Hellhole

Gr 9 Up—Max is a good kid, and he does one bad thing: he steals a silly glittery cat bobble head from the convenience store where he works to give to his seriously ill mother. This small act of "evil" accidentally releases a demon named Burg. His friend Lore understands because she experienced a similar incident (for a white lie) and was forced by her demon to do horrible things, causing her much heartbreak until it mysteriously disappeared. The teens struggle to send Max's devil away, but Max is also determined to force the spirit to heal his mother, who is on the waiting list for a heart transplant. The protagonist gets drawn deeper into Burg's web as he attempts to keep his end of the bargain and simultaneously find a way to vanquish the devil. Damico draws readers into this quirky novel with well-written prose, believable characters, and an evenly plotted story line. More than a farce-comedy adventure with silly demons, as the cover might suggest, it will appeal to teens who enjoy literary works with some humor and an exploration of the nature of evil. With some expert booktalking, librarians can get this title into the right hands.—Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ