THE DEAD I KNOW by Scot Gardner tells the gripping, coming-of-age story of a young man haunted by death and dreams he can’t explain.
In this compelling psychological drama, Aaron gets a job working at a funeral home during the day. However at night, he’s haunted by recurring nightmares unrelated to his job. In between, he must deal with a family member’s dementia and life in poverty.
Originally published in Australia, teens are likely to find the unfamiliar funeral home setting intriguing and the array of characters fascinating. Gardner does a masterful job balancing the need for dignity and respect for the dead with just the right amount of dark humor.
This quick-read is likely to be popular with young adults who enjoy realistic fiction with a mix of morbid themes and dark humor.
For a teacher’s guide and information about the author, go to http://scotgardner.com.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers available March 3, 2015.
