Undead

Gr 9 Up—In this engaging, fast-paced, story, a school ski trip goes horribly wrong when several of the students end up trapped on the bus and attacked by zombies who were their classmates and teachers before they had stepped off the bus moments earlier. Bobbie and her few surviving classmates fight off the zombies and drive the bus away, arriving at a seemingly uninhabited castle. They break in and think they will be safe there until they can get help. But the occupants return, and it turns out they are connected to the zombie epidemic. Bobbie and friends figure out what caused people to turn, learn there may be an antidote, find it in a lab in the castle, and escape with it—but not before having to fight off more zombies, outwit the lab workers, and deal with a dreadful revelation involving Bobbie's family. Narrated by Amy Schindler, who brings the characters to life, the dialogue, sarcasm, snarkiness, and humor are spot-on for teens. Some Briticisms may give listeners pause, but they are easily understood in context. There is some mild but situationally appropriate language. The ending leaves things wide open for a sequel.—Cynthia Ortiz, Hackensack High School, NJ