Anya and the Nightingale

August 1, 2020

Gr 5-8-Anya's quest to save her father turns into an adventure that is both heartbreaking and enlightening, in this sequel to Anya and the Dragon. Thirteen-year-old Anya experiences flashbacks to her near-death battle and her father still hasn't returned, so she takes matters into her own hands. Best friends Ivan and dragon H�kon go along for the ride. Their plan to find Anya's dad is derailed by the mysterious Lena, who gives magical gifts and cryptic advice, including turning H�kon into a human (to his utter confusion) before sending them not to Anya's dad, but to Kiev, where they encounter the Nightingale, a being of immense magical power. They also meet Princess Vasilisa and her entourage, which includes Misha, the first Jewish person outside of her own family Anya has ever met. A dream leads Anya to find the Nightingale again, who turns out to be a Deaf forest elf named Alfhercht with a very good reason for fighting the Tsar. Anya agrees to help Alfhercht rescue his brother, despite the fact that it could keep her from saving her father. A real strength is the continued growth and development of the three main characters: Anya's PTSD and slowly growing confidence, H�kon's struggles with his new body and need for companionship, and Ivan's freely given heart, which eventually settles on Alfhercht. Supporting players are also written with similar care. Alfhercht's deafness is depicted without stigma or fanfare. Instances of modern language, like the odd "Wow!" can be a little jarring, but make the story more accessible, and the ending leaves the door open for at least one more sequel. VERDICT A fine, maybe even better, follow-up to the original. Recommended for juvenile fantasy collections.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles P.L.

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September 15, 2020
In the land that will one day become Russia, a Jewish girl, a dragon, and a fool go on a quest. Twelve-year-old Anya has friends in her village for the first time. After the terrifying events of Anya and the Dragon (2019), she discovered that the locals actually are happy to be friends with the village's only Jewish family. And of course, there are her closest friends: Ivan, the professional fool, and H�kon, the last surviving dragon. Ivan and H�kon accompany Anya on a dangerous journey across Kievan Rus', seeking her father, who was conscripted and sent down to the war near Istanbul. They'll meet epic heroes, a hideous monster, and even the czar before the journey is over. Can H�kon remain safe in a land where all the other dragons have been killed? The fair-skinned, fair-haired people who are native to the area are pagan or Christian, and it's mildly dangerous to be openly Jewish. Anya's family is from Western and Central Asia, yet in this fantasy world, her form of Judaism resembles Ashkenazi Judaism of several hundred years later. Other anachronisms are more charming: the casual acceptance of brown-skinned Ivan's bisexuality and the deaf character whose manual language resembles American Sign Language. Despite the hand-waving worldbuilding, the characters are delightful and fully fleshed out, with believable hopes and fears. A welcome Jewish protagonist for a draconic fantasy. (glossary) (Fantasy. 10-12)

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November 1, 2020
Grades 4-7 The unusual trio--Anya (a brave Jewess), Ivan (a traveling fool's son), and H�kon (a friendly water dragon)--that emerged from the adventurous pages of Anya and the Dragon (2019) have a new quest on their hands in this worthy sequel. Upon learning that her father was never released from his war service as was promised, Anya rashly decides to bring him home herself. She sets out with Ivan and H�kon at her side, but they've barely begun their journey when they are waylaid by a helpful spirit who transforms H�kon into a human (for his protection) and speeds the group to Kiev. There, a deal is struck with the tsar's daughter, Vasilisa: if the trio can capture the tree elf, known as the Nightingale, terrorizing travelers on one of the kingdom's roads, Vasilisa will make sure Anya's father is sent home. Once again, Pasternak pens a lively tale woven with magic and the Jewish faith, wherein friendships are tested both by circumstance and new romantic feelings, and threats are effectively neutralized through communication and compassion.

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