Recent Reads: A Small Zombie Problem By K.G. Campbell

Source:  From Netgalley and Random House in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

A Small Zombie Problem By K.G. Campbell
Series: Zombie Problems #1
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Publication Date:  June 4, 2019

 

Format: Ebook


Rating: 

Goodreads Synopsis: 

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.

Review: 

A Small Zombie Problem is the first in a middle grade series about August DuPont. Many months ago the description hooked me with the prospect of zombies and a Tim Burton-esq flair and the book delivered. 

August is a young by living with his aunt in a run-down old house. They are barely hanging on and aunt Hydrangea is living too much in the past and also deadly afraid of butterflies. August is homeschooled and lonely, so when he is tricked out of the house he learns that he has more family nearby and is invited to tea. One thing leads to another and then a zombie shows up and august is trying his best to get rid of her with little luck.

The plot of this book, since it is the first in a series, is a lot of build up, which is nice. We learn about August and his aunt, and the overall family and their secrets and weirdness. There is conflict and some is resolved quickly but the zombie problem seems longer lasting (as the series title would suggest). The characters were interesting and quirky and I laughed at them throughout. They were over-the-top stereotypes which is annoying at times, but worked for comedic effect. 

Overall, this was a fun start to a middle grade series. It is not too spooky, but just weird enough. I think that young lovers of Halloween, the strange and unusual, and those that like zombies. Also a great choice for SPOOKY SEASON woohoo October!!