The Forbidden Book
The Forbidden Book
Dybbuks.
Illegal printing.
A genderqueer lesbian with a knife.
Set against a backdrop of literary censorship and growing Jewish political consciousness, Sydney Taylor and Stonewall award-winning Sacha Lamb's sophomore novel is a soaring exploration of identity, survival, and ultimately, hope.
On the night before her wedding, 17-year-old Sorel leaps from a window and runs away from her life. To keep from being discovered, she takes on the male identity of Isser Jacobs — but it soon becomes clear that there is a real Isser Jacobs, and people want him dead. Her mistaken identity takes Sorel into the dark underworld of her small city in the Pale of Settlement, where smugglers, forgers, and wicked angels fight for control of the Jewish community. In order to make it out, Sorel must discover who Isser Jacobs really is — and who she wants to be.
Key Selling Points
Award-Winning & Critically Acclaimed Author: Sacha Lamb's first novel won a Printz Honor, a Stonewall Honor, and the Sydney Taylor award. It garnered 7 starred reviews! Angels was listed on the Locus Recommended Reading List and was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award.
Fast-Paced and Gripping: Sacha's writing is still gorgeous, but the suspense and tension in this new novel are prominent. The story moves quickly and packs a punch in just 250 pages.
Diverse Characters, Timeless Themes: Looking for {a historical novel} with strong LGBTQ+ and Jewish representation? Look no further! This story, featuring a powerful female lead, will resonate with fans of Katniss Everdeen and Tiffany Aching.
Gorgeous Collector's Edition: This book is a beauty to behold! It has a unique faux leather cover with gold foil lettering, custom end-papers, beautiful ombre coloring, and stunning illustrations by Will Staehle.
Indie Favorite: Sacha is a rising star, especially in the Northeast. They won a NEIBA Award for their debut novel and have built a loyal following across the region.
Quotes/Reviews
"Rooted in Jewish history and brimming with magic, The Forbidden Book is at once a heart-pounding mystery and a poignant tale of identity and found family. Whatever the opposite of forbidden is (mandatory?) that's what The Forbidden Book should be." - Isaac Blum, Morris Award Winning author of The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen
“Captivating… wonder-filled. Sorel is swept into a mystery involving stolen magic and a probable murder... Her growing affection for Adela is an electric undercurrent to her story of defiance, bravery, and unexpected friendships.” – Foreword
“Fascinating.” – Kirkus
[STAR] “Unique and absorbing…page-turning and attention-grabbing… There are many gripping twists and turns, along with dubious motivations, questions of faith and orthodoxy, friendship, identity (gender and otherwise)—and a stolen book that was ‘written by an angel, with its own hand.’” – Horn Book (starred)
[STAR] “A precise and deliberate storyteller… Lamb creates a historical fantasy world that is both deeply lived-in and immersive. This is a story that will undoubtedly possess more advanced readers from beginning to end.” – Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred)
