I picked this book up from a Scholastic book order and had no idea how popular it would be with my kids. Even my younger daughters were drawn to the cover, the great illustrations, and the mysterious Zombiekins. When I started reading this, my 5 and 3 yr olds cuddled up close and asked me to read it out loud. Within a couple of pages I had all my daughters around me and I read till my mouth went dry. My MMGM pick:Zombiekins by Kevin Bolger
published in June 2010
Other books by the author:
Sir Fartsalot Hunts the Booger
Zombiekins 2 (coming out sometime this year)
The Hook: When 4th grader Stanley buys an odd stuffed animal from the widow Imavitch's yard sale, he has no idea it will come alive and turn the kids at school into zombies.
Why I love this book: humor and age-appropriate zombies. Any zombie stuffy who rips Winnie the Pooh, Elmo and Barney to shreds on his first night is my kind of zombie. When Zombiekins (half bunny/half rabid teddy bear) starts biting kids at school and turning them into ridiculous zombies, my kids and I were laughing on every page. Zombies are crazy slow and stupid and Bolger plays this up. It reminds me of the zombie satire movie Sean of the Dead: clever and hilarious. This book is for younger middle graders and it's definitely a boy book but girls will love it too. (I have four zombiekins super fans as proof.) Seriously, I heart Zombiekins, I'm excited for book 2.
Want More? Go to his fabulous Zombiekins website for book trailers, excerpts, news...seriously, kids will love it. Great example of an author site for younger MG. Not convinced? The Book Aunt has another great review.
Other MMGMers (go, they always have great picks):
- Shannon Whitney Messenger
- Kid Lit Frenzy
- My Brain on Books
- My Comfy Chair
- Night Writer
- Book Dreaming
- Write About Now
- Just Deb
- Novel & Nouveau
- Anita Laydon Miller's MG Blog
- Literary Rambles
- Middle Grade Mafioso
I'm not a big zombie reader, I prefer zombie satire. I don't get the scary element of brain-dead, snail-paced, dull-teethed monsters. How about you? Do you read Zombies?
I am afraid of zombies, personally. Zombie satire sounds delightful. And always looking for funny read-alouds for my 5 year old son.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I'm not a big zombie reader either. This sounds hilarious, something my older middle grade son would like even if he's not the target audience.
ReplyDeleteI really like this one. Anything zombie, and I'm right there.
ReplyDeleteThis is going on my goodreads list so I could read it when I get the chance.
Thanks for featuring it.
I'm not into blood-and-guts Zombies but I have a daughter whose favorite holiday is Halloween and her son, my grandson, is totally into monsters and zombies. Needless to say I'm always looking for a great book for them to read together. This is perfect! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh, great post, Brooke! I'm not a huge fan of zombies either. (The Forest of Hands and Teeth gave me nightmares for days!) But funny zombie books are great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads-up. I've seen this on the shelf at the bookstore but never read it.
I was really drawn to the cover too.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice for MMGM. I can't wait to read this one!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe daughter of a friend of mine picked this up, read it, LOVED. I'm looking forward to reading it too.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah...I kinda love the zombies, lol. Carrie Ryan's Forest of Hands and Teeth being one of my favorities.