Book Review: The Zero Degree Zombie Zone

Book: The Zero Degree Zombie Zone by Patrik Henry Bass with illustrations by Jerry Craft

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: Available now

Description:

Shy fourth-grader Bakari Katari Johnson is having a bad day. He's always coming up against Tariq Thomas, the most popular kid in their class, and today is no different. On top of that, Bakari has found a strange ring that appears to have magical powers--and the people from the ring's fantastical other world want it back! Can Bakari and his best friend Wardell stave off the intruders' attempts, keep the ring safe, and stand up to Tariq and his pal Keisha, all before the school bell rings?



Rating: 3 stars

Review:

Fourth grader Bakari Johnson thought the worst things possible was having his best friend Wardell unknowingly sign him up for Hall Monitor against Tariq Thomas, the uncontested and reigning hall monitor. And not to mention he was being bullied by Tariq's cousin Keisha Owen.

However, being transported to a frozen world and threatened by a frozen giant, King Zenon who was demanding Bakari return his ring, was absolutely beyond frightening. Only problem is, Bakari doesn't have the ring, not that the King cares. He has given Bakari until the end of the day to return it or he will unleash his horde of frozen zombies on Earth.

As soon as he is returned to school, it wasn't long before Bakari found the ring and who had it. His worst enemy: Keisha. It also looks like King Zenon is not planning to stick to his agreement when ice zombies start showing up at school.

This was a cute book but there were several things that bothered me with it. First, I didn't like how nothing happened to Keisha for all the bullying she did in the story. I don't think she learned how bad she was nor would every truly stop bullying Bakari. Second, the ending in regards to the hall monitor election. I didn't like how it turned out, I wish it was written differently. Third, I also didn't like that Bakari and Wardell had to team up with Tariq and Keisha to help stop the Zombie King. They were just as villainous as Zenon in my opinion.

Something I did really like besides the story was the artwork. It was very cute and illustrated the story perfectly.