Itzik

Set in one of America's most dramatic decades, this high-stakes historical adventure follows a boy whose risky promise sends him on a perilous journey that threatens his survival and exposes cracks in the family he's desperate to protect - perfect for fans of I Survived and The War That Saved My Life.

When thirteen-year-old Itzik discovers that his father has lost his job and his family is on the brink of eviction, he makes a risky deal he believes will fix everything. That deal pulls him and his family across the stormy Atlantic, through the fever-ridden jungles of Panama, and into the lawless towns and mining camps of Gold Rush-era California, where danger is constant.

As they encounter obstacles and disasters, Itzik is forced to rely on his own courage and judgment while trying to hold his family together from the inside out. Along the way, he faces betrayal, loss, and the growing weight of the secret he's keeping - one that begins to strain the very bonds he's desperate to protect. With every step forward, Itzik must decide what loyalty really means, and whether being strong always means standing alone.

A gripping work of middle-grade historical fiction, Itzik blends high-stakes adventure with an emotionally rich story of family, responsibility, and identity, perfect for readers who love immersive journeys and characters who grow under pressure.