“When teenagers moan “

“I mean, it's not like we're any different than we were before we

died. We crave security, companionship, and love. We laugh and cry and feel emotional pain.”

Isn't it amazing a zombie can feel this way? Yes, it is true that zombies scare people to death and wander across the streets, stinking of wet and worm-infested earth. But it is an undeniable fact that zombies can be pretty emotional, too. This phenomenal combination of sensitivity and roaring weeps seems to be the reason why they are becoming extremely popular among teenagers and adults. “A zombie’s lament”, written by S. G. Browne, is a short story that describes Andy´s life as a newly risen zombie. He ambles in a society full of living people who don´t like zombies. He survived a car accident in which he lost his love and now he lives in his parents´ attic. There, he sits and plans what he is going to do with his life. He does it most of his time. Since his parents and close friends avoid him, he joins a support group, “Undead anonymous”. Then, Andy and other UA members start thinking about eating human flesh.

 Robert C. Small tries to define Young Adult Literature by stating some characteristics that are unique to young adult novels. According to those characteristics, “A zombie´s lament” could be taken as YAL.

One of the most important features that Small highlights to refer to Young Adult Literature is that the main character is usually perceptive, sensitive, intelligent, mature and independent. What can be more sensitive than feeling you are dying again because you miss your wife and your little daughter? Actually, nothing. Andy would give anything to see his family just one more time or to tell them how much he loves them. Moreover, he proves his intelligence and maturity when he quickly learns that life is easy for dead people but it turns really difficult for the dead who come back and become zombies with no civil rights. In addition, a rush of independence can be clearly appreciated when Andy complains about a growing minority group of zombies that eat human flesh. He believes that people shouldn´t generalize because the fact that certain zombies fit the stereotype of the undead does not necessarily mean that all the zombie community want to taste the breathers (human beings). Andy shows that he makes his own decisions and his attitude perfectly coincides with another important feature that Small points out when defining YAL: the actions and decisions of the main character is the major factor in the outcome of the story´s conflict.

Apart from the features stated before, in his characterization of Young Adult Literature, Robert Small claims that the main character may be a teenager. We know that Andy is thirty-two years old. Despite the fact that some experts claim that adolescence may extend until the age of 30, he is not a teenager. But hold on a second...Just take a look at Andy! He displays certain fixed teenage characteristics. Take for example Andy´s last wish in the the story: “I just hope my parents understand.” Like adolescents, Andy fights for his parents´ acceptance. He considers extremely necessary to be accepted by them and by the world. Similarly, teens need to have someone in the world to talk to or someone they could trust on. So, most of the time, they find shelter in their group of pairs in order to fulfil their need. Andy becomes part of a support group and hangs out with other zombies who share the same problems than him.

In conclusion, this story fulfils most of the characteristics of Young Adult Literature according to Small. Zombies are attractive for adolescents and this story makes teens embed in a world that resembles their essence, experiences and beliefs. If they read this story they would be able to identify with Andy´s deep fears, thoughts, complains and wishes in life.