Description
Latent hostility against the Jews erupts in a blood lie when Daisy, a young Gentile girl, disappears in the woods.
It's September 22, 1928, Jack Pool's 16th birthday. It's the Sabbath. In the synagogue that morning, he feels restless, stuck in a remote little whistle-stop town in upstate New York. But he doesn't realize exactly how stuck he is until his little sister's Gentile friend Daisy gets lost in the woods and he's accused of killing her.
More about Shirley's research for The Blood Lie here, Barbara Bietz' blog Jewish Books for Children blog.
Booklist
“Vernick’s novel is a scathing indictment of anti-Semitism…it is an important book that reminds us of the imperative need to remember lest we find ourselves repeating the horrors of the past.”
– November 15, 2011
Lauren Myracle, author of Shine
“A powerful—and poignant—reminder that no person can live freely until all people can live freely.”
Association of Jewish Libraries
“The evolution of how an anti-Semitic lie spread throughout this community is convincingly portrayed in this story…[and] the troubling issues that the book raises are sure to give readers a sense of the fragility of Jewish-Christian relations and the challenges posed by ignorance. Highly recommended for all libraries.”
– September 22, 2011
Kirkus Reviews
“Effectively mines layers of ignorance, fear, intolerance and manipulation.”
– August 1, 2011
Publishers Weekly
“…tackles the weighty issue of anti-Semitism with uncompromising clarity.”
– November 14, 2011 Visit Website
Midwest Book Review
“The Blood Lie is a riveting and hard to put down novel of small town life and the viciousness that lies in some people.”
– December 27, 2011
Shooting Stars Mag
“…a short story that makes an impact.”
– January 1, 2012 Visit Website
Hadassah Magazine
“Vernick has rescued a troubling historical incident and vested it with contemporary relevance.”
– December 15, 2011
The Canadian Jewish News
“The Blood Lie is the first novel of its kind to be published in the United States.”
– January 19, 2012