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Christopher Mannino’s life is best described as an unending creative outlet. He teaches high school theatre in Greenbelt, Maryland. In addition to his daily drama classes, he runs several after-school performance/production drama groups. He spends his summers writing and singing. Mannino holds a Master of Arts in Theatre Education from Catholic University, and has studied mythology and literature both in America and at Oxford University. His work with young people helped inspire him to write young adult fantasy, although it was his love of reading that truly brought his writing to life.
Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite
School of Deaths by Christopher Mannino has a plot that is quite different from your typical YA novel. Suzie, a teenage girl, suddenly finds herself in the world of deaths where she is supposed to be trained to become a death herself. Deaths are the characters who help dead people to find their way to the afterlife. The only problem is that Suzie is the only female death in a million years. And she would naturally like to go back home to her family again. She has to stay in the world of deaths for a year though, and may go back home if she manages to pass the final test at the end of the year - which most people fail. During her time in the world of the deaths, Suzie has to fight against bullies, and might also be in lethal danger as some see the presence of a female death as a threat.
I picked up School of Deaths by Christopher Mannino because I found the plot different from what I had read in the past. I was not disappointed and, in addition to having a great plot, the book is also well written and entertaining. The only issue I have with it is that it could have been longer, and some topics could have been spoken about more (or maybe a sequel, dear author?). I did like the Elementals very much; they alone would deserve a book written about them. It is not just a book for young adults though, but an imaginative read for everyone who likes something a little bit different.
