Demon Derby

Gr 8 Up—Casey is not your average high schooler. For one thing, she's a freerunner and ninjutsu expert. She also had been homeschooled the past year due to her hospitalization for leukemia. Even before she survived cancer, Casey went through life as a fighter, and is now battling to earn a spot on her local roller derby team after two of the members died in a mysterious car accident. After a freak encounter with a stranger in an alley, the teen is introduced to the world of demon-hunters by the hunky derby-team manager, Michael. Together they work to rid their community of demons before their souls get captured. A fun read, especially when the pace picks up after Michael's identity is revealed. Casey is a well-developed heroine who calls herself "the girl who picks fights with death." An obvious plot twist and some disconnect between actions and responses make for a predictable and choppy story line. Overall, the narrative is entertaining with elements of the paranormal and a cast of unique supporting characters.—Stephanie DeVincentis, Downers Grove North High School, IL