Dead City
The Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins says this paranormal action-adventure “breathes new life into the zombie genre” and has “a terrific twist of an ending.”
Most kids have enough to deal with between school, homework, extracurricular activities, and friends, but Molly Bigelow has something else on her list: hunting zombies. By day, Molly attends MIST — the Metropolitan Institute of Science and Technology — but outside the classroom she’s busy dealing with the undead. Because not only do zombies exist, they’re everywhere, and it’s her job to help police them and keep the peace. Sure, she’d like to be a regular kid, but given that her mother was the most revered (or feared, depending on your perspective) zombie hunter in the history of New York City, “regular” just isn’t possible. Molly’s got some legendary footsteps to follow — and some undeadly consequences if she fails.
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James Ponti
James Ponti writes the kind of books that make young readers feel like they’re in on the secret—that the world is full of puzzles, hidden missions, and brilliant kids just waiting to take the lead. With his knack for weaving mystery, humor, and heart into every chapter, Ponti has carved out a special space in middle-grade fiction—one where intelligence is celebrated and friendship is just as powerful as bravery.
Long before he was writing about young spies and sleuths, Ponti was crafting stories behind the scenes of TV shows. A former screenwriter and producer, he developed his storytelling instincts in the world of children’s television, learning the rhythm of a good joke, the importance of pacing, and how to keep a young audience hooked. That training grounds his novels in a cinematic energy—quick-witted dialogue, cliffhangers in just the right places, and characters that feel like real kids, not just plot devices.
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