My Rotten Life

August 24, 2009
In the first book in the Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie series, fifth-grader Nathan knows what it's like to be an outcast: he sits at the Second Besters table at school with kids who “score somewhere around minus two on a popularity scale of one to ten.” Then, he is doused with “Hurt-Be-Gone, the world's first all-natural, totally safe emotion killer,” which turns him into an almost-zombie. Unable to sleep or feel pain, Nathan masters the toughest video game on the market and leads his school to a track meet victory by doing hundreds of pull-ups. Lubar (True Talents
) entertains with a “Wouldn't it be cool if...” kind of story that kids often try to write and especially love to read. Gross-out moments abound, such as when Nathan gets a fork stuck in his nose and later watches as his thumb pops off and is almost eaten by a dog. The over-the-top narrative will appeal to readers who like their humor twisted, and might even have some wishing that they, too, could be a half-dead zombie. Maybe. Ages 8–12.

October 1, 2009
Gr 3-6-Fifth-grader Nathan Abercrombie has more problems than just being unathletic and unpopular. After a particularly grueling day, he is convinced by outcast Abigail to try a new remedy developed by her scientist uncle called Hurt-Be-Gone, which kills emotions. When Nathan is inadvertently doused in the substance, he becomes partially dead. He no longer needs to eat, breathe, or sleep, and he doesn't feel any pain. With Abigail's uncle on the lam from the police, Nathan has only Abigail and his friend Mookie to restore him back to life before the remedy takes full effect, making him permanently dead. The first book in a promising new series introduces likable characters beset by unusual but humorous circumstances. The gross-out factorNathan gets a fork jammed through his nose, loses a thumb, and pulls off a little fingerwill appeal to reluctant readers. This book will have a large following."Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2009
Grades 4-6 I wish I didnt have any feelings at all, says fifth-grader Nathan after getting uninvited to a party, picked last in gym, and mocked for his marginal video game skills. He gets his wish courtesy of Hurt-Be-Gone, an experimental serum concocted by a local scientist. Only a small dose is prescribed, but when Nathan is doused with the junk he starts noticing changes. He doesnt get tired. He no longer needs to breathe. These attributes come with certain advantages, and soon he and his friendsthe buffoonish Mookie and the whip-smart Abigailare enjoying the benefits of a new popularity. Of course, there are downsides too (his fingers are falling off and any food he eats just sits in his stomach and rots), so the trio begins gathering the rare ingredients for a last-ditch cure. Lubar has a fine time inventing gross-outs, but he also knows how to incorporate believable character motivation and work the heck out of a metaphor. It appears inevitable that a sequel shall rise from the grave.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)