The Zero Degree Zombie Zone

August 18, 2014
Fourth-grader Bakari Johnson thinks the greatest challenge of his day happens when his best friend Wardell nominates him to be hall monitor, running against his perfect classmate Tariq, who is backed by Bakari's outspoken nemesis, Keisha. But the day turns surreal when Bakari is whisked through a portal into the "Zero Degree Zombie Zone" and ordered to return a missing ring belonging to its ruler, Zenon, who Craft pictures as a spiky ice demon of sorts in his b&w cartoon spot illustrations. Back at school, Bakari discovers that the person with the ring is the last one willing to give it up: Keisha. When ice zombies raid the cafeteria and Bakari, Wardell, Keisha, and Tariq are transported to the Zone once more, Keisha sees the threat that exists, and all four kids must figure out how to collaborate to save the world. Bakari's self-deprecating yet amusing voice carries this action-packed, fast-moving story, Bass's first book for children, which finds its resolution before the last bell. Ages 8â12. Author's agent: Marie Brown, Marie Brown Associates.

July 15, 2014
Four African-American fourth-graders have to lay aside their quarrels to save the Earth from an invasion of icy zombies.Storywise, Bass doesn't try for anything complicated or, for that matter, particularly logical. Having dropped a very important ring in the halls of Thurgood Cleavon Wilson Elementary, giant ice king Zenon threatens nerdy narrator Bakari Katari Johnson with a planetary invasion to get it back. Bakari is mystified until he spots the ring on the finger of classmate Keisha, mouthy mouthpiece for smug all-star athlete/teachers' pet Tariq. It all sets off a round of squabbles and hall and lunchroom fracases with shambling zombie minions, a visit to Zenon's icy dimension, and finally a bit of magic using the ring and a special marble that Bakari just happens to have from his granddad to close the gates to the Zombie Zone forever. Along with Bakari's chubby best friend, Wardell, the young folk go from enemies to allies by the end. Craft tucks in lots of fluidly drawn scenes featuring purse-lipped students with oversize heads, jagged-edged attackers and the aforementioned ring in action.Rote of plot and themes but with a (human) cast that does address a definite lack in the largely lily-white throngs of middle-grade fantasies. (Fantasy. 9-11)

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September 1, 2014

Gr 3-7-Nonfiction writer and Essence Magazine editor Bass has partnered with talented illustrator Craft to create a champion with whom many middle grade readers will identify. Bakari and his easy-going best friend, Wardell, must save the world from the evil ice king, Zenon, who has lost his ring and is looking for revenge. It seems that popular but cocky Tariq and Keisha may have the ring. How will the two boys solve the problem of returning the ring and standing up to the pushy pair all in one day? Refreshingly, this tale stars an African American cast. This colorful, well-illustrated story contains friendship, magic, zombies, and plenty of adventure. Readers will surely clamor for further installments from this talented duo.-Jane Hebert, Glenside Public Library District, Glendale Heights, IL

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