm sad, but I'm also thoughtful, so I guess this book did what it was trying to do.

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mock Newbery group chose this is our pick for the 2023 Newbery award. I was disappointed not to see it win one but am happy it received a Sydney Taylor award.

This book has a little something for everyone. It will peak students interests when it starts with Ziva cutting off her brother Pesah's finger. That was a unique beginning! ;) Pesah is sick and is dying. Ziva refuses to accept it and she takes Pesah on a quest to save his life by finding the fabled city of Luz where Pasah will become immortal.

I like how it made me examine my thoughts on death. It was also a page turner with action and adventure along their quest. Ziva also meets many people and creatures along the way who shape how she sees the world.

[eve.lyn._.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

  2.9 Stars
Black Bird, Blue Road is a good book that I felt I wasn't enjoying to its fullest potential. This author's books either work for me or don't, and this one is the middle of the two. The premise, world-building, protagonist, and everything about it in general were solid. I just couldn't find myself completely immersed in the plot or in the characters, wondering when the book would be over. Then there was the ending, which was done in such a beautiful and powerful way. To Sofiya Pasternack: I really love the ending she decided for Pesah's arc. He was honestly such a powerful character, and the ending was stunning. So often does an author try to keep the story light-hearted with a happily-ever-after, avoiding what makes life... Sofiya has created such a good story, such a good ending, and definitely something I have to return to someday to re-evaluate my rating!
☑️PLOT
☑️CHARACTERS
🆗PLOT TWISTS

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, simple and profound. This is a book that teaches so much - about different cultures, about fairy-tales and narrative structure, about love and grief and death - I loved it. Adored it. Highly recommend especially for families wanting a little religion in a story (Jewish protagonist, angels)

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sofiya Pasternack's Black Bird, Blue Road is a gripping story of two siblings that will do everything they can to save each other - Ziva wants to save her brother's life and Pesah wants to save his sister's heart. A brilliantly crafted, heartbreakingly beautiful story about love, death, friendship and faith. Ziva and Pesah will live forever in your heart

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got an ARC of this book through my library, and I absolutely loved it! The story is gorgeous, as are the main characters, and the use of religion and creatures unfamiliar to me at least, like the sheydim, was very cool. The ending is painful and beautiful and this story reminds me quite a bit in many ways of Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the publicity person for Sofiya Pasternack contacted me months ago with the information that she had a new book out, I immediately jumped at getting an advance review copy. I enjoyed and reviewed her first two books; how could a fan of fantasy not like books that combined dragons and Judaism? (To read those reviews, visit Off the Shelf: Music, dragons, alternate worlds and time travel and Off the Shelf: The adventure continues.) There are no dragons in her latest work, “Black Road, Blue Bird” (Versify), but there are some other wonderful creatures, including a demon, half-demon and a fascinating version of the Angel of Death.
See the rest of my review at https://www.thereportergroup.org/past...

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fantasy set in the little-known medieval Jewish empire of Khazaria shows the lengths we go to to save those we love.

[RSter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle Grade Jewish fantasy book that packs a punch. Anticipate sad feelings at the end.

[Tim Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two chapters of despair are quite sufficient. The action should start in chapter three.

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story grabbed me from the beginning and I ended up reading the book all in one day!

Recommended for fantasy/historical fiction fans in 3rd grade and up.