The Bridge

August 1, 2016

Gr 8 Up-Seventeen-year-old Everett Hallman learns that he is a special kind of witch: a Bridge Master. When ghosts are ready to leave our world, they find a Bridge Master to help them cross over from our world into the afterlife. Everett's unique powers put him in danger from witches who might hope to exploit his ability to transcend the bridge. One night, Everett follows a supernatural trail that leads him to the local Korean dojang, where strange paranormal activity hints at a darker presence. To investigate further, Everett signs up for private tae kwon do lessons from Bryce, a cute boy who Everett suspects is far more than he seems. This short novel has two main plot points: Everett's budding romance with Bryce and the paranormal mystery at the dojang. The romance is sweet and unfolds slowly, as it likely would between two boys unsure if their romantic feelings are reciprocated. Adult characters' discomfort with Everett and Bryce's romantic relationship has more to do with disrupting the paranormal world than with the fact that the boys are gay. Though the mystery has potential, interesting plot threads, such as the haunted forest and the witch lore stories, remained unexplored. Motivations of the "bad" characters are fuzzy, and the lackluster world-building will leave readers with more questions than answers. VERDICT Recommended for readers who value romance and character development over solid world-building.-Leigh Collazo, Dulwich College, Suzhou, China

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.