Book Review - Zombie Tag by Hannah Moskowitz

In this novel the reader finds a boy named Wil whose older brother died six months ago.  Wil's family is falling apart - his mother is distant and his father drowns himself in work.  He feels that if his brother could just come back, everything would go back to normal.  When Wil discovers that there is a secret bell that, if rung, can bring back the dead, he makes it his mission to steal it and bring his brother back.  He knows there is a chance that zombies can terrorize the town and kill everyone, but it is a chance he is willing to take if it means he could have his brother back.
However, when Graham returns, he is not the same.  Graham is not a brain-thirsty zombie bent on annihilating the human race.  Far from it - he doesn't seem to care about anything.  He cannot feel emotions.  Graham - the brother that was so full of life and excitement - is now a hollow shell of his former self.  He doesn't feel anything, and he acts as if he is oblivious to anything in the outside world.
At first, Wil and his parents are euphoric about Graham's return.  However, once Graham shows no sign of becoming his former self, Wil decides he must take matters into his own hands and bring Graham back from oblivion.  He will do whatever it takes to bring Graham back from the dead emotionally.
I have to say, this book exceeded my expectations.  Many books I have read about zombies that are geared towards junior high students have been gory or creepy.  This is actually a very interesting portrayal of death. Graham tries to articulate what it means to die - how a person is changed - without getting spiritual.  And it helps you to think about if you were given the opportunity to bring back a deceased loved one, would you do it?  In Stephen King's Pet Cemetery we are faced with the same moral dilemma - but, you know, it has A LOT more horror.  Whereas King freaked you out and got you scared, Moskowitz actually made you think about the Zombie and how it would affect them.  It is a great twist to a "zombie" book!
I also like the "growing up" idea implanted in the book.  Before Graham died, he and Wil made a promise to never grow up.  When Graham comes back, he is indifferent, unconcerned; more like a "grown-up" in Wil's eyes.  The transition from kid to adult is evident in the living to dead relationship and adds a great layer to the story.  Loved it!
Now, for my issues - after Graham died, his family moved across town to a new house.  When Graham "woke up" he went to the new house and not the one he actually lived in.  How did he know?  Where did he receive the information that his family moved?  That really, REALLY bothered me.  Also, what was up with the zombies wanting tea?  Anthony's Grandma asked for some, and Graham was drinking it when he returns from the dead.  Moskowitz made a point of letting the reader know that, but never explained why.  It felt as if that was something important and would be explained later, but it never was.
Overall, I would give this book a good 8 out of 10 stars.  It was nice to see zombies in a new light.