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Zeke Meeks #3
Zeke Meeks vs the Putrid Puppet Pals
All the children in the third grade except Zeke Meeks are playing with the newest fad, Puppet Pals finger puppets--will Zeke give in to the pressure and join them, even though he would much rather play basketball?
- GenresHumor
128 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2012
41 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 12, 2020
The newest fad is puppet pals, and all the third graders love them...except Zeke.
Humorous series. Zeke is likable, and unlike other similar books, never bullies. There is minimal fart/burp humor. Zeke is scared of insects, which is played a bit for laughs, but is endearing IMO.
Only part I didn’t like is the kissing girls. Consent is important. Still I would recommend. There was actual plot and some development. Lessons were learned but not in a barfy way.
Humorous series. Zeke is likable, and unlike other similar books, never bullies. There is minimal fart/burp humor. Zeke is scared of insects, which is played a bit for laughs, but is endearing IMO.
Only part I didn’t like is the kissing girls. Consent is important. Still I would recommend. There was actual plot and some development. Lessons were learned but not in a barfy way.
January 26, 2020
Started out strong and funny and then it started to lose me. Somehow as the story progressed, it lost some authenticity for me.
July 9, 2020
Zeke is so tired about these puppet pals he wants to destroy them all.
February 9, 2024
Amazing series
Really good series and is amazing for third grade readers. I would recommend this book for most ages and is good for bedtime reading. -Clara Brooks
Really good series and is amazing for third grade readers. I would recommend this book for most ages and is good for bedtime reading. -Clara Brooks
December 19, 2016
Zeke Meeks vs. the Putrid Puppet Pals is the story of a childhood toy fad and how it affects the one boy in class who is just not into it. The puppet pals - like real-life Beanie Babies, Furbies, and Silly Bandz - have taken over Zeke’s class. The puppets aren’t particularly interesting, but some of them are supposedly collectible, and all the kids Zeke knows, including his best friend, have gone totally crazy buying, trading and playing with them. Zeke finds it more and more difficult to find friends to play with at recess, and he finds himself faced with two options - either embrace the fad he so despises, or find a way to put a stop to it.
I thought the idea of a toy fad was the perfect subject for a chapter book. All kids can relate to these crazes, which seem to come around every couple of years, and I’m sure not all of them fall instantly in love, even if their friends are obsessed with the latest big thing. This book is published by Capstone, which is known for publishing high interest books that appeal to reluctant readers, and Zeke Meeks vs. the Putrid Puppet Pals definitely fits that bill. The design of the book, and its many illustrations and embellishments make it look a lot like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, but the reading level makes it more appropriate for the slightly younger audiences, of second-, third-, and fourth-graders who might not be ready to read Wimpy Kid just yet.
I loved the way the author depicted Zeke’s hatred for the puppets, but also occasionally allowed him to covet the puppets as well, out of a desire to fit in and to have playmates again. I thought the psychology of that was really interesting, and it made Zeke so much more real and relatable. My only complaint is that, out of nowhere, toward the end of the book, Zeke references the book itself as though he is aware he is in a story. I found that distracting, and it sort of took away from the realism of the rest of the story, which never breaks the fourth wall in any way.
All in all, though, this is a clever, funny, and timely tale that will appeal to boys or girls. The way the story ends doesn’t necessarily indicate that Zeke’s friends have learned anything from their Puppet Pals experience, but the entire story raises important questions about materialism and the way certain products are marketed to kids.
Recommend this book to kids you know who have enjoyed Big Nate, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Amelia Rules, and Alvin Ho.
I thought the idea of a toy fad was the perfect subject for a chapter book. All kids can relate to these crazes, which seem to come around every couple of years, and I’m sure not all of them fall instantly in love, even if their friends are obsessed with the latest big thing. This book is published by Capstone, which is known for publishing high interest books that appeal to reluctant readers, and Zeke Meeks vs. the Putrid Puppet Pals definitely fits that bill. The design of the book, and its many illustrations and embellishments make it look a lot like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, but the reading level makes it more appropriate for the slightly younger audiences, of second-, third-, and fourth-graders who might not be ready to read Wimpy Kid just yet.
I loved the way the author depicted Zeke’s hatred for the puppets, but also occasionally allowed him to covet the puppets as well, out of a desire to fit in and to have playmates again. I thought the psychology of that was really interesting, and it made Zeke so much more real and relatable. My only complaint is that, out of nowhere, toward the end of the book, Zeke references the book itself as though he is aware he is in a story. I found that distracting, and it sort of took away from the realism of the rest of the story, which never breaks the fourth wall in any way.
All in all, though, this is a clever, funny, and timely tale that will appeal to boys or girls. The way the story ends doesn’t necessarily indicate that Zeke’s friends have learned anything from their Puppet Pals experience, but the entire story raises important questions about materialism and the way certain products are marketed to kids.
Recommend this book to kids you know who have enjoyed Big Nate, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Amelia Rules, and Alvin Ho.
October 22, 2011
As a kid I loved reading Sweet Valley Kids. Yeah. Yeah. Don’t laugh I loved those books. I even have a whole box of books dedicated to the Sweet Valley series believe it or not. I think those were the books that triggered my interest in reading that is aside from the Disney fairy tale books. I loved those too.
Anyway, I got this Advanced Readers copy from Netgalley which was cool. You might be asking why I would like to read a kids book. To tell you honestly I didn’t know what I was thinking. I just wanted a fun and easy read and this book did not disappoint. Reading this made me miss being a kid.
Zeke Meeks and his best friend Hector Cruz doesn’t sit down during recess. So when Zeke found his best friend sitting down with Owen Leach one day he was surprised. They were playing Puppet Pals. Everyone was playing Puppet Pals. Zeke was not at all happy. He didn’t like Puppet Pals.
It was a funny read. No, let me rephrase that it was a hilarious read. I am already 22 but still I enjoyed this book so much. The illustrations were perfect for the book. At the end of the book there was also an instruction as to how you could make your own Puppet Pals. Haha. Cool!
I give this book 4 stars. :)
Anyway, I got this Advanced Readers copy from Netgalley which was cool. You might be asking why I would like to read a kids book. To tell you honestly I didn’t know what I was thinking. I just wanted a fun and easy read and this book did not disappoint. Reading this made me miss being a kid.
Zeke Meeks and his best friend Hector Cruz doesn’t sit down during recess. So when Zeke found his best friend sitting down with Owen Leach one day he was surprised. They were playing Puppet Pals. Everyone was playing Puppet Pals. Zeke was not at all happy. He didn’t like Puppet Pals.
It was a funny read. No, let me rephrase that it was a hilarious read. I am already 22 but still I enjoyed this book so much. The illustrations were perfect for the book. At the end of the book there was also an instruction as to how you could make your own Puppet Pals. Haha. Cool!
I give this book 4 stars. :)
March 11, 2016
“Puppet Pals are so much fun for just about everyone!” Well, everyone except Zeke Meeks. Zeke Meeks is the only third grader NOT interested in the new toy trend. Puppet Pals haunt Zeke everywhere he goes, from the annoying commercial that constantly plays on the television singing, “Puppet Pals are so much fun for just about everyone!” to his classmates playing with them endlessly during class and on the playground. When Zeke’s best friend, Hector, abandons him on the playground to play with the putrid puppet pals, Zeke knows he must conform to the fad. Using his precious allowance money, Zeke buys the expensive finger puppets. The only problem? Zeke finds the Puppet Pals to be just as boring as he thought they would be.
This book has a thoughtful lesson about trends and advertising, some funny playground dynamics, and lots of laughs throughout. Also, if Zeke’s dislike for puppet pals hasn’t deterred the reader, there are instructions in the back of the book for how to create puppet pals at home. If you enjoy Zeke’s funny and clever commentary, you might also enjoy Zeke Meeks vs the Gruesome Girls and Zeke Meeks vs the Stinkin’ Science Fair.
This book has a thoughtful lesson about trends and advertising, some funny playground dynamics, and lots of laughs throughout. Also, if Zeke’s dislike for puppet pals hasn’t deterred the reader, there are instructions in the back of the book for how to create puppet pals at home. If you enjoy Zeke’s funny and clever commentary, you might also enjoy Zeke Meeks vs the Gruesome Girls and Zeke Meeks vs the Stinkin’ Science Fair.
June 6, 2012
Too bad there is not an image of the cover for this book. Although this is terrible to say, a huge part of the appeal of this book is the graphic novel looking cover.
This is definitely a reach out to young boys and the story reflects their concerns and social life. Zeke just wants to play basketball but all of his class mates have gone cuckoo for puppet pals, the latest trend to descend upon the 8 and under crowd. Zeke thinks they are ridiculous but his friends pressure him into to spending his allowance on a set. Zeke has to work things out with his best buddy and he does...but all kids will relate to the silliness of doing something because everyone else is.
A good addition to the easy chapter books - especially for boys but would appeal to girls as well. A less jaded Zack Files read with more eye grabbing illustrations. ( More like 3 & 1/2 stars)
This is definitely a reach out to young boys and the story reflects their concerns and social life. Zeke just wants to play basketball but all of his class mates have gone cuckoo for puppet pals, the latest trend to descend upon the 8 and under crowd. Zeke thinks they are ridiculous but his friends pressure him into to spending his allowance on a set. Zeke has to work things out with his best buddy and he does...but all kids will relate to the silliness of doing something because everyone else is.
A good addition to the easy chapter books - especially for boys but would appeal to girls as well. A less jaded Zack Files read with more eye grabbing illustrations. ( More like 3 & 1/2 stars)
February 27, 2012
Third grader Zeke learns what is important--and not--when he tries to fit in by buying popular puppet pals. Humorous black and white illustrations throughout bring story to life. Larger font and double spacing make this a great choice for newly independent readers.
May 20, 2013
An energetically illustrated silly romp into the world of third-grade angst where every tribulation can feel like a crisis. Goofy enough to appeal to the younger set who are not quite ready for the Wimpy Kid series.
May 11, 2016
Kids will love the layout; it's quick and easy to read for 2nd/3rd graders who are interested in fluff with no depth. (Not being critical, just calling it what it is.) Rather like a Diary of a Wimpy Kid for a big younger audience. Just wish I (as an adult) found myself laughing more often.
April 16, 2012
Cute, but a little heavy on the outdoor activity is good for you. Relatable regarding fads elementary school.
June 21, 2013
I am rating books my kids read according to their rating- that way I can get book recommendations from goodreads for them.
October 22, 2013
A single-message book, but amusing in places and with a laugh-worthy focus point.
April 5, 2015
A humorous story that will appeal to 2nd and 3rd graders. Good for struggling readers in intermediate grades.
December 23, 2015
to a meeks
Read
March 23, 2017it was a good book!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews