Zomburbia

In a thought-provoking YA debut, comic book writer Gallardo (100 Girls) looks at a world where the zombie apocalypse forced survivors to abandon the cities and move to the suburbs, where life goes on despite the omnipresent danger of the walking dead. In order to finance her escape from her small Oregon community and go to school where she can study how to cure the zombie plague, Courtney Hart supplements her fast food wages by selling the drug known as Vitamin Z, which lets users experience life as a zombie. Her life then takes some complicated turns when popular jock Brandon develops an interest in her. With his attention and her own drug-dealing alienating her from her friends, Courtney is caught off-guard when tragedies strike, forcing her to find the strength to fight zombies and own up to her mistakes. With its complicated and believable heroine, exploration of moral dilemmas, and disturbingly mundane vision of life among the undead, this action-and-gore-soaked adventure entertains on numerous levels. A sequel is planned. Ages 14%E2%80%93up. Agent: Ann Collette, Rees Literary Agency. (Aug.)