As the world careens toward a devastating conflict, Hanni Kohn knows she must send her 12-year-old daughter away to save her from the Nazi regime. Her desperation leads her to Ettie, the daughter of a rabbi, whose years spent eavesdropping on her father enables her to create a mystical Jewish creature, a rare and unusual golem, who is sworn to protect Hanni's daughter Lea. In this National Jewish Book Award winner by the author of The Dovekeepers and Practical Magic, this being known as Ava is brought to life, and now she and Lea and Ettie become eternally entwined.

"An exceptionally voiced tale of deepest love and loss.... One of [Hoffman's] finest."—Booklist (starred review)