First published 2024
The plague has arrived in medieval England, and death stalks every village and castle. A young girl watches as the deadly disease sweeps through her world, claiming millions of lives across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Knights and peasants alike fall victim to the most devastating pandemic in human history. She must find ways to stay alive as the Black Death transforms her familiar landscape of cathedrals and castles into a realm of terror and loss. The girl faces impossible choices as illness spreads around her. Everyone she knows lives under the shadow of death. Yet even as grief overwhelms her community, she discovers unexpected sources of strength. Lauren Tarshis crafts a story that follows one person's journey through unimaginable circumstances. The girl learns that survival requires more than avoiding disease. She must hold onto hope when the world seems to be ending. Her story shows how courage can emerge from the darkest moments of human history.
Genres: survival, historical-fiction, adventure
Vibes: emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, impossible-choices
Setting: Europe, Asia, Africa
Period: medieval
144 pages · Paperback · Scholastic Inc.
Content warnings: death