Shadow Walkers

December 6, 2010
Hartinger (Project Sweet Life) gives his usual slice-of-life style a paranormal twist in this metaphysical thriller. As a mostly closeted gay teenager living with his younger brother and grandparents in a small island community in the Pacific Northwest, Zach relies on the Internet for social interaction. When he's grounded for a minor infraction and loses his online privileges, he starts experimenting with astral projection, though with little luck. After his brother is kidnapped, Zach again turns to astral projection in an attempt to find him. Teaming up with another teenager he meets on the astral plane, Zach and his cute new ally race against time to prevent a tragedy, little suspecting that an even greater danger is stalking them. Were it not for the implausible leap of logic that leads Zach to use astral travel to save his brother (a somewhat ill-fitting plot mechanic, with too many coincidences and aspects left unexplained), this would work well as either a tense thriller or a gay teen romance. But both plot and character development feel rushed, and things never quite fall into place. Ages 12–up.

December 15, 2010

After his parents' deaths, Zach is doomed to live under his grandparents' rule on a remote island. His tribulations as an isolated gay teen worsen when his beloved brother is kidnapped and Zach discovers the only way to find him is through astral projection. However, as he stumbles toward supernatural prowess, what should be meaty self-discovery scenarios are disappointingly abbreviated (even he seems surprised by his rapid progression). Homosexuality, domestic crime and an immortal serial killer are also far too efficiently explored, making the narrative feel rushed. Despite hasty shortcuts, though, Hartinger presents an entertaining mingling of coming-of-age and supernatural. His approach toward homosexuality is refreshing, in that it isn't the flashy foreground of Zach's struggle but is adequately addressed. And through a veil of mild violence, teen fantasy and otherworldly terror, the tale ultimately reminds readers of more meaningful ways of communicating than laptops and texting (even if the book's haste to get to its point seems to cater to the attention deficit said texting and laptops might inspire). (Paranormal. 12 & up)

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January 1, 2011
Grades 7-10 Hartingers latest combines mystery, romance, and the paranormal into a fast-paced but sometimes messy thriller. Zach finds tiny Hinder Island limiting: he is still considered an outsider, even after two years. His real life is online, where he finds the acceptance and freedom he cant get at home. When he is grounded from his computer, he feels trappeduntil he discovers astral projection. Then, when his little brother Gilbert is kidnapped, Zach tracks him from the astral realm, where he meets Emory, a mysterious boy whos willing to help. But while they search for Gilbert and form a tentative romance, a shadowy creature stalks them, seeking to possess their physical bodies. Hartinger writes realistic teenagers, and Zachs humor, shy awkwardness, and longing to connect will resonate with readers. Though Zach and Emory speed to the l-word, their relationship is as buoyant as first love should be. Other elements are less convincing, such as the lack of consistency in how the astral realm works and how the kidnapping plot pans out. Still, this quick genre-bender has something for everyone.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)