{"product_id":"neshama-isbn-9781536236613","title":"Neshama","description":"\u003cb\u003eAn Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Award Winner!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A mesmerizing meditation on family, forgiveness, and the freedom to be found in embracing one’s truest self.\" —\u003ci\u003eBooklist \u003c\/i\u003e(starred review)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA bullied girl who communicates with ghosts finds her inner strength in this haunting novel in verse that will resonate with anyone who has felt themselves to be different.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnna sees ghosts. The spirits of her ancestors call to her from the shadows, and no matter where she is, Anna always answers. Kids in her middle school tease her. Teachers and parents are worried by her strange behavior. The only one who seems to understand is Anna’s beloved grandmother, Bubbe, who has always treasured Anna’s shayna neshama, her beautiful soul. Spending Shabbos with Bubbe is the only thing that gives Anna the sense of love and belonging that she needs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut when a ghost named Ruthie appears at Bubbe’s house by the sea, Anna begins to uncover long-hidden secrets that reveal the mystery of her family’s troubled past. As Anna and Ruthie get closer, Anna must decide for herself whether being connected to a restless ghost is worth the risk. When it becomes clear that Bubbe’s life is in danger, Anna must face the horrible truth: She alone has the ability to save her family and heal the wounds that follow them from one generation to the next.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNational Book Award long-listed author Marcella Pixley brings her Jewish faith and her acclaimed sense of lyricism to this powerful story of bravery, forgiveness, and healing.The wonderful writing is spare and striking, immediately establishing an occasionally eerie, though never truly frightening, atmosphere, and the words flow effortlessly. The story allows plenty of space for thoughtful reflection on grief, antisemitism, and bullying while also conjuring cozy scenes of familial love and believably fostering understanding between opposing parties. A mesmerizing meditation on family, forgiveness, and the freedom to be found in embracing one’s truest self.\u003cbr\u003e—Booklist (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn eerie, melancholic story of family trauma and healing.\u003cbr\u003e—Kirkus Reviews\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn verse that alternates nimbly between Anna’s thoughtful first-person narrative and Ruthie’s fierce interjections, Pixley (Trowbridge Road) illustrates concrete earthly experiences alongside a more diaphanous ghostly world.\u003cbr\u003e—Publishers Weekly\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe accessible verse is rich with imagery, with feelings evocatively described, and warm scenes at Bubbe’s house mixing with Anna’s awareness of ghosts. An atmospheric ghost story for character-driven readers.\u003cbr\u003e—The Horn Book\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA sensitive, affirming novel-in-verse, Neshama celebrates the life-giving power of children being able to embrace their unique gifts.\u003cbr\u003e—Foreword Reviews\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis novel in verse is a spiritual exploration of how the past can have lasting effects through generations of a family. It is a lesson in being oneself even when no one, not even those meant to love you, accept you for who you are.Anna is a beautiful, strong, and inspiring character. . . . A unique ghost story.\u003cbr\u003e—School Library Journal\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery poem, every word, in Marcella Pixley’s novel in verse, NESHAMA, is hauntingly beautiful. This is the middle grade novel that I needed as a child. Readers will believe in ghosts and the power of prayer and also what it means to forgive and to accept yourself. It is as if Neshama set an extra seat at Bubbe’s Shabbat table for the reader where they can taste the soup, the challah, and hear the whispers of the ghosts of her ancestors.\u003cbr\u003e—Judith Magazine\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book will steal your heart and open your soul. \u003ci\u003eNeshama\u003c\/i\u003e by Marcella Pixley is a beautiful homage to the lessons of our ancestors, the power of prayer, the transcendence of forgiveness, and the freedom that comes from being uniquely you. I loved every word!\u003cbr\u003e—Elly Swartz, author of Same Page\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA beautiful, quiet storm of a story that explores grief, forgiveness, and finding courage for the present through the past.\u003cbr\u003e—Randy Ribay, author of Everything We Never Had\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarcella Pixley’s deftly crafted novel in verse is a thought-provoking page-turner. A perfect read-aloud and book club selection!\u003cbr\u003e—John Schu, librarian and author of the New York Times best-selling Louder Than Hunger\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn haunting, heart-stirring verse, \u003ci\u003eNeshama\u003c\/i\u003e draws you in to a deep and unexpected world of courage, forgiveness, and healing. It will grip you from the very first line.\u003cbr\u003e—Chris Baron, author of the Sydney Taylor Notable Book The Magical Imperfect\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA stunning verse novel that captures the raw ache of being an outsider and the courage it takes to find one’s voice. I adored and applauded Anna as she became increasingly clearheaded and stronghearted! Tender, mesmerizing, and truly uplifting—a testament to the beauty of second chances.\u003cbr\u003e—Jennifer Richard Jacobson, author of Small as an Elephant\u003cb\u003eMarcella Pixley \u003c\/b\u003eis the award-winning author of four novels for middle-grade and young adult readers, including, most recently, \u003ci\u003eTrowbridge Road\u003c\/i\u003e, which was long-listed for the National Book Award, received a Massachusetts Book Award Honor, was nominated for Vermont’s Golden Dome Award, and was a Junior Library Guild Selection. It was also named a best book of 2020 by \u003ci\u003eShelf Awareness\u003c\/i\u003e, Reading Group Choices, and A Mighty Girl. Marcella Pixley teaches eighth-grade language arts in Massachusetts, where she lives with her family.\u003cb\u003eBeing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAnna\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ex\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBeing Anna Means\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrowing my hair long\u003cbr\u003eand dyeing the tips\u003cbr\u003euniverse blue,\u003cbr\u003edrawing spiderwebs\u003cbr\u003eon the tops of my hands\u003cbr\u003eand wearing combat boots\u003cbr\u003eeven though no other kid\u003cbr\u003ein Ms. Garland’s\u003cbr\u003esixth-grade class\u003cbr\u003elooks anything like that.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt means writing\u003cbr\u003eghost poems\u003cbr\u003ein my math notebook,\u003cbr\u003ewords curling across\u003cbr\u003etiny graph-paper squares\u003cbr\u003elike silvery smoke.\u003cbr\u003eIt means inviting spirits\u003cbr\u003eto speak through my hands,\u003cbr\u003ewhispering\u003cbr\u003ein the secret places\u003cbr\u003ebetween now and never again.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ex\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBeing Anna Means\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSeeing ghosts\u003cbr\u003ewherever I look,\u003cbr\u003echildren\u003cbr\u003ecenturies old,\u003cbr\u003etheir quick footsteps\u003cbr\u003eskittering\u003cbr\u003elike autumn leaves,\u003cbr\u003ea cold hand\u003cbr\u003eon my shoulder,\u003cbr\u003ea voice in my ear\u003cbr\u003einsistent as wind.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ex\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMiss Mary Mack\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey sit beside me\u003cbr\u003ein the cafeteria,\u003cbr\u003eghosts with pale braids,\u003cbr\u003efaces the color of ash.\u003cbr\u003eSometimes\u003cbr\u003eall they want\u003cbr\u003eis to tell me stories\u003cbr\u003eof how they passed away.\u003cbr\u003eOther times\u003cbr\u003ethey want to play\u003cbr\u003ethe games they used to love.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI know I look strange\u003cbr\u003ehand-clapping the air.\u003cbr\u003eNo one would believe\u003cbr\u003eI am singing rhymes\u003cbr\u003ewith a ghost\u003cbr\u003ewho was in sixth grade\u003cbr\u003ea century ago\u003cbr\u003ewhen the school was new\u003cbr\u003eand no one roamed\u003cbr\u003ethe corridors\u003cbr\u003eexcept living, breathing children.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ex\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRing-Around-the-Rosy\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA pocket full of posies\u003cbr\u003eAshes, ashes, we all fall down.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe spin like ballerinas,\u003cbr\u003eletting our circles take us\u003cbr\u003earound the world and back,\u003cbr\u003ebreathless.\u003cbr\u003eI twirl and laugh out loud\u003cbr\u003eeven though I know\u003cbr\u003eto the world it looks\u003cbr\u003elike I am dancing by myself.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ex\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTeacher’s Note\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDear Mr. and Mrs. Fleischman,\u003cbr\u003eI am reaching out about Anna.\u003cbr\u003eShe spends most of her day\u003cbr\u003epretending to play with ghosts.\u003cbr\u003eIt scares the other children.\u003cbr\u003eWould you come in to speak with me?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOh, Anna, Mom sighs,\u003cbr\u003ewhat are we going to do with you?\u003cbr\u003eAt the dinner table\u003cbr\u003emy little sister\u003cbr\u003ekicks her legs and sings.\u003cbr\u003eEveryone loves\u003cbr\u003ehow hard she tries\u003cbr\u003eto be happy and good.\u003cbr\u003eMama, look,\u003cbr\u003esays Evie, grinning\u003cbr\u003elike a jack-o’-lantern.\u003cbr\u003eI lost a tooth today.\u003cbr\u003eI am growing up so fast.\u003cbr\u003eIt’s true, little sister.\u003cbr\u003eI just hope\u003cbr\u003eyou don’t grow up like me.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ex\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDancing with Ghosts\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeing Anna means\u003cbr\u003enever getting invited\u003cbr\u003eto sleepovers\u003cbr\u003eexcept once\u003cbr\u003ein fourth grade,\u003cbr\u003ewhen Eden Antonio\u003cbr\u003esaid I could come\u003cbr\u003ebecause our mothers\u003cbr\u003eare on the PTO together\u003cbr\u003ebut it didn’t mean\u003cbr\u003eshe liked me.\u003cbr\u003eI hid in my sleeping bag\u003cbr\u003ewhile Eden’s friends\u003cbr\u003ebraided hair, told secrets,\u003cbr\u003eand laughed behind cruel hands.\u003cbr\u003eI didn’t come out\u003cbr\u003euntil the last one fell asleep.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI rose in the moonlit night\u003cbr\u003eand tiptoed\u003cbr\u003eto the open window.\u003cbr\u003eNo one saw it but me:\u003cbr\u003ethe whole street\u003cbr\u003ewas filled with spirits.\u003cbr\u003eAnd then\u003cbr\u003eI remember\u003cbr\u003eone ragged little ghost\u003cbr\u003eholding out her hand.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ex\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAwakenings\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe next morning\u003cbr\u003ethey found me\u003cbr\u003eoutside the window\u003cbr\u003ehugging my knees\u003cbr\u003ewith oak leaves in my hair.\u003cbr\u003eWhat on earth\u003cbr\u003eare you doing out here?\u003cbr\u003eWhat’s wrong with you?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat could I have said?\u003cbr\u003eThat I would rather\u003cbr\u003etwirl in moonlight\u003cbr\u003eand fall asleep\u003cbr\u003ein the dewy clover\u003cbr\u003eand never be invited\u003cbr\u003eto a sleepover again\u003cbr\u003ethan pretend\u003cbr\u003efor one more moment\u003cbr\u003ethat I am\u003cbr\u003ethe same kind of girl\u003cbr\u003eas them?","brand":"Candlewick","offers":[{"title":"Default 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