Croak by Gina Damico –PUBLIC ONLY

Damico, Gina Croak  320 pgs. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2012. $13.94.  Content: Language: G (6 S word swears); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13.

Lex is a wild teenager and when her behavior gets to be too much, she is sent off for the summer to her Uncle Mort’s farm. From the second he picks her up from the bus station, Lex knows that her Uncle is no simple farmer. In fact the whole town of Croak is not what she expects, they are a town of Grim Reapers. She becomes one of them, gets a hot partner, and learns to challenge her rebellious violence. When something goes wrong with the dead, Lex wants to help, but the cost might be higher than she thinks.

This book was very readable and an interesting concept. I didn't like that the author use’s touches of farce to counter the darkness, such as a nonsensical afterworld full of famous people acting stupid. I think students will be drawn to the cover, but I don’t think this book is the right fit for a school library –the swearing is mild, romance/sex is medium, and the violence is sky high.

HS –PUBLIC ONLY Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.