Night Letter

This fast-paced adventure is filled with tension, excitement, and a realistic sense of history. The main characters are well drawn, and both Anahita's independent spirit and her determination will resonate with readers. Night Letter is imbued with details featuring the rich and exotic rituals, dress, poetry, and customs of early-20th-century Persian and Uzbek cultures and quotes from poets such as Rumi and Omar Khayyam. Numerous Farsi words-all explained in context and/or in the glossary-add authenticity to the tale. The novel includes a discussion guide and notes about slavery, past and present, coupled with websites indicating ways in which readers can help victims of human trafficking. Anahita's epic love story captures the mystique of long-ago Persia while providing a framework for exploring issues of social justice still relevant in our own times. --Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, School Library Journal, Nominated for the American Library Association Best Fiction List YA 2014