Pale

When I started reading this on my Kindle, I thought it was a full length book. I didn't realize it was more of a novella. With only 72 pages, it was a very quick read.

I thought it was clever that the serum that brings the recently deceased back to life as "pales" was called the Lazarus Serum. I wonder how many younger readers would pick up on that reference? Since this was a shorter read, the plot moved very quickly. The main character Jed is catapulted into a situation he never wanted to be in. Because of his new circumstances, he has to find a way to survive and cope. He found himself faced with several moral decisions that younger readers could relate with.

Since I have spent most of my teaching career working with struggling and reluctant readers, I can safely say that this would have lot of appeal for that group of readers. My middle school boys would be able to relate to Jed easily. The underlying themes of acceptance and bullying would also appeal to today's youth.