Sent to stay with her aunt in Prague to witness the humble life of an artist, Ilana Lopez—a biracial Jewish girl—finds herself torn between her dream of becoming a violinist and her immigrant parents’ desire for her to pursue a more stable career.
When she discovers a forgotten Jewish cemetery behind her aunt’s cottage, she meets the ghost of a kindhearted boy named Benjamin, who died over a century ago. As Ilana restores Benjamin’s grave, he introduces her to the enchanted side of Prague, where ghosts walk the streets and their kisses have warmth.
But Benjamin isn’t the only one interested in Ilana. Rudolph Wassermann, a man with no shadow, has become fascinated with her and the music she plays. He offers to share his magic, so Ilana can be with Benjamin and pursue her passion for violin. But after Ilana discovers the truth about Wassermann and how Benjamin became bound to the city, she resolves to save the boy she loves, even if it means losing him—forever.
(Content warnings: Antisemitism, child abuse, mentions of child death, kidnapping)
AWARDS & PRAISE
☆ 2023 Jewish National Book Award Finalist ☆
☆ 2023 Sydney Taylor Notable Book ☆
☆ May/June 2022 Kids’ Indie Next Selection ☆
☆ Publishers Weekly Summer Reads 2022 ☆
☆ School Library Journal Best YA Book of 2022 ☆
☆ Kirkus Best YA Book of 2022 ☆
☆ Buzzfeed Best YA Book of 2022 ☆
☆ Reactor Notable 2022 YA SFF ☆
☆ 2022 Nerdy Book Award Winner ☆
☆ 2023 Rise: A Feminist Book Project Honoree ☆
☆ 2023 Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Books ☆
