A brilliantly original tale for fans of magical realism about embracing your power, facing your monsters, and loving deeply enough to transcend a century. Inspired by the author's experiences restoring Jewish cemeteries in Eastern Europe, this story follows Ilana Lopez, a biracial Jewish girl sent to stay with her aunt in Prague. Torn between her dream of becoming a violinist and her immigrant parents’ desire for stability, Ilana discovers a forgotten Jewish cemetery behind her aunt’s cottage. There, she meets Benjamin, the ghost of a kindhearted boy who died over a century ago. As she restores his grave, he introduces her to the enchanted side of Prague, where ghosts walk the streets. However, Rudolph Wassermann, a man with no shadow, becomes fascinated with Ilana and offers her magic to pursue her passion and be with Benjamin. But when Ilana uncovers the truth about Wassermann and Benjamin's bond to the city, she must choose between saving the boy she loves and losing him forever. This tender and empowering read, steeped in history and the experiences of immigrant families, especially Jewish ones, casts a spell with each carefully-chosen word. A Sydney Taylor Notable Book and a Kirkus Best YA Book of the Year.
