Sunday, June 6, 2010

Zombie Kid

My Rotten Life: Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie by David Lubar (NY: Tom Doherty, 2009).

Nathan Abercrombie is ten years old and dwells near the bottom of the social ladder at his elementary school. He's not invited to parties or readily picked for teams in gym class. In fact, he's taunted for his mediocrity. Sigh. Then a lab accident turns him into a semi-zombie. It's weird and gross, but not totally awful either. He can deal with the sleeplessness since it allows him to sneak computer time and become an expert at the games his classmates love to play. Sure it's a little nasty nearly losing a thumb and having to graft it back on with miracle plant food. But he can get some revenge on the class bully and earn some respect in gym since he feels no pain at all when running or doing 239 pull-ups. Still, he wants to be human again...until it means a choice between saving himself and helping a friend.

Great story with enough disgusting details to engross (!) reluctant readers. Recommended for ages 8-12, but OK for younger and high-low readers as well.

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