Zom-B

Gr 7–10—In this compelling tale (Little, Brown, 2012), Shan tackles bullying, abuse, racism, and zombies. B is the son of an abusive father and a clueless mother living in London. He's also street-smart, tough, and a bit of a thug. His father's prejudice bothers him, but he finds it easier and safer to go along with his ideas rather than stand up against them. Together with his dad, B makes fun of zombie videos on the news until they discover that the zombies are real, and soon B must choose between survival or doing what's right. Emma Galvin does a fine job with the many accents and cultures included in this gory horror story, setting the moody tone of the violence, as well as capturing B's swagger and angst. Listeners will be captivated but might miss the symbolism of the zombies and the racists. This first title in a projected 12-volume series, is an excellent addition to library collections for teens.—Sandi Jones, Augusta High School, AR