“YOU ARE NOT HERE,” by Samantha Schutz, Push, $17.99 (young adult)
Annaleah and Brian share something special. Sure, their friendship is secret, but that doesn’t matter. They have each other. But when Brian suddenly dies, Annaleah is left alone. She’s on the outside. No one knows she has lost something, too. Written in poem rather than traditional novel format, this is a unique look at loss and the recovery process that stands out in its honesty from start to finish.
“CROSSING OVER,” by Anna Kendall, Viking, $17.99 (young adult)
Roger Kilbourne can “cross over” into the land of the dead and speak with its residents. Roger escapes his brutal uncle who exploited his talents and gets a job in the palace laundry, thinking he’ll be safe. Instead, there are worse dangers and soon Roger is using his gift as a way to get the life he dreams of — even if it means bringing the dead back to the land of the living.
