Never Slow Dance with a Zombie
Grade 8–10—Even though Margot Jean Johnson, 16, wrote a manifesto detailing her plans for success after middle school, none of her goals has come to fruition. All she has is the scorn of Amanda, head cheerleader at Salesian high; the love of Baron, total geek; and the loyalty of Sybil, her best friend. She has her eye on popular Dirk, but everyone knows that he'd never go out with her. But when almost everyone at school suddenly becomes a zombie, Margot gets her chance, and, with the blessing of the principal, she takes over. She becomes head of the yearbook and prom committees and head cheerleader. She even tries to train Dirk to be the perfect zombie boyfriend, using raw meat to keep him satiated. However, it soon becomes clear that someone at school has an ulterior motive and is responsible for the zombie infestation. Now that Margot has everything she's always wanted, will she give it all up to solve this mystery? Loyalties are tested and new relationships are formed as the truth is uncovered. This tale has some major flaws. Margot's insistence on running the school no matter what makes her unlikable and the principal's demand to proceed as if nothing were wrong strains belief. The moral of the story is hammered home as well, leading to a tedious read.—Laura Amos, Newport News Public Library, VACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.