Dugout: The Zombie Steals Home

Twins they may be, but Stacy and Gina just don’t get along. Their rivalry extends to the baseball field, where they pitch for separate Little League teams. While Gina embraces her family’s secret, witchcraft, Stacy refuses, frustrated by related rumors that swirl around her family. But then Gina casts a spell on Stacy and her team that backfires, summoning a zombie who may not be entirely evil but definitely throws them a curveball. After Stacy accidentally curses Gina, creating a ghost, the two must push past their mutual animosity and figure out how to get rid of both unwanted creatures before their grandmother comes home. Tales of sibling rivalry may not be new, but Morse (the Magic Pickle series) uses his graphic skills to elevate the familiar themes—artfully defined facial expressions are particularly notable and amusing. The supernatural elements and their resolution allow for the girls to realize their personal preferences, physical and magical alike, and the teammates’ running gags (a kid brother deeply obsessed with boots, for example) provide a steady supply of humor. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. (June)