Loss

Gr 7 Up—Fifteen-year-old Billy Ballard is the kid whom every bully in school zeroes in on. At home, he is left in charge of his grandfather, who has Alzheimer's, while his mother works a second job to support the family. The only joy in Billy's world comes from his longtime friendship with Marianne. He would like to move her into girlfriend status, but he's too chicken to take the initiative. One night while he's keeping his grandfather company, Death comes to Billy's door. The teen assumes Death has come for Gramps, but it has come for him. Death wants Billy's help. It seems that long ago Billy was tricked into making a deal with Pestilence, the White Rider of the Apocalypse, and Death has come to hold him to it. Billy must convince the White Rider, who has turned insane, not to unleash a plague that will wipe out the entire world. To do this, he must travel through time and find a way to bring the White Rider back to sanity and to prevent the end of the world. Kessler blends fantasy, history, humor, and hard reality into a gripping tale. Although it is part of a series, it stands on its own as it addresses the issues of bullying, having a relative with Alzheimer's, and finding the power within yourself to do what is right.—Kathy Kirchoefer, Prince Georges County Memorial Library System, New Carrollton, MD