School of the Dead

Reviewed by: Deidre Walsh - Goodall Library, Sanford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 16, 2016

Review

Avi is a prolific and excellent writer and storyteller. And he does not disappoint here. Toy and his uncle Charles are not only related. They are also very close and good friends. Uncle Charlie has always been a bit odd. He talks to ghosts for starters. Then Uncle Charlie dies and Tony is heartbroken. It was his uncle's wish that Tony attend his own alma mater, Penda School. So not only does Tony have to deal with the death of his uncle. He also has to start at a new school. Things start to get weird fast. Tony starts seeing and talking to Uncle Charlie's ghost. A student has disappeared. The school itself is full of dark rumors and an eerie atmosphere. The feel of death is everywhere. Is Tony safe? This is a well-crafted, spine-tingling story. There is mystery, suspense, scariness, ghosts galore. But within all of that, there is also a story of friendship, family and loss. Give to fans of Eva Ibbotson, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Dan Poblocki's Ghost of Graylock. Purchase where Avi's books and scary stories are popular.

Overall Book Score: very good