What do you think?
Rate this book
The Zombie Chasers #1
The Zombie Chasers
"An irreverent illustrated chapter book that features a ton of gore and zombie mayhem, but portrayed in such a cartoony, over-the-top style that it will make kids chuckle more than scream." (Brightly.com)
This is the first book in the heavily illustrated Zombie Chasers series by John Kloepfer. This fan-favorite is perfect for reluctant readers as well as fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries.
A sudden zombie epidemic has turned a sleepover at Zack Clarke’s house into a level three creep-over! Zack’s sister is now a zombie; his living dead, flesh-eating neighbors have wrecked his house; and he’s been left to fend them off with his sister’s snotty BFF, Madison. Luckily Zack’s nerdy pal Rice has a plan to defeat the undead…if these three zombie chasers can make it out alive.
Featuring John Kloepfer’s signature hilarious and gory descriptions and Steve Wolfhard’s hysterical black and white interior illustrations, this is an uproarious, gore-streaked kick-off to the ever-popular Zombie Chasers series!
This is the first book in the heavily illustrated Zombie Chasers series by John Kloepfer. This fan-favorite is perfect for reluctant readers as well as fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries.
A sudden zombie epidemic has turned a sleepover at Zack Clarke’s house into a level three creep-over! Zack’s sister is now a zombie; his living dead, flesh-eating neighbors have wrecked his house; and he’s been left to fend them off with his sister’s snotty BFF, Madison. Luckily Zack’s nerdy pal Rice has a plan to defeat the undead…if these three zombie chasers can make it out alive.
Featuring John Kloepfer’s signature hilarious and gory descriptions and Steve Wolfhard’s hysterical black and white interior illustrations, this is an uproarious, gore-streaked kick-off to the ever-popular Zombie Chasers series!
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 2010
103 people are currently reading
760 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
April 29, 2015
It's unusual for me to DNF a book, but this was such a horrible combination of mean-spirited and boring that I couldn't stand to waste any more time on it.
I liked the opening sentence, though.
Dusk settled over the neighborhood. The humid air was thick as pulp.
I liked the opening sentence, though.
Dusk settled over the neighborhood. The humid air was thick as pulp.
November 7, 2010
I suffered through this one because my 9 year old seemed to enjoy it so much. Personally I thought it was written for a higher reading level then the interest level would be. Then the book ended on a cliff hanger and my daughter can't wait for me to read the second one with her. Don't know if I will suffer through the second book for her or not ... but sometimes I can't help but torture myself a little for my daughters happiness.
January 24, 2021
Reading about zombies on Christmas. It's a fast read so why not
November 12, 2011
With the zombie phenomenon only gaining in popularity, I picked this book up to see a take on it for children. While I was deeply amused at parts and liked the pace and the illustrations, I found it to be a little inappropriate for its intended age range. Not because of the gooey grossness, but in some of the pop culture references and vague sexual content. Even beyond that, though, my rating ultimately came from the ending making the whole novel seem more like an anti-fast food and pro-vegan diatribe than an undead romp.
December 14, 2012
I am currently reading The Zombie Chasers by John Kloepfer. I'm at the part were Zack and Madison are in the kitchen and they hear some creepy noises coming from the bedroom and are scared. I think the author does a good job of putting a lot of details and making the book interesting because each time I read it I can't get my eyes of the book.I think me and Zack have somethings in common like we both get bothered by our sister and her friends and we both like comics.My favorite character is Zack because he is funny and brave.I think the book is going to be good and is going to have a twist at the end.I picked this book to read because people who read this book told me its a good book and I can't wait to finish it.
October 1, 2019
This was a cute story and first book in a series. I can see how a middle grader would enjoy this story and probably would enjoy continuing on with the series. The problem that I had with it was how heavily it seemed to push the agenda of vegetarian/vegan and supplements. I don't know if it was intentional, but by the end of this short book, I felt like I was listening to an add for Ginkgo Biloba.
April 3, 2017
It was amazing!
January 17, 2018
Has a lot of action, drama, and zombies! It was awesome.
November 29, 2022
It is great everything is good especially when Greg recovers from being a zombie
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2014
Originally posted on
ReadLove
All Zack wanted to do was finish the final slice of leftover birthday cake in the fridge. But life suddenly gets dangerous, and more than cake is at stake. His older sister is having a sleepover, and the girls have decided to kick off their night by taping Zack to a chair, giving him a makeover, filming the torture session, and threatening to upload it to YouTube. As if that’s not frightening enough, what started as a struggle to escape the clutches of Zoe and Company becomes a fight for survival when Zack discovers that his house is besieged by zombies!
During a long road trip, we stopped into a Barnes & Noble where I spotted this awesome little book. I’ve read YA zombie books a-plenty, but I hadn’t realized that Middle Grade authors were creating their own zombie canon for the younger crowd. Back in the car and headed home, I was so excited to discover what The Zombie Chasers had in store that I began to read it out loud. We quickly discovered this book makes the perfect read-aloud! We were happily entertained for the remainder of trip — about three hours — as I recited Zack’s zombie adventures.
Steve Wolfhard’s line drawings add to the pleasure while ramping up the creepiness quotient. I especially liked the chapter heading illustrations where each number is brought to life by an undead or two in various stages of decay. Kids will enthusiastically tear through each chapter looking forward to and relishing these and the other images that pepper the text.
Character development takes a backseat to plot which drives the story. Replete with humor, action, blood and guts, there is never a dull moment. Boys everywhere, even those reluctant to read, will be blissfully grossed out as they turn the pages. And when they’ve reached the end, which is a teaser of a cliffhanger, they’ll clamor for more!
4 of 5 hearts. A Zany Zombie Gross-Fest for the Younger Crowd. The Zombie Chasers is just the beginning of an already growing series. With subsequent titles like Undead Ahead, Sludgment Day, Empire State of Slime, Nothing Left to Ooze, and the upcoming Zombies of the Caribbean (October 7, 2014), Kloepfer will simultaneously slake his readers’ thirsts and whet their appetites. And you’ll never look at the coming Zombie Apocalypse the same way again!
All Zack wanted to do was finish the final slice of leftover birthday cake in the fridge. But life suddenly gets dangerous, and more than cake is at stake. His older sister is having a sleepover, and the girls have decided to kick off their night by taping Zack to a chair, giving him a makeover, filming the torture session, and threatening to upload it to YouTube. As if that’s not frightening enough, what started as a struggle to escape the clutches of Zoe and Company becomes a fight for survival when Zack discovers that his house is besieged by zombies!
During a long road trip, we stopped into a Barnes & Noble where I spotted this awesome little book. I’ve read YA zombie books a-plenty, but I hadn’t realized that Middle Grade authors were creating their own zombie canon for the younger crowd. Back in the car and headed home, I was so excited to discover what The Zombie Chasers had in store that I began to read it out loud. We quickly discovered this book makes the perfect read-aloud! We were happily entertained for the remainder of trip — about three hours — as I recited Zack’s zombie adventures.
Steve Wolfhard’s line drawings add to the pleasure while ramping up the creepiness quotient. I especially liked the chapter heading illustrations where each number is brought to life by an undead or two in various stages of decay. Kids will enthusiastically tear through each chapter looking forward to and relishing these and the other images that pepper the text.
Character development takes a backseat to plot which drives the story. Replete with humor, action, blood and guts, there is never a dull moment. Boys everywhere, even those reluctant to read, will be blissfully grossed out as they turn the pages. And when they’ve reached the end, which is a teaser of a cliffhanger, they’ll clamor for more!
4 of 5 hearts. A Zany Zombie Gross-Fest for the Younger Crowd. The Zombie Chasers is just the beginning of an already growing series. With subsequent titles like Undead Ahead, Sludgment Day, Empire State of Slime, Nothing Left to Ooze, and the upcoming Zombies of the Caribbean (October 7, 2014), Kloepfer will simultaneously slake his readers’ thirsts and whet their appetites. And you’ll never look at the coming Zombie Apocalypse the same way again!
December 5, 2015
The book opens with a detailed description of a little brother being kidnapped and held hostage by his sister and her friends. Like terrorists, they put a bag over his head and duct tape his arms and legs to a chair. When the bag comes off, he's staring into a webcam and being humiliated by a group of older girls who go on to post the video online and email it to the entire school.
Bullying like this is what's causing kids in real life to opt for suicide. It's not something to be written about in such a light-hearted manner. Any book that normalizes such serious behavior is not one I'd recommend, especially to the target age group of 8-12.
Bullying like this is what's causing kids in real life to opt for suicide. It's not something to be written about in such a light-hearted manner. Any book that normalizes such serious behavior is not one I'd recommend, especially to the target age group of 8-12.
February 10, 2012
This book was amazing. It is about three main charachters; Rice, Zack, and Zoe. One night all the sudden on the news there was a warning that zombies were roaming the streets. Zack and his older sister decided to stay inside because they're not sure if they believe the news. But, when Zack and Rice look out the window and see two zombies walking. Rice is a jock that likes Zacks sister Zoe. Zack and Zoe both stay inside because they are scared that there parents are in danger of becoming a zombie because their parents are out to dinner.
March 17, 2015
My 2nd graders bit off more than they could chew with this book. They insisted we buy it and read it together. We got about half-way through and they were over it. The zombies in it were mildly scary, but I think it was more the pre-teen mean girls and middle school humor my boys didn't like. They didn't get it and I was glad. Maybe we'll try this one again a few years from now, but probably not. It didn't have much literary merit.
January 13, 2015
Zack, Madison, Rice, and Greg wants to go to the tucson Tucson Air force Base, but there is to many zombies to reach there on time and also zacks sister turned into a zombie and he doesn't wanna leave her behind, so they found out that Madison is the medicine after Greg bit her, then they continued their journey trying to escape the zombies.
March 16, 2018
My daughters and I read Zombie Chasers for our book club, and I was disappointed in some of the characters' attitudes and lack of intelligence. I dislike it when the "cool kids" are mean and dumb. It sends the wrong message to impressionable tweens.
January 17, 2013
I read this because a student recommended it. Pretty enjoyable little kid's book.
December 9, 2014
It was so good! Zack's sister's friends were having a sleepover. Then they all had too run for their lives. Luckily, Zack's friend, Rice, knew lots about how to defeat zombies.
October 19, 2021
Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Well, I guess it could be afternoon or night while you're reading this, but we’re not here to tell the time. You're reading this because you want a review, so let’s get into it. I try my best (which is just sitting on the couch with my phone) to find books that make me laugh, bring me to the edge of my seat, and/or spook me out of my skin. This book has ALL THREE OF THESE, and if you're like me, then I take full pride in suggesting this book. From books like The Zombie Chasers, I learned that somehow teenagers get off better than the adults and military. And yes, it is weird that almost always only some teens survive. When I told my friend this, he had one simple answer: they’re the main characters. I fully agree with him. Anyway, this zombie skull-smashing adventure is told from the perspective of Zack, a teen that is kinda bullied by his older sister. He goes on a zombie adventure with his best friend Rice (and yes, his name is spelled the same way the food is) and his older sister's friend Madison, to get the heck out of the danger zone and find a zombie cure. Lots of crazy things happen, and many other characters are introduced. This book is perfect for some late night reading, or mid-day I’m-just-going-to-sit-on-the-couch time, and something you can read in school once you're done with your work. John Kloepfer also nails the perspective of a teenager. It’s almost like people are talking and it gets woven into this zombie world of a book series. That was my whole review! I would add more, but you would be reading a whole separate book at that point.
May 10, 2021
I'm not the target audience for this series. That would be somewhere between 9-13-year-old kids. I got this book for my 12-year-old daughter, but I picked it up one morning for a quick read as a zombie fan myself.
"The Zombie Chasers" is a unique take on zombies as the book actually explains how the zombie apocalypse started... fast food. Specifically, a Burgerdog - the hamburger that tastes like a hot dog that once eaten will turn you into a brain devouring zombie. On top of that, the young zombie chasers figure out how to cure the zombies. (Not usually found in most zombie books). This plotline does make sense, as a children's book, to not frighten the younger readers too much.
Despite its somewhat unique twist on a zombie tale, the book lacks build-up to the zombie apocalypse (it happens all at once in the first chapter) and is, at times cruel. The antagonistic "friendship" two of the four main characters (Madison and Zack) have is very mean-spirited. Zack seems to rise above Madison's quips and pokes, but I wonder why the author would have Madison continue her resentment for her friend's brother in such a cruel way. It seems bizarre when you couple that with the fact she's a frightened teenager running from zombies.
This relationship stands out to me in quite a negative way, as the story overall a very light-hearted take on zombies. The zombies can be cured. However, the tension is about Madison bullying and making fun of Zack. The tension should be their collective survival. I don't get that choice.
"The Zombie Chasers" is a unique take on zombies as the book actually explains how the zombie apocalypse started... fast food. Specifically, a Burgerdog - the hamburger that tastes like a hot dog that once eaten will turn you into a brain devouring zombie. On top of that, the young zombie chasers figure out how to cure the zombies. (Not usually found in most zombie books). This plotline does make sense, as a children's book, to not frighten the younger readers too much.
Despite its somewhat unique twist on a zombie tale, the book lacks build-up to the zombie apocalypse (it happens all at once in the first chapter) and is, at times cruel. The antagonistic "friendship" two of the four main characters (Madison and Zack) have is very mean-spirited. Zack seems to rise above Madison's quips and pokes, but I wonder why the author would have Madison continue her resentment for her friend's brother in such a cruel way. It seems bizarre when you couple that with the fact she's a frightened teenager running from zombies.
This relationship stands out to me in quite a negative way, as the story overall a very light-hearted take on zombies. The zombies can be cured. However, the tension is about Madison bullying and making fun of Zack. The tension should be their collective survival. I don't get that choice.
May 9, 2024
This book was excellent. John Kloepfer did an outstanding job portraying the characters and their unique descriptions. The story of the book was well thought out making sure it was action-packed but also scary and funny at the same time. Details in this book made it so much better you can see the whole setting in your eyes.
There isn't a whole lot I would say negative about this book but there are a couple of things. Those being some of the word choices were a little obscure and adjective. Sometimes the book seemed to go too fast and the theme changed while in the same scene. Other than that this book was an overall 5-star amazing book would recommend to all ages 6-16.
There isn't a whole lot I would say negative about this book but there are a couple of things. Those being some of the word choices were a little obscure and adjective. Sometimes the book seemed to go too fast and the theme changed while in the same scene. Other than that this book was an overall 5-star amazing book would recommend to all ages 6-16.
September 7, 2017
Looking for a series to read with the kids, this hits the mark, and pleases my zombie needs.
Its a middle school aged version of The Walking Dead. Very gross, with cool pictures. Almost a little too realistic, but bashing in brains is what comes with a zombie apocalypse.
Will have to say that the bullies in this book are mean, and just terrible. Are there bullies still that bad? They are text book terrible. At times it makes me worry about the kids reading this, definitely a “don’t you ever do or act this way”.
Interesting characters, and looking forward to the next book.
Its a middle school aged version of The Walking Dead. Very gross, with cool pictures. Almost a little too realistic, but bashing in brains is what comes with a zombie apocalypse.
Will have to say that the bullies in this book are mean, and just terrible. Are there bullies still that bad? They are text book terrible. At times it makes me worry about the kids reading this, definitely a “don’t you ever do or act this way”.
Interesting characters, and looking forward to the next book.
August 17, 2023
I give this a three because even though I was interested in the zombies, the story did not have me into it that much. I had mix feeling of boredom and excitement because of how the story was. It barely had the details that hook you in. The book was leaving me with the question, how did the zombies start? That did not match the one thing that was stuck in my mind through the book how he came back from school, his sister was there bullying him. After she locked him up she disappeared and is a zombie now. It is making me wonder about, how did it start?
June 10, 2025
I don’t recommend this book and don’t think it should be in school libraries.
My 8 year old brought this home from school and in the first three chapters alone:
1. Product mentions - Volvo, Rice Dream, Transformers, YouTube
2. Kids telling each other to “shut up” repeatedly.
3. Innuendo - a tween boy wishing he had the chance to watch his best friend’s older sister and her friends play Twister.
4. A mock hostage scene (a teen putting a bag over the head of a tween, duct taping him to a chair and posting footage on social media).
My 8 year old brought this home from school and in the first three chapters alone:
1. Product mentions - Volvo, Rice Dream, Transformers, YouTube
2. Kids telling each other to “shut up” repeatedly.
3. Innuendo - a tween boy wishing he had the chance to watch his best friend’s older sister and her friends play Twister.
4. A mock hostage scene (a teen putting a bag over the head of a tween, duct taping him to a chair and posting footage on social media).
October 18, 2017
This book is really funny the zombie chaser is about a kid named Zack Clark who is really sad and he is annoyed with his sister and her friends. His sisters and friends came to his for sleepover and they took a video of his sister torturing him and putting makeup on him. They where alone and the zombie apocalypse stated and everyone became zombies except for his sisters friend Maddison and Zack Clark and that's how the story started. This book is easy to read and it has many pictures
September 27, 2022
No entiendo por qué hay malas calificaciones de este libro, es un libro infantil, se debe leer con ese criterio. Es cómo que lea un clásico pensando que es un cómic, obviamente me parecerá aburrido.
Para mí, fue lindo volver a ser una niña por unos momentos, releer lo que me gustaba. Recuerdo que era uno de mis libros favoritos, en realidad es bastante entretenido.
Para mí, fue lindo volver a ser una niña por unos momentos, releer lo que me gustaba. Recuerdo que era uno de mis libros favoritos, en realidad es bastante entretenido.
June 13, 2017
This was an amazing idea of an book, but there was some flaws with the book ideas. Like that when there is some drama, the book like to take away the drama and put the drama in pictures. That is why that the book only gets a 4 star rating instead of 5 star. I love the book. It was amazing.
August 12, 2019
This book is about when Zack Clarke gets kidnapped and harrassed by his sister with makeup,his life gets worse. A completely ridiculous and funny zombie apocalypse that came from the new fast food restaurant called Burgerdog that is a burger that tastes like a hot dog makes his entire neighborhood turn into Zombieville. It is up to him,her sister's friend Madison Miller and his best friend Rice to survive and find the reason and cure for the Zombie apocalypse. I think that this book is a ridiculous and very funny book that is supposed to make children think that Zombies are supposed to be scary but instead make them crack up with laughter.
November 10, 2020
This is totally a book you can read straight through and still be immersed. I like the illustrations and the characters. I will definitely be reading the whole series if it keeps up with this style of writing.
July 17, 2022
An excellent story with great descriptions that were enough to make me go 'ew' while listening to my son read. It's a gripping story, while goofy, is engaging enough that I wanted to know what happened next. My son still loves the series and continues to reread it.
September 8, 2022
Excellently written with some fantastic illustrations. I have some history with the book (read it over a decade ago at this point) and lived in Tucson so this one hits close to home (literally). Love it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews