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Zombie Problems #1
A Small Zombie Problem
In his fiction debut--and the start of a new series--celebrated illustrator K.G. Campbell brings a touch of Tim Burton to this singularly strange and wonderful story about a lonely boy whose life is about to get a whole lot more complicated when a zombie follows him home.
August DuPont has spent his whole life inside a dilapidated house with his aunt Hydrangea. His lonely existence ends abruptly with the arrival of an invitation to meet an aunt--and cousins--he didn't even know existed. When Aunt Orchid suggests that August attend school with his cousins, it's a dream come true. But August has scarcely begun to celebrate his reversal of fortune when he is confronted by a small problem on his way home. So begins an adventure filled with a wild child, a zombie, a fabled white alligator, and an unimaginable family secret.
August DuPont has spent his whole life inside a dilapidated house with his aunt Hydrangea. His lonely existence ends abruptly with the arrival of an invitation to meet an aunt--and cousins--he didn't even know existed. When Aunt Orchid suggests that August attend school with his cousins, it's a dream come true. But August has scarcely begun to celebrate his reversal of fortune when he is confronted by a small problem on his way home. So begins an adventure filled with a wild child, a zombie, a fabled white alligator, and an unimaginable family secret.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2019
23 people are currently reading
406 people want to read
About the author
K.G. Campbell
12 books91 followersK. G. Campbell is the author-illustrator of Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters. He was born in Kenya, raised in Scotland, and now lives in southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
February 11, 2021
Before diving into the 2nd book, I dived into the 1st lol this was such a great read! I had so much fun. Such an imaginative, unique story. I loved August so much! He has spent his whole life in a crumbling house w/his somewhat crumbling, fearful, kooky aunt. He’s never even been off the front porch. This all ends when he unexpectedly gets a letter from an aunt to come to lunch. It’s then suggested he should attend school w/his cousins-the aunt & these cousins he never even knew existed before now. He has a “condition” w/butterflies, lol loved that, so it’s already hard for him trying to fit in. He wants to appear as “normal” as possible so he can have the friends he has so long for. This is all disrupted when a zombie follows him home lol August tries to find a solution to send the girl back to the afterlife. He discovers a lot more than he imagined though. I absolutely loved this! We have a wild child on a houseboat, a huge fabled white alligator, a family feud, family secrets, betrayal, bravery, adventure, humor, & the true meaning of friendship & what it means to belong. August is naive, shy, but so lovable. He has a lot of tough lessons to learn when he enters the outside world. I enjoyed watching him learn & grow. Life’s lessons aren’t always pretty, but usually necessary-that’s HOW we learn & grow. I loved the whole backstory of the family feud, & secrets & I’m eager to learn more! Aunt Hydrangea was such an eccentric, amazing character! I loved her dramatics, & just everything about her. I loved the zombie so much too. Lol when an author makes you fall in love w/a zombie, they’re doing something right. Every little detail, especially the unique/creative/quirky ones, were so great in here, & made it amazing. The book is full of the most stunning illustrations as well-all done by the author! Highly recommend, & I’m reading & loving the 2nd book now!💜
July 4, 2019
Pity poor August DuPont, a boy who has spent a cloistered life of genteel poverty with his hypochondriac Aunt Hydrangea in sweltering southern Louisiana. She is so frightened of life that even butterflies terrify her. But when the zombie Claudette becomes enamored of him, August discovers who his real friends are and what really living means.
Despite a too-abrupt ending, A Small Zombie Problem otherwise provides a great read, never preachy and — dare I say it? — always genteel. Author K.G. Campbell has begun what’s guaranteed to be a very enjoyable series.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Random House Children’s and Knopf Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
Despite a too-abrupt ending, A Small Zombie Problem otherwise provides a great read, never preachy and — dare I say it? — always genteel. Author K.G. Campbell has begun what’s guaranteed to be a very enjoyable series.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Random House Children’s and Knopf Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2019
More for elementary. Not quite the “zombie” book middle schoolers want. But I enjoyed the writing and main character.
April 12, 2024
A Small Zombie Problem was a cute middle grade book about a lonely boy who just wants to make friends but it gets complicated when a zombie girl follows him home.
August is a very sheltered boy who lives with this eccentric Aunt Hydrangea who is a bit stuck in her past glory of being the Chili Pepper Princess. She is pretty much afraid of everything so August has never even been outside. He was stuck inside making interesting little skeleton people and watching TV through his binoculars and based the outside world kind of on that show.
Then one day the grocery delivery comes during the rain and the delivery boy leaves his favorite snack out in a puddle so he decides to be brave and go get it and this one thing will upend his life as he knows it. Because of going outside he meets some kids his age, which one turns out to be a cousin he didn't know he had. There was been a long rival between two brothers who made Chili Pepper Sauce and the Malveau and the DuPonts have been feuding ever since. When Orchid DuPont married a Malveau she was cut off from the DuPonts so August never knew about them.
Finding his new relatives he thought was going to be the best thing ever but on his way to their house something weird happens that will eventually cause things to turn out a lot different than he would have hoped. It doesn't take long for him to realize that his family has a gem called a Cadaverite or Zombie Stone, which is why he ends up with a zombie following him around.
I liked August and felt bad for him being all cooped up in the house and how much he wanted to have a friend. When I was young I remember being the loner so I could relate.
I think this book will appeal more to young readers than adults because it does have a slightly slow pacing for half the book, but I think young readers might enjoy getting to know August and it would work better for them. As I review this I am thinking about how I think as if I was a young reader. That being said I think some of the characters names would be a little hard for some kids to pronounce. You can see some of those names in my review here and it could make it hard on the kids reading it especially if they are not vocab whiz.
That aside I thought the book was cute and since it's a series I am curious to see what kind of adventures and trouble August gets into because of the way it ended it looks like he is in for lots of shenanigans!
August is a very sheltered boy who lives with this eccentric Aunt Hydrangea who is a bit stuck in her past glory of being the Chili Pepper Princess. She is pretty much afraid of everything so August has never even been outside. He was stuck inside making interesting little skeleton people and watching TV through his binoculars and based the outside world kind of on that show.
Then one day the grocery delivery comes during the rain and the delivery boy leaves his favorite snack out in a puddle so he decides to be brave and go get it and this one thing will upend his life as he knows it. Because of going outside he meets some kids his age, which one turns out to be a cousin he didn't know he had. There was been a long rival between two brothers who made Chili Pepper Sauce and the Malveau and the DuPonts have been feuding ever since. When Orchid DuPont married a Malveau she was cut off from the DuPonts so August never knew about them.
Finding his new relatives he thought was going to be the best thing ever but on his way to their house something weird happens that will eventually cause things to turn out a lot different than he would have hoped. It doesn't take long for him to realize that his family has a gem called a Cadaverite or Zombie Stone, which is why he ends up with a zombie following him around.
I liked August and felt bad for him being all cooped up in the house and how much he wanted to have a friend. When I was young I remember being the loner so I could relate.
I think this book will appeal more to young readers than adults because it does have a slightly slow pacing for half the book, but I think young readers might enjoy getting to know August and it would work better for them. As I review this I am thinking about how I think as if I was a young reader. That being said I think some of the characters names would be a little hard for some kids to pronounce. You can see some of those names in my review here and it could make it hard on the kids reading it especially if they are not vocab whiz.
That aside I thought the book was cute and since it's a series I am curious to see what kind of adventures and trouble August gets into because of the way it ended it looks like he is in for lots of shenanigans!
May 11, 2025
Odd characters, butterfly’s, hot sauce, a bit of adventure, and of course a zombie. It does take a bit for the zombie to show up and this is NOT an apocalyptic situation or scary. It’s very cozy creepy vibes. But as an adult who enjoys spooky middle grade books with quirky characters, I absolutely adored it!!! The audiobook narration is TOP TIER 👏 I will be starting book 2 immediately!
May 27, 2019
I received a free e-ARC through NetGalley from the publishers at Random House Children’s. Trigger warnings: death, mild body horror, mild eye horror, bullying, anxiety, agoraphobia.
August DuPont has never left the battered old house where he lives with his Aunt Hydrangea, a former Chili Pepper Princess who’s mortally afraid of butterflies. When he receives a surprise invitation from another aunt he never knew he had, he dares to brave the outside world in the hopes of having friends, schooling, and adventures of his own. On his way home, he accidentally stumbles upon a small zombie problem… a problem that, unfortunately, follows him home and threatens to take all the “normal” out of his new life.
A Small Zombie Problem is a middle-grade novel in the style of Tim Burton meets Lemony Snicket, without the bitter cynicism. The world is slightly off-kilter and full of larger-than-life (and, at times, borderline ridiculous) adults and children who stumble across strangeness in everyday life. Campbell’s slightly magical and imaginary South is full of clever quirks, from giant white alligators to necromancy stones. The characters are distinct but feel familiar, and August’s dreams of making friends and having adventures (based mainly on watching television) are easy to relate to. Of course, my favorite character is the zombie, and I love that she’s actually a character–not just a plot device or a mindless antagonist.
Unfortunately, the pace is very slow. There’s no hint of a zombie or a real conflict for the first half of the book. Younger audiences who enjoy reading won’t have a problem delving into Campbell’s world-building and characters, but those who already struggle with reading might find the lack of action trying (and a zombie novel sort of implies there’s going to be a lot of action). It’s also clear that this is the first book in a series, since there are a number of elements introduced that don’t pan out in this book. I expected Madame Marvell to play more of a role, and while I’m certain the alligator will feature eventually, it’s little more than a side note here. One of the smallest plot threads wraps up to satisfaction, but there isn’t much closure to be had elsewhere. The ending itself is purposely open-ended as a lead-in to the next book.
However, there’s a lot to enjoy about it. Theme-wise, the novel prompts readers to examine the differences between expectations and reality and how things might be okay even if they don’t work out the way we imagined. There’s also a heavy note of how, good or bad, people aren’t always what they appear to be, and I enjoyed Campbell turning the tables on us once or twice. It’s a cute, fun read, and I’d be happy to continue with the series.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
August DuPont has never left the battered old house where he lives with his Aunt Hydrangea, a former Chili Pepper Princess who’s mortally afraid of butterflies. When he receives a surprise invitation from another aunt he never knew he had, he dares to brave the outside world in the hopes of having friends, schooling, and adventures of his own. On his way home, he accidentally stumbles upon a small zombie problem… a problem that, unfortunately, follows him home and threatens to take all the “normal” out of his new life.
A Small Zombie Problem is a middle-grade novel in the style of Tim Burton meets Lemony Snicket, without the bitter cynicism. The world is slightly off-kilter and full of larger-than-life (and, at times, borderline ridiculous) adults and children who stumble across strangeness in everyday life. Campbell’s slightly magical and imaginary South is full of clever quirks, from giant white alligators to necromancy stones. The characters are distinct but feel familiar, and August’s dreams of making friends and having adventures (based mainly on watching television) are easy to relate to. Of course, my favorite character is the zombie, and I love that she’s actually a character–not just a plot device or a mindless antagonist.
Unfortunately, the pace is very slow. There’s no hint of a zombie or a real conflict for the first half of the book. Younger audiences who enjoy reading won’t have a problem delving into Campbell’s world-building and characters, but those who already struggle with reading might find the lack of action trying (and a zombie novel sort of implies there’s going to be a lot of action). It’s also clear that this is the first book in a series, since there are a number of elements introduced that don’t pan out in this book. I expected Madame Marvell to play more of a role, and while I’m certain the alligator will feature eventually, it’s little more than a side note here. One of the smallest plot threads wraps up to satisfaction, but there isn’t much closure to be had elsewhere. The ending itself is purposely open-ended as a lead-in to the next book.
However, there’s a lot to enjoy about it. Theme-wise, the novel prompts readers to examine the differences between expectations and reality and how things might be okay even if they don’t work out the way we imagined. There’s also a heavy note of how, good or bad, people aren’t always what they appear to be, and I enjoyed Campbell turning the tables on us once or twice. It’s a cute, fun read, and I’d be happy to continue with the series.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
July 8, 2019
3.5 stars for book version (4 stars for audio since I swapped between the two)
Review posted at For What It's Worth on 7/8/2019: http://www.fwiwreviews.net/2019/07/re...
*Source: copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Review posted at For What It's Worth on 7/8/2019: http://www.fwiwreviews.net/2019/07/re...
*Source: copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
July 13, 2019
- The story is a little slow, especially at the beginning. It gets better towards the end.
- The zombie doesn't show up until about halfway through the book. I wish the story had focused a little more on her.
- I enjoyed the whimsical characters and the family history. The characters are what really drive the story. I hope Madame Marvell shows up more in the series.
- I really liked reading this with my daughter. It was fun to see her reactions to things. She liked the story, and she thought it was funny, especially the zombie.
- The zombie doesn't show up until about halfway through the book. I wish the story had focused a little more on her.
- I enjoyed the whimsical characters and the family history. The characters are what really drive the story. I hope Madame Marvell shows up more in the series.
- I really liked reading this with my daughter. It was fun to see her reactions to things. She liked the story, and she thought it was funny, especially the zombie.
March 12, 2019
A very enjoyable children's book by writer/illustrator K.G. Campbell. Taking place in a fictional version of Louisiana, orphan August DuPont lives with his eccentric aunt in the dilapidated manor house of the once prosperous Dupont hot sauce dynasty. Having never ventured outdoors in his life, he takes his first steps into the wider world upon discovering that he has cousins that are still wealthy, and picks up the "small zombie problem" of the title along the way.
I got this as an uncorrected galley copy, so it lacks most of the artwork that will be in the finished book. But I still found that I liked it far more than I expected, and I look forward to continuing the series.
I got this as an uncorrected galley copy, so it lacks most of the artwork that will be in the finished book. But I still found that I liked it far more than I expected, and I look forward to continuing the series.
August 18, 2019
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...
A SMALL ZOMBIE PROBLEM is a charming story in the vein of A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS and Tim Burton. August is a boy who has lived his whole life in a dilapidated house. He likes to create skeleton figurines. His family had an empire based on hot sauces, which ended, and now, he lives with his aunt who is stuck in the past, wearing her Miss Chili Pepper Princess tiara and sash still today. His aunt is terrified of butterflies, which is particularly unfortunate, since he has a chemical anomaly where he secretes something that attracts butterflies. Whenever he goes outside, he is swarmed by butterflies.
One day, August breaks the rules and does venture outside, where he meets three boys. Shortly following, he receives an invitation from an aunt he never knew he had, and he decides to take it. Along the way, he accidentally creates a zombie of his great-aunt Claudette who died when she was a girl. Thinking he looks similar to her older brother, Claudette proceeds to follow him around while he tries to discover how to solve his small zombie problem.
Ultimately charming and funny, the story follows August as he ventures outside the house and discovers new things about the world and people he never would have expected. Left open-ended for the next book in the series, this book has high appeal including the illustrations that perfectly capture key scenes and items throughout.
What I loved: This was a giggle-worthy book that creates many laughs throughout. While it may be very light horror (owing to the zombie's presence), the zombie was possibly the most charming character in the book, whereas some of the living people were less so. This contrast adds some extra delight to an overall intriguing premise.
August is also a great main character, and it was entertaining to see the world through his eyes. Although his family is a little strange, he has a lot of caring and kindness to share that I look forward to seeing more of. This is a light and fun read, complete with some fantastic illustrations that really bring the story and characters to life.
Final verdict: Overall, this is a delightful and charming book about August, his family, and his new, small zombie problem. Highly recommend for any middle grade readers looking for something unique, a little bit odd, and with some light laughs.
A SMALL ZOMBIE PROBLEM is a charming story in the vein of A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS and Tim Burton. August is a boy who has lived his whole life in a dilapidated house. He likes to create skeleton figurines. His family had an empire based on hot sauces, which ended, and now, he lives with his aunt who is stuck in the past, wearing her Miss Chili Pepper Princess tiara and sash still today. His aunt is terrified of butterflies, which is particularly unfortunate, since he has a chemical anomaly where he secretes something that attracts butterflies. Whenever he goes outside, he is swarmed by butterflies.
One day, August breaks the rules and does venture outside, where he meets three boys. Shortly following, he receives an invitation from an aunt he never knew he had, and he decides to take it. Along the way, he accidentally creates a zombie of his great-aunt Claudette who died when she was a girl. Thinking he looks similar to her older brother, Claudette proceeds to follow him around while he tries to discover how to solve his small zombie problem.
Ultimately charming and funny, the story follows August as he ventures outside the house and discovers new things about the world and people he never would have expected. Left open-ended for the next book in the series, this book has high appeal including the illustrations that perfectly capture key scenes and items throughout.
What I loved: This was a giggle-worthy book that creates many laughs throughout. While it may be very light horror (owing to the zombie's presence), the zombie was possibly the most charming character in the book, whereas some of the living people were less so. This contrast adds some extra delight to an overall intriguing premise.
August is also a great main character, and it was entertaining to see the world through his eyes. Although his family is a little strange, he has a lot of caring and kindness to share that I look forward to seeing more of. This is a light and fun read, complete with some fantastic illustrations that really bring the story and characters to life.
Final verdict: Overall, this is a delightful and charming book about August, his family, and his new, small zombie problem. Highly recommend for any middle grade readers looking for something unique, a little bit odd, and with some light laughs.
June 25, 2019
This was such a fun read! The illustrations were stunning, I loved that there was a full page in each chapter. I liked the fact that August actually learns things throughout the book about friendship, (sorry no spoilers) even though they made me sad. It was great that there were some darker, dare I say a few gross parts, it’s something I feel middle grade readers will really enjoy. As a self proclaimed lover of crystals, the fact that there were a lot mentioned throughout made me smile.
August was such a naive, lovable character, which makes perfect sense since he’s never left his house, and only spent time with his odd aunt Hydrangea. It was a fun twist that his “odor” makes butterflies attached to him, it was a cute and quirky aspect to add into the story. Hydrangea was such a fun character, she was so eccentric and her actions were pretty unexpected in most situations. I loved learning about all his family secrets and think August will really grow throughout the series.
I’m really excited to continue on with this series, since the first was so enjoyable. The way the story epilogue went makes me want to get my hands on it sooner rather than later. I hope the rest of the series lives up to my high expectations (but I’m not too worried).
August was such a naive, lovable character, which makes perfect sense since he’s never left his house, and only spent time with his odd aunt Hydrangea. It was a fun twist that his “odor” makes butterflies attached to him, it was a cute and quirky aspect to add into the story. Hydrangea was such a fun character, she was so eccentric and her actions were pretty unexpected in most situations. I loved learning about all his family secrets and think August will really grow throughout the series.
I’m really excited to continue on with this series, since the first was so enjoyable. The way the story epilogue went makes me want to get my hands on it sooner rather than later. I hope the rest of the series lives up to my high expectations (but I’m not too worried).
July 30, 2022
I went in completely blind with this story, guided only by the fact that Todd Haberkorn narrated the audiobook. I had no idea what to expect at all- and I had no idea I was in for such a treat!
The writing in this book is fun and incredible. The characters are full of life, even if they're only there for a scene or two, they leave their mark, they all feel thoughtfully written.
The story itself was incredibly heartwarming. I love August, and want nothing for the best for him, always.
The writing in this book is fun and incredible. The characters are full of life, even if they're only there for a scene or two, they leave their mark, they all feel thoughtfully written.
The story itself was incredibly heartwarming. I love August, and want nothing for the best for him, always.
November 13, 2019
Very funny! Even with a zombie, it is not scary. Does mention a child adding bourbon to his aunt’s drink. I liked it well enough to read the next in the series. BL 6.4; 5 pts. Good for younger reader with higher AR level
April 16, 2020
I read this book aloud and recorded it for my students...not sure how they liked it, but I did. Quirky characters set in a somewhat Louisiana-ish place...August lives in seclusion with his Aunt Hydrangea never leaving her decaying mansion...along comes a zombie--humorous but rich with complex vocabulary.
March 7, 2021
Fun elementary book about a zombie! Well. Really about the boy who found the zombie. Who doesn’t love a kid who non no one knows about and crazy shenanigans?
July 31, 2019
I have rather mixed feelings about this book. I did immediately feel empathy for August, who as the story opens has been stuck inside his aunt's house his entire life because of a rather weird phenomenon. And yet, the characters were rather too odd for my taste, and the zombie details were rather gross (an eyeball kept getting thrown around). The story is certainly a unique one, with August eventually befriending the zombie girl following him around. It's clear though from the moment that August meets his other aunt, Aunt Orchid, that she's trying to use him to get something she wants from his home and I felt bad for him that he didn't know enough about people to see it. And his cousins aren't exactly likable. And the white alligator is just puzzling as it doesn't really play much of a role as of yet. I'm assuming that it probably will late in the series. I think what it comes down to is that this isn't really my kind of story. The description above mentions Tim Burton and I am not a fan of his work either, so maybe that explains why I didn't like this as much as I'd hoped when I picked it up. But if you know a reader who enjoys Tim Burton kinds of strange stories, they may very well like this one.
February 17, 2020
A Small Zombie Problem by K. G. Campbell, 229 pages. Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2019. $17.
Language: G Mature Content: G Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
August DuPont lives with his Aunt Hydrangea in a dilapidated house in a Louisiana swamp. His aunt's phobias have kept him inside his whole life. He's never spoken a word to anyone other than his aunt. This all changes the day he receives a letter from his Aunt Orchid requesting a visit. Traveling to her house, he ventures into a graveyard where a tremendous racket erupts from one of the tombs. He hightails it to his aunt’s house where she recounts the story of a missing family heirloom with unusual powers. She wants his help finding it. Walking home, past the graveyard, he encounters the aftermath of the earlier ruckus. He has unknowingly created a small zombie problem.
Campbell is a definite talent. August DuPont is like no other character out there. I love how strange and unusual this story is. The illustrations are worth mentioning too. So delightful. The overall "feel" of the story is similar to The Inventor's at No. 8 and The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place. The characters represent the ultimate in quirkiness. Consider this book for avid readers who go for the unusual.
Reviewer: Valerie McEnroe, MLIS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Language: G Mature Content: G Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
August DuPont lives with his Aunt Hydrangea in a dilapidated house in a Louisiana swamp. His aunt's phobias have kept him inside his whole life. He's never spoken a word to anyone other than his aunt. This all changes the day he receives a letter from his Aunt Orchid requesting a visit. Traveling to her house, he ventures into a graveyard where a tremendous racket erupts from one of the tombs. He hightails it to his aunt’s house where she recounts the story of a missing family heirloom with unusual powers. She wants his help finding it. Walking home, past the graveyard, he encounters the aftermath of the earlier ruckus. He has unknowingly created a small zombie problem.
Campbell is a definite talent. August DuPont is like no other character out there. I love how strange and unusual this story is. The illustrations are worth mentioning too. So delightful. The overall "feel" of the story is similar to The Inventor's at No. 8 and The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place. The characters represent the ultimate in quirkiness. Consider this book for avid readers who go for the unusual.
Reviewer: Valerie McEnroe, MLIS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
July 20, 2019
Combining Southern Gothic and humor, this chapter book introduces readers to an unlikely hero in the form of August DuPont. Eleven-year-old August lives with his aunt, Hydrangea, in once was an impressive mansion. She is agoraphobic and afraid of butterflies and lives in the past when times were better and she was a beauty queen. August has never ventured forth from the house, but he does so when he receives an invitation to meet his aunt, a woman whose existence had not been known to him. She has ulterior motives, of course, but August hopes that he might find a friend in one of his cousins. It took me a little while to get into the story, but it picked up steam about halfway through, as August is followed by a young zombie named Claudette. It's hard not to think about Avery Island and Louisiana hot sauce when reading this book that has more than its fair share of odd characters and twists and turns. I liked the illustrations that combined just enough creepiness with a dash of realism to hold my interest. The ending's abruptness can be excused by the fact that this is the first in a series. It will be interesting to see what comes next for August as well as what that white alligator is up to. While this won't be everyone's cup of tea or mint julep, it certainly will appeal to certain readers who like their spookiness with a chaser or sweetness.
April 29, 2019
Quirky book designed to appeal to 3-5th graders who enjoy zombies but do not want to be terrified by the typical gruesome and undead. August has lived his entire life with his odd aunt in a decaying mansion, hidden from everyone. Turns out, his family used to be wealthy, but another branch of the family tree set them on the path to ruin. But a missing gemstone may be the way back to the former days of glory. Except that this stone calls to the dead and now August seems to have acquired his first friend in a family member long since passed on and she’s not going anywhere unless that rock can be found. Campbell’s story includes other interesting family eccentricities and some lessons in friendship. Readers will likely be intrigued by the concept of a stone that brings forth the undead, but just as things begin to get interesting, the book ends without wrapping up any of poor August’s circumstances. It’s a quick to read chapter book, but unless subsequent books come rapidly, I don’t know that it will be memorable enough for my library patrons to wait very long for more. Thanks for the dARC, NetGalley.
December 17, 2019
What a hoot! I laughed a lot listening to this. The reader was so good that my DH thought it was different readers. It didn't end on a cliffhanger, exactly, but we are certainly ready for the next in the series. I did have a few issues with things like, how did August get his glasses? And even after 40 years, a hole in the living room floor? But, there's zombies, so ...
August 16, 2020
Droll, Absurd, Heartwarming
I was amused, impressed, and entertained by this odd, and oddly endearing, book. In some respects it's similar to the work I admire from Roald Dahl and David Walliams, but it also carves out some fresh territory of its very own.
The setup is classic. August, a kind, observant, good natured boy in unusual circumstances has grown up without ever having left his rundown family mansion. According to the fictional rule of the "inciting incident" he is called upon to leave the premises and have an adventure. Along the way this innocent abroad accidentally reanimates a young girl and so ends up with a girl zombie sidekick. None of this barebones summary gives you a sense of how delightful the book is, but it at least gives you an idea of the plot, such as it is.
The real fun here is in the deadpan unflappable hero, the understated oddness of pretty much everything that happens, the charm and quirkiness of virtually every character, and the twisty unexpectedness of many of the twists and turns of the tale. There's a hidden treasure macguffin that keeps the plot wheels spinning, but that's all beside the point. There's whimsy of course, but a bracing undercurrent of sterner stuff that keeps the book from being cutesy
This is a story about family and the ties that bind. It's about adventure and making your way. It is very much about friendship and, of all things, making the honorable choice. With all the wordplay and slightly antic action, the book is mostly about goodness and kindness.
On that last point, there is a line in the book I want to get right because it encapsulates the unusual and engaging feel of this book overall. MILD SPOILER. At one point our hero is humiliated, in front of a large crowd, at a big party, by his cousin. He is hurt and embarrassed. That's not an unusual scene for a middle grade book like this, especially one involving a timid and shy kid. The author describes August's hurt and dismay. But then there is an odd narrative aside; something I don't recall ever seeing in a book like this. Here it is - "If you are saddened by the lack of compassion in such a large gathering of people, please take heart. There were, in fact, many expressions of pity and concern in the crowd, but August simply did not see them." I like authors who are edgy and sharp and sometimes push middle grade readers around. But I don't think I've read another one who is so good about picking that reader up and dusting him off after knocking him down. I just liked that.
Anyway, this is the first book in a proposed series. It ends with our two buddies looking at the next stage of their adventure, (searching for the macguffin). I will eagerly await that next volume, because I was just so taken by this first book. This was an excellent find.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
I was amused, impressed, and entertained by this odd, and oddly endearing, book. In some respects it's similar to the work I admire from Roald Dahl and David Walliams, but it also carves out some fresh territory of its very own.
The setup is classic. August, a kind, observant, good natured boy in unusual circumstances has grown up without ever having left his rundown family mansion. According to the fictional rule of the "inciting incident" he is called upon to leave the premises and have an adventure. Along the way this innocent abroad accidentally reanimates a young girl and so ends up with a girl zombie sidekick. None of this barebones summary gives you a sense of how delightful the book is, but it at least gives you an idea of the plot, such as it is.
The real fun here is in the deadpan unflappable hero, the understated oddness of pretty much everything that happens, the charm and quirkiness of virtually every character, and the twisty unexpectedness of many of the twists and turns of the tale. There's a hidden treasure macguffin that keeps the plot wheels spinning, but that's all beside the point. There's whimsy of course, but a bracing undercurrent of sterner stuff that keeps the book from being cutesy
This is a story about family and the ties that bind. It's about adventure and making your way. It is very much about friendship and, of all things, making the honorable choice. With all the wordplay and slightly antic action, the book is mostly about goodness and kindness.
On that last point, there is a line in the book I want to get right because it encapsulates the unusual and engaging feel of this book overall. MILD SPOILER. At one point our hero is humiliated, in front of a large crowd, at a big party, by his cousin. He is hurt and embarrassed. That's not an unusual scene for a middle grade book like this, especially one involving a timid and shy kid. The author describes August's hurt and dismay. But then there is an odd narrative aside; something I don't recall ever seeing in a book like this. Here it is - "If you are saddened by the lack of compassion in such a large gathering of people, please take heart. There were, in fact, many expressions of pity and concern in the crowd, but August simply did not see them." I like authors who are edgy and sharp and sometimes push middle grade readers around. But I don't think I've read another one who is so good about picking that reader up and dusting him off after knocking him down. I just liked that.
Anyway, this is the first book in a proposed series. It ends with our two buddies looking at the next stage of their adventure, (searching for the macguffin). I will eagerly await that next volume, because I was just so taken by this first book. This was an excellent find.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
July 12, 2019
A Small Zombie Problem was a cute middle grade book about a lonely boy who just wants to make friends but it gets complicated when a zombie girl follows him home.
August is a very sheltered boy who lives with this eccentric Aunt Hydrangea who is a bit stuck in her past glory of being the Chili Pepper Princess. She is pretty much afraid of everything so August has never even been outside. He was stuck inside making interesting little skeleton people and watching TV through his binoculars and based the outside world kind of on that show.
Then one day the grocery delivery comes during the rain and the delivery boy leaves his favorite snack out in a puddle so he decides to be brave and go get it and this one thing will upend his life as he knows it. Because of going outside he meets some kids his age, which one turns out to be a cousin he didn’t know he had. There was been a long rival between two brothers who made Chili Pepper Sauce and the Malveau and the DuPonts have been feuding ever since. When Orchid DuPont married a Malveau she was cut off from the DuPonts so August never knew about them.
Finding his new relatives he thought was going to be the best thing ever but on his way to their house something weird happens that will eventually cause things to turn out a lot different than he would have hoped. It doesn’t take long for him to realize that his family has a gem called a Cadaverite or Zombie Stone, which is why he ends up with a zombie following him around.
I liked August and felt bad for him being all cooped up in the house and how much he wanted to have a friend. When I was young I remember being the loner so I could relate.
I liked the illustrations that were woven throughout the story. They were a little strange but kind of went with the tone of the story.
I think this book will appeal more to young readers than adults because it does have a slightly slow pacing for half the book, but I think young readers might enjoy getting to know August and it would work better for them. As I review this I am thinking about how I think as if I was a young reader. That being said I think some of the characters names would be a little hard for some kids to pronounce. You can see some of those names in my review here and it could make it hard on the kids reading it especially if they are not vocab whiz.
That aside I thought the book was cute and since it’s a series I am curious to see what kind of adventures and trouble August gets into because of the way it ended it looks like he is in for lots of shenanigans!
This is the author is an illustrator but this is his first actual debut novel as a writer.
August is a very sheltered boy who lives with this eccentric Aunt Hydrangea who is a bit stuck in her past glory of being the Chili Pepper Princess. She is pretty much afraid of everything so August has never even been outside. He was stuck inside making interesting little skeleton people and watching TV through his binoculars and based the outside world kind of on that show.
Then one day the grocery delivery comes during the rain and the delivery boy leaves his favorite snack out in a puddle so he decides to be brave and go get it and this one thing will upend his life as he knows it. Because of going outside he meets some kids his age, which one turns out to be a cousin he didn’t know he had. There was been a long rival between two brothers who made Chili Pepper Sauce and the Malveau and the DuPonts have been feuding ever since. When Orchid DuPont married a Malveau she was cut off from the DuPonts so August never knew about them.
Finding his new relatives he thought was going to be the best thing ever but on his way to their house something weird happens that will eventually cause things to turn out a lot different than he would have hoped. It doesn’t take long for him to realize that his family has a gem called a Cadaverite or Zombie Stone, which is why he ends up with a zombie following him around.
I liked August and felt bad for him being all cooped up in the house and how much he wanted to have a friend. When I was young I remember being the loner so I could relate.
I liked the illustrations that were woven throughout the story. They were a little strange but kind of went with the tone of the story.
I think this book will appeal more to young readers than adults because it does have a slightly slow pacing for half the book, but I think young readers might enjoy getting to know August and it would work better for them. As I review this I am thinking about how I think as if I was a young reader. That being said I think some of the characters names would be a little hard for some kids to pronounce. You can see some of those names in my review here and it could make it hard on the kids reading it especially if they are not vocab whiz.
That aside I thought the book was cute and since it’s a series I am curious to see what kind of adventures and trouble August gets into because of the way it ended it looks like he is in for lots of shenanigans!
This is the author is an illustrator but this is his first actual debut novel as a writer.
August 9, 2021
August is a lonely little boy, living in a crumbling mansion in a swamp, where the only person he ever sees is his slightly loony Aunt Hydrangea. She still wears the tiara and sash from when she won the Chili Pepper Princess pageant many years ago, and has a morbid fear of butterflies. This makes August's rare skin condition, which attracts butterflies to him, rather inconvenient. He's a rather odd child, himself, making skeleton puppets in his attic bedroom and spying on the wild child whose houseboat is moored to their boat landing. Barricaded in an old ruin, the pair live on the sales of the last few remaining crates of the hot sauce that once made their family rich, before the fortune went. Then one day, August tentatively ventures outside and without meaning to, changes everything.
Next thing he knows, he's been invited to visit an aunt and a pair of cousins he didn't know he had. They're a fairly strange lot, too, but rich with it. His longing for friendship and a sense of belonging go a bit to his head, and by the time he comes home, he has agreed to hunt for a long-lost family heirloom that his newfound Aunt Orchid desperately wants. But it turns out that he has unknowingly found it already, and it's not just a pretty gemstone – it has the power to raise the dead. That explains why an undead little girl has started following August around like a lost puppy. Now he's worried that if he doesn't shake Claudette off somehow, his chance to belong with his well-to-do cousins will be ruined.
It's a quirky and funny little zombie story – with surprisingly little running and screaming, and absolutely no brains-eating – but it nevertheless puts August through quite a dilemma. He learns an heartbreakingly painful lesson, which will make your heart go out to him. Though he doesn't always come across as perfectly nice himself, you'll understand what he's going through and appreciate what he learns from it. August's world is weird and different and has a definite atmosphere, a sense of happening in a real place, and an emotional resonance that I think will stand out in young readers' minds. And it will leave you curious about what August and his pet zombie might do next.
This is the first book of the "Zombie Problems" trilogy, continuing in The Zombie Stone and, due to be released in January 2022, August of the Zombies. K.G. Campbell is an author-illustrator who also co-created the children's picture book Wee Sister Strange with Holly Grant, wrote and illustrated Lester's Dreadful Sweaters and illustrated Kate DiCamillo's Flora & Ulysses.
Next thing he knows, he's been invited to visit an aunt and a pair of cousins he didn't know he had. They're a fairly strange lot, too, but rich with it. His longing for friendship and a sense of belonging go a bit to his head, and by the time he comes home, he has agreed to hunt for a long-lost family heirloom that his newfound Aunt Orchid desperately wants. But it turns out that he has unknowingly found it already, and it's not just a pretty gemstone – it has the power to raise the dead. That explains why an undead little girl has started following August around like a lost puppy. Now he's worried that if he doesn't shake Claudette off somehow, his chance to belong with his well-to-do cousins will be ruined.
It's a quirky and funny little zombie story – with surprisingly little running and screaming, and absolutely no brains-eating – but it nevertheless puts August through quite a dilemma. He learns an heartbreakingly painful lesson, which will make your heart go out to him. Though he doesn't always come across as perfectly nice himself, you'll understand what he's going through and appreciate what he learns from it. August's world is weird and different and has a definite atmosphere, a sense of happening in a real place, and an emotional resonance that I think will stand out in young readers' minds. And it will leave you curious about what August and his pet zombie might do next.
This is the first book of the "Zombie Problems" trilogy, continuing in The Zombie Stone and, due to be released in January 2022, August of the Zombies. K.G. Campbell is an author-illustrator who also co-created the children's picture book Wee Sister Strange with Holly Grant, wrote and illustrated Lester's Dreadful Sweaters and illustrated Kate DiCamillo's Flora & Ulysses.
July 11, 2019
At first, I wasn't sure what to make of this one. I mean, it screams ZOMBIES, but in all actuality, they were initially no where to be seen! First, we meet young August...a pale lad with honey colored eyes and a peculiar affliction of sorts that makes him a literal magnet for BUTTERFLIES. Yes, you read that right...butterflies...which doesn't sound bad, until you factor in the fact that his guardian, Aunt Hydrangea, is deathly afraid of butterflies (and pretty much the outside world at this point), so yeah....let's just say that hermits get out more than these two. Thank goodness most things can be brought to you now a days, making their staid life more bearable...until finally it isn't...at least for August.
Times change, people grow up, and with that comes curiosity, and wanderlust...a need to break free and see the world, or at least the inside of a classroom, along with the chance to make friends. Was that too much to ask? It depends who you ask...and when the chance arrives for all this and more to become reality versus dream thanks to a relation he didn't know he had (thanks Aunt Hydrangea....or not), August won't be fenced in any longer. Off on an adventure to better times and greater living, he's so caught up in his rapture he can't quite see the forest for the trees...but he's about to see the graves for their inhabitants, or rather ONE of their FORMER inhabitants...though just how they came to be UN-dead is beyond him. Can August survive his first bout in the outside world or will his new undead tag-along be the monkey wrench that rips that chance away?
When push comes to shove, August has a heart of gold. He knows what's right and what's wrong. Despite the fact that ANYONE would be tempted to do things they didn't really feel comfortable with given the right situation, I can honestly say I was rather proud of him...even if it took him longer than I'd have liked. He and Aunt Hydrangea learn so much, as do the other half of the newly revealed relatives...among those lessons, our difference are to be celebrated not hidden, friends should like us for who we are not who they want us to be, the evil twin theory is TOTALLY right, and never underestimate the primal force that is a young girl zombie who feels you're threatening her friend.
**copy received for review; opinions are my own
Times change, people grow up, and with that comes curiosity, and wanderlust...a need to break free and see the world, or at least the inside of a classroom, along with the chance to make friends. Was that too much to ask? It depends who you ask...and when the chance arrives for all this and more to become reality versus dream thanks to a relation he didn't know he had (thanks Aunt Hydrangea....or not), August won't be fenced in any longer. Off on an adventure to better times and greater living, he's so caught up in his rapture he can't quite see the forest for the trees...but he's about to see the graves for their inhabitants, or rather ONE of their FORMER inhabitants...though just how they came to be UN-dead is beyond him. Can August survive his first bout in the outside world or will his new undead tag-along be the monkey wrench that rips that chance away?
When push comes to shove, August has a heart of gold. He knows what's right and what's wrong. Despite the fact that ANYONE would be tempted to do things they didn't really feel comfortable with given the right situation, I can honestly say I was rather proud of him...even if it took him longer than I'd have liked. He and Aunt Hydrangea learn so much, as do the other half of the newly revealed relatives...among those lessons, our difference are to be celebrated not hidden, friends should like us for who we are not who they want us to be, the evil twin theory is TOTALLY right, and never underestimate the primal force that is a young girl zombie who feels you're threatening her friend.
**copy received for review; opinions are my own
May 11, 2020
A Small Zombie Problem is a very serious and very silly tale about family, freedom, and zombies. The prose is genteel and sophisticated with tongue placed firmly in cheek, but it displays a great deal of empathy for its unfortunate main character. The narrative follows the misadventures of August DuPont, a young boy who attracts butterflies wherever he goes—which isn’t very far, since he hasn’t left his dilapidated house in his entire life thanks to his Aunt Hydrangea, a disgraced hot sauce heiress and the Miss Havisham of the bayou pageant circuit. When August receives an invitation to visit family he didn’t know he had, he sets off a chain of events involving zombies, undertakers, feral mystics, a giant white alligator, and a particularly memorable crawfish boil.
As you can see, this book is A Lot. I must admit that it took me a good quarter of the book to acclimate to the tone. At first I found it cloyingly twee—think of a self-conscious Southern-fried mashup of Tim Burton and Wes Anderson—but I eventually settled in and found myself enjoying it quite a bit. There’s more than a passing resemblance between this book and A Series of Unfortunate Events, which I do not care for at all, so I’m sure the similarity colored my perception at first. (That may come as quite a surprise, considering the general thrust of this blog. I’m just not a fan of art that is overly precious or impressed with itself, and A Series of Unfortunate Events has always struck me as being far too self-aware in its cleverness and quirkiness. I’ve tried to make it through the first book a few times and just couldn’t do it. On the bright side, if you’re a fan of that series you will likely love this book.)
Once I eased into the groove of A Small Zombie Problem, I found a story that was funny, suspenseful, wacky, touching, wise, and mildly disgusting, which is a marvelous combination for a kids’ book. It’s thrilling and inspiring when August stands up to his neurotic but kind-hearted Aunt Hydrangea and decides to “star in his own life”—braving the hordes of butterflies that follow him everywhere and the duplicitous relatives who toy with his emotions—so that he can make his own decisions and see what life has to offer outside of his lonely, crumbling house. August and his zombie companion grew on me a great deal over the course of this book, so I’m excited to read about their adventures in Book 2…plus, I really want to know what’s going on with that giant white alligator.
As you can see, this book is A Lot. I must admit that it took me a good quarter of the book to acclimate to the tone. At first I found it cloyingly twee—think of a self-conscious Southern-fried mashup of Tim Burton and Wes Anderson—but I eventually settled in and found myself enjoying it quite a bit. There’s more than a passing resemblance between this book and A Series of Unfortunate Events, which I do not care for at all, so I’m sure the similarity colored my perception at first. (That may come as quite a surprise, considering the general thrust of this blog. I’m just not a fan of art that is overly precious or impressed with itself, and A Series of Unfortunate Events has always struck me as being far too self-aware in its cleverness and quirkiness. I’ve tried to make it through the first book a few times and just couldn’t do it. On the bright side, if you’re a fan of that series you will likely love this book.)
Once I eased into the groove of A Small Zombie Problem, I found a story that was funny, suspenseful, wacky, touching, wise, and mildly disgusting, which is a marvelous combination for a kids’ book. It’s thrilling and inspiring when August stands up to his neurotic but kind-hearted Aunt Hydrangea and decides to “star in his own life”—braving the hordes of butterflies that follow him everywhere and the duplicitous relatives who toy with his emotions—so that he can make his own decisions and see what life has to offer outside of his lonely, crumbling house. August and his zombie companion grew on me a great deal over the course of this book, so I’m excited to read about their adventures in Book 2…plus, I really want to know what’s going on with that giant white alligator.
July 10, 2019
A Small Zombie Problem, K. G. Campbell's middle grade fiction debut, is a fun, quirky, Southern Gothic-flavored tale of family, secrets, family secrets, and zombies, obviously. August DuPont lives with his Aunt Hydrangea in their dilapidated family estate, the last members of the DuPont family and heirs to quickly dwindling DuPont's Peppy Pepper Sauce dynasty. August lives a solitary and lonely life, as he has never left his house at his aunt's insistence (she is agoraphobic and has convinced August that the outside world is a terrifying place). However, one day the grocery delivery boy drops a box of August's favorite snack, Mudd Pies, and August sees his opportunity to take a quick step outside to retrieve his snacks. Of course, this doesn't go nearly as well as August expects it to and sets in motion an adventure that involves a long hidden family pepper sauce secret, newly discovered family, a white alligator, and a wee bit of a zombie problem.
I really enjoyed Campbell's almost timeless presentation of the story (we're never really quite sure when this story takes place) and his accompanying illustrations are delightfully creepy. The story feels very atmospheric at times, and Campbell's writing is spot on creepy when it needs to be, and he also writes some surprisingly beautiful turns of phrase. I was suitably impressed several times with his writing style. August starts out so quiet and introverted and his blossoming confidence throughout the story is handled very well, and Claudette's inclusion as an actual character instead of the zombie plot device is a nice change of pace.
The book starts out a little slow, but as the action picks up, things move along fairly quickly. The ending seems a little abrupt, but the cliffhanger should leave young readers anxious for the next book in the series. I know I'll be looking forward to it.
I'd like to thank Knopf Books for Young Readers for providing me with a copy of A Small Zombie Problem in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I really enjoyed Campbell's almost timeless presentation of the story (we're never really quite sure when this story takes place) and his accompanying illustrations are delightfully creepy. The story feels very atmospheric at times, and Campbell's writing is spot on creepy when it needs to be, and he also writes some surprisingly beautiful turns of phrase. I was suitably impressed several times with his writing style. August starts out so quiet and introverted and his blossoming confidence throughout the story is handled very well, and Claudette's inclusion as an actual character instead of the zombie plot device is a nice change of pace.
The book starts out a little slow, but as the action picks up, things move along fairly quickly. The ending seems a little abrupt, but the cliffhanger should leave young readers anxious for the next book in the series. I know I'll be looking forward to it.
I'd like to thank Knopf Books for Young Readers for providing me with a copy of A Small Zombie Problem in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 23, 2019
August is a ten year old boy who, as far as he can remember, has never left his home. So the run-down mansion he lives in with his hermit aunt doesn't seem that strange. Nor does his "medical condition," a condition which makes butterflies attracted to him.
But August longs for contact with the outside world. For friends. For an epic high-five. When he discovers that he has cousins, he thinks that all his dreams are finally coming true. All he wants is to fit in with them. But the zombie who found him might make that a little difficult.
The story itself is very good, and the writing style entertaining if overtly thesaurus-y. Yes, I’m making that an adjective. It applies here. My 7 year old loved the story, but it took us quite a while to get through because he was constantly asking me what words meant. And it put the five year old right to sleep because he couldn’t understand enough to be entertained.
I found the reading level to be confusing as well. The story is appropriate for pretty young kids, I’d say a 6 year old would find it very entertaining. But the vocabulary was a much higher level, and most children under 10 would have to read it alongside a dictionary. When there is a wide gap like that, it can leave kids feeling frustrated.
This book breaks my number one cardinal rule of books - it has no ending. No resolution. No place to say goodbye. Just an introduction to a second book that will start off exactly where this one left off like a next chapter. Sigh.
My kids don't have such rules as their tastes are not discerning yet. The 7 year old loves zombies, and said he wants to find out what happens next. So...3/5, I'll probably have to buy the next one for him.
But August longs for contact with the outside world. For friends. For an epic high-five. When he discovers that he has cousins, he thinks that all his dreams are finally coming true. All he wants is to fit in with them. But the zombie who found him might make that a little difficult.
The story itself is very good, and the writing style entertaining if overtly thesaurus-y. Yes, I’m making that an adjective. It applies here. My 7 year old loved the story, but it took us quite a while to get through because he was constantly asking me what words meant. And it put the five year old right to sleep because he couldn’t understand enough to be entertained.
I found the reading level to be confusing as well. The story is appropriate for pretty young kids, I’d say a 6 year old would find it very entertaining. But the vocabulary was a much higher level, and most children under 10 would have to read it alongside a dictionary. When there is a wide gap like that, it can leave kids feeling frustrated.
This book breaks my number one cardinal rule of books - it has no ending. No resolution. No place to say goodbye. Just an introduction to a second book that will start off exactly where this one left off like a next chapter. Sigh.
My kids don't have such rules as their tastes are not discerning yet. The 7 year old loves zombies, and said he wants to find out what happens next. So...3/5, I'll probably have to buy the next one for him.
November 23, 2023
In this imaginative tale set in a world resplendent with French food, swamps, and alligators, August DuPont endeavors to become a part of society. Up till now, he has been admonished by Aunt Hydrangea to stay inside, lest he be attacked by butterflies. But never could he have imagined that he would be introduced to three humans, all of his own age, while attempting to get Mud Pies. Never could he have thought that, on the next day, he would be introduced to another human, his aunt Orchid Malveu, who instructs him to find a valuable family heirloom. It is still surprising, though, when he discovers that he has summoned a zombie named Claudette from the grave. As August tries to befriend his rich cousins, all while keeping his zombie hidden, he discovers the history of the DuPont and Malveu families: specifically, their bitter rivalry over stolen hot sauce recipes, and he finds out the existence of an ancestor who practiced necromancy using the Zombie Stone, the expensive family heirloom Orchid wishes to locate.
What I liked about this book about problems with zombies was its world-building. The imaginative setting where the story takes place, namely, Pepperville, a small town near the Croissant City, situated in a place reminiscent of Louisiana, is very interesting and causes the book to have a whimsical atmosphere. The zombie, Claudette, was amusing.
Also, overall, the book was really funny and had good illustrations. The writing was okay: neither good nor bad, and there were too many semicolons in my opinion. But this is an engaging book to read for fun, and it has humor in it, though not much action
What I liked about this book about problems with zombies was its world-building. The imaginative setting where the story takes place, namely, Pepperville, a small town near the Croissant City, situated in a place reminiscent of Louisiana, is very interesting and causes the book to have a whimsical atmosphere. The zombie, Claudette, was amusing.
Also, overall, the book was really funny and had good illustrations. The writing was okay: neither good nor bad, and there were too many semicolons in my opinion. But this is an engaging book to read for fun, and it has humor in it, though not much action
December 1, 2019
Adult rating: 4 stars
Kid rating: 3 stars
You have to appreciate quirky to appreciate this book. The plot and characters are...well...quirky. I really liked it, but with so many books out there, I'm not sure this one will get the attention it deserves.
August Dupont lives with his Aunt Hydrangea in a dilapidated house in a Louisiana swamp. His aunt's phobias have kept him inside his whole life. He's never spoken a word to anyone other than his aunt. He spends his days waiting for his mudd pie delivery, watching a TV show through a telescope, observing the girl on the houseboat next-door, making paper-mache skeletons, and fending off the butterflies he attracts with his unique scent. Quirky enough?
One day he receives a letter from his Aunt Orchid Malveau requesting a visit. He ventures off into the unknown world, passing a graveyard along the way. August is pleasantly surprised by his aunt's kindness. She tells him a story of a rare stone which she thinks is hidden in the Dupont house. If August will help her find it, she will arrange for him to attend school with his cousins. August is the happiest he has ever been as sets off for home.
When he passes the graveyard, a zombie girl emerges and takes a liking to him. To his dismay, she follows him home and won't leave. While trying to deal with this "problem," he figures out the whereabouts of the stone and its connection to the zombie girl.
Campbell is a definite talent. I love how strange and unusual this story is. The illustrations are worth mentioning too. So delightful. The overall "feel" of the story is similar to The Inventors at No. 8, but much better. A more well-known book with a similar vibe is The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place. The same audience for that book is likely to appreciate this one.
Kid rating: 3 stars
You have to appreciate quirky to appreciate this book. The plot and characters are...well...quirky. I really liked it, but with so many books out there, I'm not sure this one will get the attention it deserves.
August Dupont lives with his Aunt Hydrangea in a dilapidated house in a Louisiana swamp. His aunt's phobias have kept him inside his whole life. He's never spoken a word to anyone other than his aunt. He spends his days waiting for his mudd pie delivery, watching a TV show through a telescope, observing the girl on the houseboat next-door, making paper-mache skeletons, and fending off the butterflies he attracts with his unique scent. Quirky enough?
One day he receives a letter from his Aunt Orchid Malveau requesting a visit. He ventures off into the unknown world, passing a graveyard along the way. August is pleasantly surprised by his aunt's kindness. She tells him a story of a rare stone which she thinks is hidden in the Dupont house. If August will help her find it, she will arrange for him to attend school with his cousins. August is the happiest he has ever been as sets off for home.
When he passes the graveyard, a zombie girl emerges and takes a liking to him. To his dismay, she follows him home and won't leave. While trying to deal with this "problem," he figures out the whereabouts of the stone and its connection to the zombie girl.
Campbell is a definite talent. I love how strange and unusual this story is. The illustrations are worth mentioning too. So delightful. The overall "feel" of the story is similar to The Inventors at No. 8, but much better. A more well-known book with a similar vibe is The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place. The same audience for that book is likely to appreciate this one.
June 16, 2019
August DuPont is living with his eccentric Aunt Hydrangea in a home that is slowly falling apart. August has a strange problem. He attracts butterflies. The butterflies will land on his head, his shoulders, and so forth. He doesn’t know anyone but his aunt. Why? When he sees a boat, he watches a girl who lives on the boat. He watches a tv with binoculars that is on her boat. He isn’t allowed outside as his aunt worries for his safety. When his Aunt Orchid issues an invitation to August, he decides that he is going. aunt Hydrangea doesn’t want him to go. Why? As he walks to Aunt Orchid’s home, he meets a girl who is undead in a cemetery he walks by. She won’t leave him alone. She ends up in the river when August throws her eyeball there. After having a chat with his Aunt Hydrangea, the undead girl shows up in his home. What will August tell his aunt?
The author writes a novel that is a portrait of a boy with history discovered about his ancestors and the magic included in that ancestry. There is also the undead girl (a zombie) who wants a friend. I enjoyed reading the story as there is humor besides the mystery of his ancestors. I recommend the first book of this series.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The author writes a novel that is a portrait of a boy with history discovered about his ancestors and the magic included in that ancestry. There is also the undead girl (a zombie) who wants a friend. I enjoyed reading the story as there is humor besides the mystery of his ancestors. I recommend the first book of this series.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
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