Chasers

Gr 7–9—Jesse, 16, is representing Australia in the UN Youth Ambassadors program. He and three friends are riding the subway when a huge fireball hits. Upon awakening, Jesse discovers that everyone has been killed except for him and his companions. They quickly make their way to the street and find the city in ruins. There are other survivors, but something is wrong with them. They have a strange look in their eyes and are drinking out of puddles-in fact, they drink anything, including blood. Pursued by these zombielike people, whom they dub Chasers, Jesse and his friends run to 30 Rock to take shelter, get a good view of the Big Apple, and decide what to do next. The first in a series, this book does not stand out from the rest of the genre but will keep zombie fans turning pages. Unfortunately the most interesting part of the novel comes from a twist at the end that will make readers reflect on Jesse's tale in a new light. Consider only where teens have an insatiable appetite for zombie tales.—Erik Carlson, White Plains Public Library, NY