"A must-read for lost souls everywhere." -Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
With spellbinding verse prose, R.M. Romero channels the spirit of myth into a brilliantly original tale, inspired by her experiences restoring Jewish cemeteries in Eastern Europe.
Magic will burn you up.
Sent to stay with her aunt in Prague and 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 kind-hearted 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.
A love letter to Latin American and Jewish diasporas, based on the author's experiences working to maintain Jewish cemeteries in Eastern Europe. The Ghosts of Rose Hill is a tender and empowering read that you will devour in one sitting. Steeped in history and the experiences of immigrant families, especially Jewish families, each carefully chosen word of this magical verse novel casts a spell.
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
An Indie Next Pick!
A luminous and captivating tale
The Ghosts of Rose Hill is a strange, dark and magical tale with a captivating luminosity, about a teenaged American girl who spends the summer with a relative in Prague. At first, Ilana feels resentful at being uprooted from all the fun her friends are having back home, but then she makes the acquaintance of a troubled ghost - a boy her own age from the city's past. With Benjamin by her side, she discovers an enchanted story, and in the process comes to terms with her own biracial identity and learns the importance of following her own passions, despite parental pressure to the contrary.
R.M. Romero's verse prose is beautiful and engrossing, and this story had me hooked from the start. The historical and cultural content of the novel is fascinating, and the book will prove an inspiring read for both YA and adult readers with its themes of cultural identity, self-fulfilment and discovery.
Thanks to the author, R.M. Romero, publisher Peachtree / Peachtree Teen and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this magical title.
Sarah, 02/08/2023
