cover image Zombies! Evacuate the School!

Zombies! Evacuate the School!

Sara Holbrook, illus. by Karen Sandstrom, Boyds Mills/Wordsong, $16.95 (56p) ISBN 978-1-59078-820-2

Despite its title, this collection of school poems is not filled with supernatural horrors. The vast majority of Holbrook's verses cover the experiences of the average student, from summer's end ("Days, no longer long,/ whisper, Time to move along") to tests ("Frantic/ panic,/ sinking/ sorrow./ The science test/ is not tomorrow") and even daydreams ("Time to pack myself/ in a hands-folded smile,/ and dream/ my way outta here"). Plentiful cartoon illustrations and tips on writing poetry crowd the pages and distract somewhat from the poems themselves, but should provide some motivation and inspiration for aspiring writers. Ages 9–11. (Sept.)