Everwild (The Skinjacker Trilogy)
Grade 8 Up—Some young people, when they die, lose their way on the path toward the light and end up in Everlost, a sort of purgatory between life and final peace that the light brings.Everwildcontinues the story of Allie the Outcast; Nick the Chocolate Ogre; and Mikey McGill and his sister, Mary Hightower, that began inEverlost(S & S, 2006). Nick continues to oppose Mary, who believes that her destiny is to keep all children in Everlost forever, preferably in her care. One of his new allies is Zin, a girl who can "rip" things from the living world into Everlost. Allie meets other "skinjackers," Afterlights who can possess people in the world of the living, and learns from them matters both exhilarating and horrifying. Mikey gains more control over his power to change himself and even learns to extend his ability to others. Shusterman demonstrates by Mary's choices of allies and goals just how terrifying the righteous can be. As with any good book two of a trilogy, readers are treated to unexpected developments and a blockbuster cliff-hanger to hook them in for the concluding episode. In this moment in popular culture when vampires are everywhere and zombies are shuffling to the fore, Shusterman has created a new way to be undead. A perfect read for the spooky time of the year—and without any loss of vital fluids.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.