ZGG Book Review: Zombie in the Library

The 2012 zombie gift guide starts in one of my favorite places, the bookshelf. I'll start with a kid's book on zombies and have some other ideas for more mature readers below!

Zombie in the Library by Michael Dahl

While at the local library in the children's section, I spotted this title prominently displayed on the top of a shelf. Intrigued, I picked it up and brought it home.

The story follows Adam, a young boy who wants to go to the local library because he's seen the perfect book for his mother's birthday. The book is about old monster movies, a topic his mum loves. Adam tried to check it out but the worker told him it's not for loan. It will be on sale Friday night at their book sale. He is ready on Friday but a large electrical storm convinces his mum to stay home. Adam sneaks out to find the book. Meanwhile, the library is closed because of the storm and one of the custodians takes the boxes of books for the sale and mistakenly throws them in the dumpster outside. Then lightning strikes and the books form a zombie that stalks the streets and Adam. Will he get out alive? Will he get the book?

The story goes very quickly since the book is somewhere between a graphic novel and an easy reader. The story isn't too scary and has some interesting ideas. It also includes a glossary, discussion questions, and writing prompts. The book is part of the Return to the Library of Doom series, a sequel to the Library of Doom series. The Library is the largest collection of deadly and dangerous books. Sounds like a fun place, right?

The book is enjoyable if not outstanding.



Other zombie books to consider giving:

• The Reapers Are the Angels is a nice drama for older kids and adults, see my review here. If they've already read it, another novel set in the same world by the same author is Exit Kingdom.
• Night of the Living Trekkies answers the question of what would happen if a zombie outbreak took place at a Star Trek convention. I haven't read this one, but I have it on good authority that it is a fun, quick read. It's on my shelf waiting for me to read it someday. Hopefully someday soon.
• World War Z is coming out as a movie soon. It's the book that did the thing Y2K couldn't--it convinced my wife that we need to be prepared for the collapse of civilization!
• The Walking Dead comic book series is available in trade paperbacks, hard covers, and ridiculously large omnibus editions. Check out my review of where it all started here.