Black Bird, Blue Road
Versify, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2022
Grades 5-8
Fantasy/Adventure/Historical
Ziva and her beloved brother Pesah are turning thirteen in the Eastern European mountains of long ago. This is an important birthday in their Jewish community, as they are to be introduced into adulthood. Only, Pesah is not welcomed to the celebration because he suffers from advanced Leprosy. Ziva does not understand why her twin is ostracized and when she hears that he is to be sent to a leper colony, decides to take action. She is determined to find a cure and the siblings have a vague idea of where they can discover such a thing. They escape during the darkness of night and take to the road and it isn't long before they are attacked by robbers. After freeing the magical boy held prisoner by the scoundrels, Ziva and Pesah are owed a favor by this boy, who turns out to be half-demon. The three companions continue the journey, eventually discovering that no such cure exists. Hope lays in the mythical city of Luz, where all inhabitants are promised immortality. It is Ziva's plan to find Luz, cure Pesah, and leave the city to live life happily ever after. Of course, nothing is simple and immortality comes with a price. What decisions the young people make will both surprise readers and force them to consider their own mortality.
Black Bird, Blue Road is a relatively new book by a celebrated author. It has been very favorably reviewed and is on many possible Newbery contender lists. That said, it hasn't gone out at my library since it was added several months ago and does not seem to attract young readers. The story is interesting. Characters with diseases have long been compelling to kids and leprosy is a certain draw. There is an adventurous journey that, in my opinion, will keep readers turning pages and the overall suspense of whether or not Pesah will be saved. I think that somehow the faraway setting and time period does not help it and for some reason young readers aren't picking it up. The philosophy behind the plot will get thoughtful kids thinking, but may go over the head of the average young person and at times the storyline gets a bit "talky". That said, it is a beautiful story that explores Jewish mythology by an own-voices author with a lot to say. It would be a great choice for book group, especially sparing conversations about death and immortality. I also love that there is a feminist message, as Ziva is the strongest among the young people and longs to be a judge in a society where women simply serve as wives and mothers. A beautifully written story with an unusual setting and much to say that will, unfortunately, not be picked up without some handselling.
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