Enter the Zombie

December 15, 2010

It's been a crazy year for fifth grader Nathan Abercrombie. Zombiefied by accident, he was recruited as a secret agent by the Bureau of Useful Misadventures. Now BUM wants his help in capturing the dread leader of RABID (Raise Anarchy By Inciting Disorder). Nathan wants to find a cure for his zombism, but he'd just be happy to stop rotting. Until now, he and friends Abigail and Mookie have kept Nathan's deadness (and Abigail's superbrain) under wraps. However, BUM wants them to enter the Mind and Body Competition in hopes of luring RABID out of the shadows. Meanwhile, Abigail's mad-scientist uncle thinks he may be on to a cure (unfortunately, he's a wanted man nearly everywhere). What's a half-dead kid to do? Lubar wraps up his Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie series with some spy thrills, slapstick and a nice helping of gross. There is a bit of conclusion-jumping and acceptance of assumptions as fact in the service of the plot, and this is less of a stand-alone than previous entries, but fans will be pleased with the outcome. (Funny horror. 7-11)

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February 1, 2011

PreS-K-Thumby, the smallest duckling on the team, is starting in his first opening-day baseball game for the Webbies. The story begins at the top of the ninth, with the opposing team at bat. The artwork is stronger than the text. Morrison provides painterly renditions of the action and draws some scenes with a unique perspective to show how it feels to be a rookie at the plate waiting for the pitch or a novice fielder hoping to catch a ball to make the third out. Readers will sense Thumby's anxiety as he is often portrayed with his thumb in his mouth. Humorous batting tips are sprinkled throughout. New players will enjoy the traditional happy ending with the bons mots on the final page.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

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