The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie

Reach for this book when your child is navigating feelings of social anxiety or feeling like an outsider and needs to see that bravery often looks like a quiet boy and an elderly mentor standing together. This Gothic mystery follows Johnny Dixon and the eccentric Professor Childermass as they attempt to protect a friend from a supernatural threat involving a mysterious voodoo cult. It is a perfect choice for middle grade readers who enjoy a 'safe scare' where the world is dark and atmospheric but goodness eventually prevails through loyalty and intellect. While the story involves zombies and occult themes, it focuses on the strength of intergenerational friendship and the importance of helping others even when you are afraid. It provides a wonderful opening for conversations about how we define courage and how to handle the feeling of being in over your head. Parents will appreciate the sophisticated vocabulary and the way the book treats Johnny's anxiety with respect rather than as a character flaw.