Black Bird, Blue Road

In this historical fantasy laced with Jewish lore, 12-year-old Ziva is determined to find a cure for her beloved and brilliant twin brother Pesah's leprosy. After he has a vision of the Angel of Death, she decides they must leave home and go in search of a cure. Joined by a half-sheyd (demon) teenager, they survive various challenges and threats but eventually Ziva finds herself bargaining with the Angel of Death. Only one sibling is allowed to survive, and they both desperately want to sacrifice themselves for the other. The ending is poignant, but the engaging characters, tenderly evoked emotions, and non-stop action make this a memorable and ultimately uplifting story for older readers.