Tags
Book Reviews, Elizabeth Fais, Ghost Buddy, Ghosts, Hank Zipzer, Henry Winkler, LA13SCBWI, Lin Oliver, Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday, Middle Grade, MMGM, Paranormal, SCBWI, Scholastic, World's Best Under-Achiever, Zero to Hero
Billy Broccoli is starting middle school at the same school where his mother is the principal. As if that’s not bad enough, he’s also dealing with a new step-father, a bratty older step-sister, a new house—that’s really old–a new neighborhood away from his old friends.
What were the chances things could go that wrong? Apparently, a lot. Because they get worse.
His step-sister took the best room in their new-old house, leaving Billy with the lavender and pink bedroom. He soon discovers that the rainbow and pony wallpaper is the least of his worries, when a ghost materializes insisting it’s still his room, and that he’s Billy’s personal ghost.
You can see me because I’m your ghost. To everyone else, I’m invisible.”
“You’re not my ghost! I never asked for a ghost. I asked for an iPod, I asked for my own cell phone, I asked for a red BMX bike with black trim. But never, on any list, at any time, anywhere, did I ever ask for a ghost,” said Billy.
“Lucky you. I show and you didn’t even have to ask. You hit the jackpot, ducky.
Hoover Porterhouse II is a fourteen year-old ghost—going on 114—with a tweaked sense of humor and a whole lot of attitude. So much ‘tude, he’s failed his celestial progress reports for 99 years. The thing is, if he doesn’t clean up his spirit-ual act fast, he’ll be haunting the same plot of ground for eternity. And the Hoove would rather die again than let that happen.
So when an obnoxious school bully sets out to trash Billy’s reputation, the Hoove swoops in with an action plan for revenge. The Hoove helps Billy find the courage to set things right, and the Billy shows the Hoove the honorable way to stand up to a bully. In the end, the Hoove’s grade in Helping Others shows improvement, Billy rules the school, and it all comes down to the Hoove’s Rule Number Forty-Two: Stay cool.
Wholesome Hilarity & A Lot More…
They had me at Ghost Buddy, and Zero to Hero clinched the deal. I had to read this book. Since I’ve already gushed written a lot about this story, I’ll keep this briefer. Here’s what makes this story special:
- The quirky characters: The cast of secondary characters are as quirkily fun as Billy and the Hoove. There’s the geeky dentist step-father with his “teeth ties”, the diva older step-sister with her own rock band, and the school-bully neighbor who has a secret you won’t believe.
- The family conflicts: The interactions between Billy, his mother, step-father, and step-sister all ring true. It’s easy to empathize with Billy and his adjustment to the new family dynamics and his new neighborhood, home, and school.
- The blast-from-the past culture clash: The colloquial language gap between the Hoove—who turned 14 ninety-nine years ago—and Billy adds an amusing layer of texture.
- The gender-neutral fun: Billy’s anxieties and dilemma’s will be as appealing to girls as they are boys. I bought this book for my eight year-old niece, and I know that she’ll love it.
- The lesson without a lecture: This story does an amazing job of addressing the topic of bullying—along with the appropriate way to stand up to a bully—with ease and grace.
Luckily, we don’t have to wait to find out what happens next…
About the Authors
Henry Winkler and Lin Olver are the New York Times Bestselling authors of the Hank Zipzer: The World’s Best Under-Achiever series.
Lin Oliver and Henry Winkler have accomplished some amazing things in their exceptional careers, but they’re most proud of the books they write for young readers.
They gave a workshop on Writing Humor at the recent Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Annual Summer Conference, that I’ll do a blog post on soon. Promise! In the mean time, you can read the Official LA13SCBWI conference blog here. [Photo by moi]
The Fonz wrote a book?
Yep, the Fonz, and more than one book too! There’s 17 books in the Hank Zipzer series, and I just discovered a 4th in the Ghost Buddy series, which totals 21. Though, I think he wrote a few more books in another series too. The Hank Zipzer series is about a kid with a learning disability–dyslexia–much like Winkler. It’s an inspiration to hear him talk about what he went through to accomplish what he has, humble and heartwarming.
Wow, that’s cool!
Eh! Sounds like a hoot.
It is! I *had* to read it before I gave it to my niece. I just HAD too. 😀
I love YA books. I’ll look in the library for these, then Amazon. Thanks. Have you read any of the Mysterious Benedict Society books. I loved them, too. Quirky gifted kids and weirdo adults…Clever writing with word puzzles for kids to figure out.
Yes, I read the first Mysterious Benedict Society book and loved it. The Margret Peterson Haddix “Missing” series is also wonderful. Great mysteries with a time travel element that puts the kids back in history. Fun and very educational. I would have loved history when I was a kid, if I’d had those books to read. 😉