School of the Dead: A Great Fall and Halloween Read for Kids

by Avi

From Newbery Medalist Avi comes the spine-tingling story of Tony Gilbert, who must solve a mystery surrounding the ghost of his uncle Charlie.

For most of Tony Gilbert’s life, he always thought of his uncle as “Weird Uncle Charlie.” That is, until Uncle Charlie moves in with Tony and his family. He’s still odd, of course—talking about spirits and other supernatural stuff—but Uncle Charlie and Tony become fast friends. Between eating ice cream and going to the movies, Tony is having more fun with Uncle Charlie than he ever could have imagined.

So when Uncle Charlie dies suddenly, Tony is devastated. So sad, in fact, he starts seeing Uncle Charlie everywhere! Tony recently transferred to the Penda School, where Uncle Charlie went as a kid. The school is eerie enough on its own without his uncle’s ghost making it worse. On top of which, rumors have been circulating about a student who went missing shortly before Tony arrived. Could that and Uncle Charlie’s ghost be related?

Full of twists and turns that get spookier by the chapter, School of the Dead is a fast-paced mystery that Avi’s fans will devour!

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Fantasy, Horror, Ghosts, Paranormal, Fiction

276 pages, Hardcover

First published June 21, 2016

About the author

Avi is a pen name for Edward Irving Wortis, but he says, "The fact is, Avi is the only name I use." Born in 1937, Avi has created many fictional favorites such as The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Nothing but the Truth, and the Crispin series. His work is popular among readers young and old.

Reviews

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 2 out of 5]

RATING: 2 STARS
2016; HarperCollins
(Review Not on Blog)

I was really looking forward to finally reading a book by Avi, but I may have chosen the wrong book. I like fantasy and horror and was eager to read this novel after taking a look at the synopsis. I enjoyed the set up of the book but the story fell apart, for me anyway, was about when Tony is making new friends. I felt a bit let down with the way the story progressed. I will have to try another Avi book.

***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Cute and clever but definitely aimed at a middle-reader audience. For that age, I'd call this at least a 4-star book. For adults, it's charming but a bit thin.

[Horror Sickness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tony’s uncle Charlie had to move in with them and even though he was skeptical at first, they ended up bonding and making plans together.

Unfortunately uncle Charlie died and left Tony quite devastated. One day, Tony believes he can see uncle Charlie and thinks it is just a figment of his imagination as he is trying to process his grief. In reality he is seeing his uncle’s ghost.

After Uncle Charlie's death, Tony's family moves to San Francisco. When Tony attends the Penda School, he sees a ghost in the window which leads him to discover other weird happenings at the school.

While I liked the premise and was excited to see what adventures our main character will have in this school, the book started to ramble and started to tell the reader the same thing over and over again.

For me it was missing an emotional layer that would have allowed me to care more for the story and the characters and everything that was going on. I know this is a middle grade book but it can still have a lot of depth and meaning.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avi's newest is engaging, truly mysterious, and kind of terrifying. I always love characters in children's books who are just KIDS, nothing fancy, and Tony - admittedly braver than most - is just a normal everyday kid in extraordinary circumstances. I saw the twist coming but I imagine the target audience will be properly surprised - and a little grossed out - but even though I was expecting it Avi does a great job of still keeping the reader on your toes regarding who to trust. I must say the ending sort of just... Happens. Needs a little more payoff. And why is this book about starting a new school and Halloween releasing in June? But it should be a strong addition to our middle grade arsenal.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have always admired this author and his work...but this story was weird and truly horrible for me. I hated the whole premise of the story and especially that it was built around a relationship that a close family member builds with the juvenile main character that ends up being a complete lie. I thought it was dark and weird and nothing resonated with me. I hated how everyone in the book is using everyone else in a negative way, that the main character's parents are portrayed as being incapable of emotionally supporting him, and that they plot is so dark. Skip it!

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Noir mysteries and ghost stories have a special place in Avi's heart, so I wasn't surprised to see School of the Dead on bookstore shelves in 2016. Tony Gilbert is in sixth grade when his great-uncle Charlie moves in with the family. He hardly knows the old man, but Charlie turns into the fun uncle Tony never knew he wanted, playing video games and paying attention to Tony as no one does. Tony knows Charlie is dying, but it hurts when he passes away. Charlie had expressed hope the Gilberts might move to San Francisco before autumn so Tony can enroll in the Penda School, which Charlie attended as a kid, and Tony is surprised now when his parents agree to the move. Maybe he'll feel closer to Charlie.

"Think about memory. You can't slice a memory like a loaf of bread, but you can smell it, taste it, and see it, right? Even though memories can't talk to you, memories are real."

—School of the Dead, P. 18

Penda School is a private facility with a strict school head, Ms. Foxton, but that's not what grabs Tony's attention; it's the fact that Uncle Charlie materializes in his vicinity again and again. No one else sees him, and he never speaks. Is he a fragment of Tony's grieving subconscious, or a ghost? Tony also sees a spectral blonde boy who's the spitting image of the long-deceased son of Reese Penda, who founded the school in the 1800s. "Penda Boy" is a legend at the school; every once in a while a student claims he can see the boy's ghost, but why would he appear to Tony? The vibe at Penda School feels wrong, but Tony tries to get along.

There are quirky kids in Tony's class. Jessica Richards, Mac Tarkington, and a redhead named Barney run the Weird History Club. Jessica, one of the prettiest girls in school, clues Tony in as to why the club exists: kids have disappeared at Penda School for decades, and the faculty forbids discussion of it. The Weird History Club defies those orders, but Tony isn't sure he wants to participate. Others warm that Jessica is bad news; even Ms. Foxton cautions against befriending her. Jessica tells Tony the reason he was admitted into the school was to replace a kid named Austin who vanished; she believes Penda Boy was responsible and is now after Tony. Is Jessica being truthful? How does Uncle Charlie, who continues silently appearing to Tony, fit into the mystery? Someone wants Tony to be the next missing kid at Penda School, and unless he can get straight his friends from his foes, Tony's fate is already sealed.

"The distinction between past, present, and future is only an illusion."

—Albert Einstein, quoted in School of the Dead

In some of Avi's books the writing is awkward, stilted. That isn't the case for School of the Dead; it feels light, fresh, and pulled me through dozens of pages at a time without needing a pause. The main thing it lacks is an emotional kick; there's not much to linger in the reader's heart, to draw the mind back to the story months or years after reading it. School of the Dead is entertaining, but I wish there were more gravity or thematic depth. I rate it two and a half stars, and I never regret engaging with Avi's work.

[the vampire damien · Rating 4 out of 5]

jak mi sie dobrze sluchalo tej ksiazki!! idealna na spooky season, jesli lubicie middle grade i opowiesci o duchach

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tony Gilbert's strange great Uncle Charlie moves in with the Gilbert family and Charlie develops a strong attachment to him. Uncle Charlie talks constantly about ghosts and spirits and the Penda School in San Francisco that he attended as a child. After Uncle Charlie's death, Tony's family moves to San Francisco. When Tony attends the Penda School, he sees a ghost in the window which leads him to discover other weird happenings at the school. Tony, his classmates, the faculty, and his parents are fully developed as characters. The pacing of this ghost story builds throughout and makes for a marvelous read. Highly recommended.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I expected more from Avi. The storyline is intriguing (plenty of ghosts and a mysterious school) but the execution and writing aren't great, especially coming from a Newberry award winning author. I listened to the audiobook while exercising and started making myself stop and do 20 squats every time the narrator read the words "there was fear in her eyes." I had a sore butt by the end--someone had fear in their eyes every 30 seconds or so.

[Grace W · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had it's moments and at times I found it interesting enough. The main problem with it is the length. The book rambles as the reader is told the same thing multiple times. The lead character takes a long time to actually make choices or act in any real way. Also the lesson of the story seems to be "stay away from the weird goth kids to hang out with the more popular kids" which is a weird thing to tell children.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like Avi just phoned this one in. The characters are so flat and their reactions to frightening situations is lame and unbelievable. Just didn't like it.

[C.J. Milbrandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony liked it when his Uncle Charlie moved in with them. They bonded. They made plans. Uncle Charlie arranged things so Tony could attend his old school, and his parents go along with it, moving across the country. But Uncle Charlie dies ... and Tony is still seeing him everywhere ... there there are rumors of ghosts at his new school.

Paranormal suspense in the style of classic gothic horror. Just creepy enough. A well-told tale. Recommended!

[yueyea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably the most underrated book I'll read this year. If you frankensteined Coraline with Monster House you'd get this story, and I'm not complaining. It also did that thing I like where it changes genre halfway. From this slow, atmospheric gothic story to a now thrilling, intense mystery. The writing is *pretty insane too*. Hats off to Avi. Some of those creepy feelings and images will stay in my mind. Only I couldn't finish this in sync with Halloween. Hopefully I can do so if I re-read it next year.

[Heather Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This eerie ghost story isn’t
about some happy-go-lucky haunting. These ghosts are creepy, and they don’t have
your best interests in mind. Don’t read this in the dark!

[*Holly* · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, even though aimed at a middle school level, was creepy. It was a quick, suspenseful read.

[Kim Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved 🥰 the audiobook

[Yolanda Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avi always writes a gripping tale.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

difficult for an 11 yr old

“It was a good book but slow.
There were so many twists and turns it was exciting sometime. Overall I enjoyed it”

[Noelle Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for a middle school audience, but it is still an enjoyable read for anyone. It's light hearted spooky.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

For kids who want a somewhat creepy but not really scary ghost story (5ht-6th grades)

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really did not enjoy this. I think it's partially a case of the audio highlighting problems with the text, including some repetitive writing. So many sentences that start with adverb phrases! There are also some strange details: Tony doesn't know who's calling him on his cell phone? How is that possible in 2016? My biggest issue, though, is the treatment of Tony's female classmates. There are two female characters Tony's age - one, who clearly has to crush on him, is a damsel in distress, and the other, who's repeatedly described as pretty and looking older than her age, ends up being a very, very old woman in disguise who feeds on the souls of young people to stay alive. Puh-lease. I'm so over that trope, and it's lazy storytelling to use it.

The pacing's weak; the final scenes have lots of action and should be climactic, but long descriptions break up the action, and again, the narration didn't help. Overall, this is forgettable - probably fun for middle grader readers who are in to ghost stories, but not a stand-out.

[Alyha Pena-Ortega · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY TOP 5 REASONS FOR YOU TO READ "School of the dead" by Avi
The world built by Avi in "School of the dead" brings a hit of thrill and suspense to a peculiar school located in San Francisco.

1. Ghost
This world seems to have ghosts.They are a great addition to the book and it reveals many secrets.

2.World
It makes for a terrifying atmosphere and a great way to convey how the character feels.

3.Character
Every character feels like they do exist and are more than just bland characters who are there to move the plot.

4.Explores loss
Dealing with the death of a loved one is hard.This books follows a character who has to deal with this exploring all their feelings.

5.Emotions,detail
You can feel the way it all feels.Being able to see the fog and the terrifying feelings behind it.

This book is a way to solve your boredom and explore a more magical world.I highly recommend this book.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a very cool, fun story line. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read something fun, a little scary, and really exciting.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book but I ended up enjoying it. It was a nice quick read. They consider this horror but since it's middle grade it wasn't scary. Which was nice. I'm not into scary books.

[Pop Bop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Double-Barreled

Avi's particular appeal to me is that he often manages to produce books that have sophisticated and mature content, but still work well for his middle grade audience. I think that's exactly what you get here. And this time out we're in ghosty/horror territory.

On the supernatural side we get ghosts, a hero in peril, people who need to be saved, a creepy old building, conspiracies, twists and turns that keep us guessing about whom to believe and whom to trust, and then a socko ending full of suspense, danger and thrills. The book does start a bit slowly, mostly because our hero, Tony, is a pretty grumpy and sour pill. But, peril focuses his mind and draws out the hero within, so the jerky-at-first part makes a certain amount of sense. And once the book gets going it races along, with revelations and twists on almost every page.

And that's where the middle-grade-friendly aspect comes in. This book is scary. Villains are evil and people get hurt and are in real supernormal danger. But, we don't get explicit, visceral, or graphic violence. What harm there is occurs offstage or occurred in the past. That makes the danger manageable for a younger reader.

And, here's another important consideration. Avi is very good at slipping exposition, lots of exposition, into his stories. Here, there are at least six points at which someone grabs the hero and fills him in on the backstory and the action to date. Sometimes that someone is unreliable and trying to fool Tony, but usually that someone is a classmate or teacher, (or old newspaper article), who needs the hero to be up to speed. Now, I get those adult ghost tales that are ambiguous and understated and loaded with suggestion. But it seems to me that a good middle grade horror/ghost tale has to have a crisp, clear plot, (twisty though it may be), and a clean resolution. That's what you get here, and that especially is what makes me think this is an excellent find for middle grade thrill seekers.

So, you get dire peril, eeevil, quick-thinking, skulking and lurking, derring-do, a plot that unfolds nicely, and a hero who grows up a little as the tale proceeds. That's a nice pay-off.

(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a kid, I loved Avi's books and I still do. That's why I'm giving this 2 stars-- because I think he really dropped the ball here. His novels The Man Who Was Poe and True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle both held up well when I read them recently as an adult, so I tried one of his new publications. This book read like one of the lesser Goosebumps. The plot was thin and required far too much suspension of belief. Even some of the smaller details, like how a slack line could be affixed across a bedroom to a door without breaking the door/knob (??) gave pause. The ghosts couldn't decide whether they were zombies or spirits-- an ambiguity that made very little sense to me. This struck me as very odd considering 1) his successful use of ambiguity and ghosts in his Poe book and 2) the Gothic tradition of horror that uses monsters has a different origin to that of terror (which claims ghosts). The end of the story was also confusing. Why did Tony run back in only to be immediately unable to save the boy ghost and then chased to the tower? I couldn't figure it out except that the author seemed to really wanted to make that slack line detail count in the ending, so he needed his main character to be in the building while it collapsed. Again, that felt forced. The idea that he would be betrayed by the uncle who cared for him required more suspension of disbelief that I was capable of. Why would Uncle Charlie do that when he stated he was ready to die? Why would he want to kill his great-nephew when he clearly cared the boy? That makes about as much sense as Tony's parents shrugging off the cost of a cross-country move and private school at the insinuations of a deceased relative. I also didn't enjoy how fueled this book was by in-school cliques, bullying, and heterosexual desire. It added very little to the story, except to imply that people who have an interest in the Occult are weirdos, and pretty young women might be magical hags who want to live forever. It felt like a very sexist switch from Charlotte Doyle to me and extremely cliché. Maybe that's how Avi interprets Gothic horror, but he would've written more interesting/original female characters in this book if he'd emulated some Female Gothic. A disappointing read overall.

[Mya L · Rating 4 out of 5]

AviI is an author for pre-teens and young adults.His real name is Edward Irving Wortis but he just uses Avi. His work is enjoyed by young people and old. School Of The Dead is about
This Kid is named Tony. Tony has this crazy great uncle that moves in with him and they get really close. After his uncle has been living with him for a while he dies. When he dies his family moves to San Francisco so Tony can go to the school his uncle went to and wants him to go too. At His new school Penda, he finds the school weird but it got weirder because he found out there's a ghost boy called Penda boy. He thought it was weird that his school has a ghost and he already sees his dead uncle as a ghost or spirit. Tony starts to talk to this girl Jessica,Jessica and him find out that the penda boy is after him. He gets scared so he and Jessica make up a plan so that they would stop coming for him. Their plan worked and Tony is saved.

I loved how the author made me really imagine what the character was thinking and feeling. Like in the book Tony is just shocked about what everyone was saying. “Eyeing me, waiting for my response, the kids became quiet. I was too shocked to speak.” Also tony And Jessica how the author wrote them together made it feel like a love story to me.


I would recommend this book if you like mysteries. Because the book is a ghost mystery story. I liked this book because I could imagine what was going on in the book.For me the book was easy to read. I think this book is for kids and pre teens ages 9-13.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern day ghost story with a twist a bit of creepiness. Tony was lucky to spend some fun time with his "weird" Uncle Charlie before he dies. After passing, Tony and his family move to San Francisco so Tony can attend Uncle Charlie's alma matter - The Penda School. The school is creepy and full of strange things, including sightings of dead Uncle Charlie. Tony meets Jessica - whom many do not like and as he figures out, many are scared of . As he sets out to solve the mystery of the school, strange things happen. Tony starts wondering if he will survive all of this.

Tony is a realistic character, typical middle school boy who is trying to make friends in his new setting and trying not become one of the "losers." He doesn't know who to trust as he collects various versions of what happened to a former student. He gets some support from his parents, but not much. Avi keeps the tension and suspense going throughout - so you are quite sure how it will all end.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was well written, but slow. I read it as an ebook and I was at 59% before I began to understand what the book was supposed to be about.

The first half of the book is about this kid who starts a new school his late uncle used to attend. He starts seeing ghosts-including his uncle-and he doesn't want to see them. He's also trying to decide which group of kids he wants to be friends with. One group says they'll help him with the ghosts add the other group tells him not to be friends with the first group. And that's pretty much it.

After that, there was a plot twist and it made sense why everything in the first half of the book was the way it was. The pace picked up and I was excited to see how it ended (it ended suddenly, but not terribly). However, I can't help thinking about how many people have probably put this book down because the beginning took so long.

If you can make it through the first half, the book comes together and it's pretty interesting.

[Dale Safford · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a little creepy, and didn't make me feel real good while reading it. I wouldn't want a young teen to immerse themselves in this kind of thinking. The ending is just too, too strange. For my first book by Newberry-award winning author Avi, I wasn't too impressed.

Tony Gilbert becomes very close to his Great Uncle Charlie, and when he dies Tony can't stop thinking about how he misses him. He and his parents move to California, where Tony can attend the Penda School where Uncle Charlie had gone. Immediately Tony sees the ghost of the Penda Boy who the school was named for and eventually his uncle's ghost too, and he is sought out by another 7th grader, Jessica to join their Weird History Club. But he starts to suspect that the club members are going to use him for some awful purpose. Can he find out what is up before the dreaded Halloween night comes?