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Ghost Buddy #1
Zero to Hero
A hilarious new series from Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver, authors of the bestselling HANK ZIPZER books!
Billy Broccoli is new to the neighborhood, and wants cool friends and a spot on the baseball team more than anything. But the one thing he never wanted is his own personal ghost. So imagine his surprise when he ends up sharing a room with Hoover Porterhouse, a funny ghost with a whole lot of attitude.
When an obnoxious school bully sets out to demolish Billy, the Hoove comes up with a plan for revenge. It’s all in the Hoove’s Rule Number Forty-Two: Stay cool. And like it or not, Billy and the Hoove have to stick together if Billy ever wants to get in style, get even, and conquer the school.
Billy Broccoli is new to the neighborhood, and wants cool friends and a spot on the baseball team more than anything. But the one thing he never wanted is his own personal ghost. So imagine his surprise when he ends up sharing a room with Hoover Porterhouse, a funny ghost with a whole lot of attitude.
When an obnoxious school bully sets out to demolish Billy, the Hoove comes up with a plan for revenge. It’s all in the Hoove’s Rule Number Forty-Two: Stay cool. And like it or not, Billy and the Hoove have to stick together if Billy ever wants to get in style, get even, and conquer the school.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
37 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
About the author
Henry Winkler
114 books560 followersHenry Winkler is instantly recognizable and admired by audiences of all ages for his role as the Fonz on the long-running series, Happy Days. In addition, he is an award-winning producer and director of family and children's programming. He is also the author of the critically-acclaimed Hank Zipzer series, which follows the everyday adventures of a bright boy with learning challenges.
Mr. Winkler has also continued his acting career on the big screen, including a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in Nightshift, a starring role in the box-office hit Scream, and co-starring roles in The Water Boy, and Holes. On television, he has guest-starred on ABC's The Practice and NBC's Law & Order: SVU. He recently starred on Broadway for nine months in Neil Simon's play The Dinner Party.
Mr. Winkler is deeply committed to children's welfare and works with numerous children's groups. He is involved with The MacLaren Children's Center (a facility for abused children), The National Committee for Arts for the Handicapped, The Special Olympics, and The Los Angeles Music Center's Very Special Arts Festival, as well as numerous teenage alcohol and drug abuse programs. He is a founding member of the Children's Action Network, a non-profit organization that sponsors informational briefings for writers, producers and directors on children's issues and serves as a clearing-house for the entertainment industry on children's issues.
Mr. Winkler has also continued his acting career on the big screen, including a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in Nightshift, a starring role in the box-office hit Scream, and co-starring roles in The Water Boy, and Holes. On television, he has guest-starred on ABC's The Practice and NBC's Law & Order: SVU. He recently starred on Broadway for nine months in Neil Simon's play The Dinner Party.
Mr. Winkler is deeply committed to children's welfare and works with numerous children's groups. He is involved with The MacLaren Children's Center (a facility for abused children), The National Committee for Arts for the Handicapped, The Special Olympics, and The Los Angeles Music Center's Very Special Arts Festival, as well as numerous teenage alcohol and drug abuse programs. He is a founding member of the Children's Action Network, a non-profit organization that sponsors informational briefings for writers, producers and directors on children's issues and serves as a clearing-house for the entertainment industry on children's issues.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
December 9, 2015
Short enough to finish quickly, but I wasn't enthralled. I liked Henry Winkler's "note" at the end. Inspiring.
April 19, 2012
Scholastic sent me a copy of this book because I'm speaking with Henry Winkler at their International Reading Association Scholastic Book Clubs breakfast, and I always like to read other writers' books before we work together. GHOST BUDDY: ZERO TO HERO is the first in a new series from Winkler and SCBWI's Lin Oliver, who also co-authored the Hank Zipper series. The premise? A kid moves to a new house and discovers a smooth-talking, baseball-loving, hundred-year-old ghost living in his closet. The ghost, named Hoover, or "The Hoove" for short, helps protagonist Billy Broccoli deal with a neighborhood bully in this first installment. If "The Hoove" sounds a little like "The Fonz" to you, you'll get a sense for the flavor of his funny ghostly dialogue (which I couldn't help hearing in Winkler's "Happy Days" voice...kept expecting the ghost to say "Ayyyy!" with a thumbs up.) Full of fun twists and snappy lines, this is a quick, funny read that should appeal to boys in grades 3-5 as well as older reluctant readers.
October 8, 2018
A fun great read, that I found very entertaining. My local library's web page, has were you can download audiobooks from their web page. Luckily, they have three of the books on there. It was a happy surprise, to hear Henry Winkler's voice, reading this one, he does a great job with his reading and delivers a hilarious performance with his reading. The two boys in the story, Billy Broccoli and his ghost friend, Hoover Porterhouse the Third, who likes to be also known, as the "Hoove" for short, are two fun characters, that the readers will love to read about.
October 30, 2018
Very entertaining! No one tells a story like Henry Winkler. Also today, October 30, is Henry's birthday. If you follow him on Twitter wish him a Happy Birthday!
March 12, 2013
I must admit this is not the sort of book I normally read as it is aimed at a much younger audience than the books I read however I must say I really enjoyed it.
I picked this up recently because I had the opportunity to meet the author at an event with my local book group. For those of you who haven't made the connection this book is written by Henry Winkler who is more better known as the actor who played the Fonz in Happy Days. He is dyslexic and co writes this series to raise awareness of dyslexia and learning difficulties and to encourage youngsters that while they might not be the best at Maths or English there is something inside of them that they are brilliant at and their job is to work out what they gift is. Quite honestly I have never been so inspired at an event like this after listening to Henry's take on the world and the way he has learn to find ways around his difficulties to become to success he is.
Hank Zipzer has a lot of similarities to Henry. He lives in New York. He's clever but not in a traditionally academic way which means he is labeled at school as being lazy and dumb by his teachers when this is far from the case. In this particular instalment Hank decides to work round his learning difficulties and take a more unorthodox approach at completing a homework assignment set by his teacher. I won't tell you too much about the plot but I will say it both made me laugh as I got to meet Hank and his friends and opened my eyes a little wider to the difficulties he faced as a direct result of his dyslexia.
A highly recommended read as it is so insightful but also brilliantly funny and certainly a book which appeal highly to both your stronger and more reluctant readers
I picked this up recently because I had the opportunity to meet the author at an event with my local book group. For those of you who haven't made the connection this book is written by Henry Winkler who is more better known as the actor who played the Fonz in Happy Days. He is dyslexic and co writes this series to raise awareness of dyslexia and learning difficulties and to encourage youngsters that while they might not be the best at Maths or English there is something inside of them that they are brilliant at and their job is to work out what they gift is. Quite honestly I have never been so inspired at an event like this after listening to Henry's take on the world and the way he has learn to find ways around his difficulties to become to success he is.
Hank Zipzer has a lot of similarities to Henry. He lives in New York. He's clever but not in a traditionally academic way which means he is labeled at school as being lazy and dumb by his teachers when this is far from the case. In this particular instalment Hank decides to work round his learning difficulties and take a more unorthodox approach at completing a homework assignment set by his teacher. I won't tell you too much about the plot but I will say it both made me laugh as I got to meet Hank and his friends and opened my eyes a little wider to the difficulties he faced as a direct result of his dyslexia.
A highly recommended read as it is so insightful but also brilliantly funny and certainly a book which appeal highly to both your stronger and more reluctant readers
August 9, 2013
Billy Broccoli is moving into a new house now that his mother has just married Dr. Bennett Fielding. Billy is not happy about moving, and he doesn't want to get out of the car. Unfortunately while sitting in the car, Billy meets Rod Brownstone, the neighborhood bully. Soon after, Billy discovers his new room is pink and purple and it even comes with a resident ghost, Hoover Porterhouse the Third. Apparently, Billy needs help from Hoover to stand up to Rod the bully, be cool in school and catch the eye of Ruby Baker, the girl with the bouncing blond ponytail. In return for helping Billy, Hoover gets good grades on his report card from the Higher Ups, and a chance to be able to leave the boundaries of the ranch where he lived and died 99 years ago. The premise of this story is a little far-fetched and silly, the ghost is not at all scary but the ending is satisfying. Readers will be attracted by the ghost in this story, but I'm not sure they will stick with the story to see how it ends.
October 25, 2014
Booklist (December 15, 2011 (Vol. 108, No. 8))
Grades 3-6. Soon-to-be sixth-grader Billy Broccoli has a new family (his mother has recently remarried), a new school, and a new room, which unfortunately still bears the pink pony wallpaper of its previous occupant. It also comes with its own ghost, Hoover Porterhouse. “The Hoove” is everything that Billy is not: confident, mischievous, and gifted with fashion sense (well, for 99 years ago). The Hoove is also in danger of failing his ghost exams if he cannot pass Responsibility and Helping Others. Billy’s goals, on the other hand, are to avoid public humiliation and make some friends. Can the two boys, who are initially at odds, learn to cooperate and help each other reach their goals? Much like Billy and Hoover’s relationship, the series is a work in progress as it lays the groundwork for future installments. Billy and Hoover have a snappy repartee, although the Hoove sometimes sounds more modern than turn of the twentieth century. Billy is a likable protagonist whose trials and tribulations should resonate with middle-school boys. This odd couple shows promise.
Horn Book (Spring 2013)
Billy Broccoli's new house is inhabited by teenage ghost Hoover Porterhouse. Hoove helps Billy navigate a new school and defeat a nasty bully (Zero); second installment Mind finds Billy, with Hoove's help, convincing classmates that he's a mind-reader, but Billy opts for a less impressive (honest) feat in a competition. Billy and Hoove's snarky repartee make these books' lessons go down easy. [Review covers these Ghost Buddy titles: Mind if I Read Your Mind? and Zero to Hero.]
Kirkus Reviews (November 15, 2011)
Eleven-year-old Billy Broccoli's move up to middle school is complicated by a teenage ghost determined to give him lessons in how to be cool. The nerdy lad already has a lot on his plate: new house (with a bedroom done up in pink and lavender), new stepfather and prickly older stepsister, new school whose principal is his mother and nosy, bullying schoolmate Rod Brownstone for a next-door neighbor. It is understandable, then, that he's only temporarily freaked out when hyperconfident former jock Hoover "The Hoove" Porterhouse III, a ghost killed 99 years ago, swims into view and grandly announces that Billy is his special project. It seems that the Hoove has just one more year to pull up his failing celestial grades in "Responsibility" and "Helping Others" or be tied to that house and surrounding property forever--a fate worse than, well.... As it happens, the schooling goes both ways, and by the end not only has Billy been guided away from wearing fart-joke T-shirts and taking tuna sandwiches for lunch, he's shown the Hoove a better way to get Brownstone off his case than responding in kind when the bully engineers a public humiliation. A purposeful but not simplistic opener from the creators of the Hank Zipzer series. (Fantasy. 10-12)
Library Media Connection (May/June 2012)
Billy Brocolli's mother has just married a dentist with a teenage daughter. For Billy, middle school is awkward enough without his mother being the principal, a bully, a stepsister, and his own klutziness. The book opens with the move into a new house, and Billy ends up with a pink and lavender room with a ghost who adds to the hijinks of the story. Hoover Porterhouse III, died in the orange grove on the property 99 years ago when he was the same age as Billy. The story will amuse younger readers, reluctant readers, and high-interest, low reading ability older readers, particularly boys. This being the first in the series, it ends with the promise of more adventures. Kay Evey, Teacher-Librarian, Tukwila (Washington) Elementary School. RECOMMENDED.
Publishers Weekly (October 31, 2011)
Hank Zipzer collaborators Winkler and Oliver launch the Ghost Buddy series, introducing an endearingly uncool hero with the dorky name of Billy Broccoli. Despite his acute clumsiness and preference for wearing fart-themed T-shirts, Billy is articulate, witty, and good-hearted. None of which, unfortunately, will win him popularity in his new middle school, especially since his mother is the principal. This new series would fall clearly into the genre of silly realistic fiction were it not for the presence of a 113-year-old ghost, Hoover Porterhouse, into whose room Billy has just moved, and who undertakes the task of turning Billy into a hip and agile 11-year-old. After Billy's initial fright, he accepts the ghost's company and guidance while Hoover, forever age 14, struggles with his own ghostly goals. An amusing cast of broadly drawn secondary characters play their expected roles-snobby older half-sister, embarrassing mother and stepfather, pretty and kind classmate, and neighborhood bully with an embarrassing secret. Readers will root for Billy to conquer his klutziness as well as the bully; his final feel-good triumph is satisfying. Ages 8-12. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
School Library Journal (April 1, 2012)
Gr 3-5-Eleven-year-old Billy Broccoli's name is only the start of his problems in the coolness department. He's also plagued by a fondness for T-shirts with fart jokes on them, and he has the grace of a clown with two left feet. Now he is starting at a new school, and his supreme dorkiness is sure to cause him trouble. Fortunately, he has an ally: the ghost of 12-year-old Hoover Porterhouse III, who is stuck haunting the house that Billy's family has just moved into. Hoover is the sultan of cool and coaches Billy on what to wear and how to act. Despite his best efforts, though, the boy's first days of school are disastrous, mostly due to a bully named Rod Brownstone. Hoover calls for revenge, but in the end Billy manages to stand up to Rod. Billy is still nerdy at the story's conclusion, but it looks as though Hoover will be sticking around, which means that there may be hope for him yet. This title is chock-full of nuggets that will have boys cheering, from the grossness of Billy's embalmed tonsil to the hilarity of Rod's attachment to his baby blanket. What's more, parents and educators will cheer when Billy stands up to Rod without resorting to bullying tactics. Readers may wonder how Hoover died, but hopefully the authors will reveal more about the sassy apparition as the series progresses.-Amy Holland, Irondequoit Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Grades 3-6. Soon-to-be sixth-grader Billy Broccoli has a new family (his mother has recently remarried), a new school, and a new room, which unfortunately still bears the pink pony wallpaper of its previous occupant. It also comes with its own ghost, Hoover Porterhouse. “The Hoove” is everything that Billy is not: confident, mischievous, and gifted with fashion sense (well, for 99 years ago). The Hoove is also in danger of failing his ghost exams if he cannot pass Responsibility and Helping Others. Billy’s goals, on the other hand, are to avoid public humiliation and make some friends. Can the two boys, who are initially at odds, learn to cooperate and help each other reach their goals? Much like Billy and Hoover’s relationship, the series is a work in progress as it lays the groundwork for future installments. Billy and Hoover have a snappy repartee, although the Hoove sometimes sounds more modern than turn of the twentieth century. Billy is a likable protagonist whose trials and tribulations should resonate with middle-school boys. This odd couple shows promise.
Horn Book (Spring 2013)
Billy Broccoli's new house is inhabited by teenage ghost Hoover Porterhouse. Hoove helps Billy navigate a new school and defeat a nasty bully (Zero); second installment Mind finds Billy, with Hoove's help, convincing classmates that he's a mind-reader, but Billy opts for a less impressive (honest) feat in a competition. Billy and Hoove's snarky repartee make these books' lessons go down easy. [Review covers these Ghost Buddy titles: Mind if I Read Your Mind? and Zero to Hero.]
Kirkus Reviews (November 15, 2011)
Eleven-year-old Billy Broccoli's move up to middle school is complicated by a teenage ghost determined to give him lessons in how to be cool. The nerdy lad already has a lot on his plate: new house (with a bedroom done up in pink and lavender), new stepfather and prickly older stepsister, new school whose principal is his mother and nosy, bullying schoolmate Rod Brownstone for a next-door neighbor. It is understandable, then, that he's only temporarily freaked out when hyperconfident former jock Hoover "The Hoove" Porterhouse III, a ghost killed 99 years ago, swims into view and grandly announces that Billy is his special project. It seems that the Hoove has just one more year to pull up his failing celestial grades in "Responsibility" and "Helping Others" or be tied to that house and surrounding property forever--a fate worse than, well.... As it happens, the schooling goes both ways, and by the end not only has Billy been guided away from wearing fart-joke T-shirts and taking tuna sandwiches for lunch, he's shown the Hoove a better way to get Brownstone off his case than responding in kind when the bully engineers a public humiliation. A purposeful but not simplistic opener from the creators of the Hank Zipzer series. (Fantasy. 10-12)
Library Media Connection (May/June 2012)
Billy Brocolli's mother has just married a dentist with a teenage daughter. For Billy, middle school is awkward enough without his mother being the principal, a bully, a stepsister, and his own klutziness. The book opens with the move into a new house, and Billy ends up with a pink and lavender room with a ghost who adds to the hijinks of the story. Hoover Porterhouse III, died in the orange grove on the property 99 years ago when he was the same age as Billy. The story will amuse younger readers, reluctant readers, and high-interest, low reading ability older readers, particularly boys. This being the first in the series, it ends with the promise of more adventures. Kay Evey, Teacher-Librarian, Tukwila (Washington) Elementary School. RECOMMENDED.
Publishers Weekly (October 31, 2011)
Hank Zipzer collaborators Winkler and Oliver launch the Ghost Buddy series, introducing an endearingly uncool hero with the dorky name of Billy Broccoli. Despite his acute clumsiness and preference for wearing fart-themed T-shirts, Billy is articulate, witty, and good-hearted. None of which, unfortunately, will win him popularity in his new middle school, especially since his mother is the principal. This new series would fall clearly into the genre of silly realistic fiction were it not for the presence of a 113-year-old ghost, Hoover Porterhouse, into whose room Billy has just moved, and who undertakes the task of turning Billy into a hip and agile 11-year-old. After Billy's initial fright, he accepts the ghost's company and guidance while Hoover, forever age 14, struggles with his own ghostly goals. An amusing cast of broadly drawn secondary characters play their expected roles-snobby older half-sister, embarrassing mother and stepfather, pretty and kind classmate, and neighborhood bully with an embarrassing secret. Readers will root for Billy to conquer his klutziness as well as the bully; his final feel-good triumph is satisfying. Ages 8-12. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
School Library Journal (April 1, 2012)
Gr 3-5-Eleven-year-old Billy Broccoli's name is only the start of his problems in the coolness department. He's also plagued by a fondness for T-shirts with fart jokes on them, and he has the grace of a clown with two left feet. Now he is starting at a new school, and his supreme dorkiness is sure to cause him trouble. Fortunately, he has an ally: the ghost of 12-year-old Hoover Porterhouse III, who is stuck haunting the house that Billy's family has just moved into. Hoover is the sultan of cool and coaches Billy on what to wear and how to act. Despite his best efforts, though, the boy's first days of school are disastrous, mostly due to a bully named Rod Brownstone. Hoover calls for revenge, but in the end Billy manages to stand up to Rod. Billy is still nerdy at the story's conclusion, but it looks as though Hoover will be sticking around, which means that there may be hope for him yet. This title is chock-full of nuggets that will have boys cheering, from the grossness of Billy's embalmed tonsil to the hilarity of Rod's attachment to his baby blanket. What's more, parents and educators will cheer when Billy stands up to Rod without resorting to bullying tactics. Readers may wonder how Hoover died, but hopefully the authors will reveal more about the sassy apparition as the series progresses.-Amy Holland, Irondequoit Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2021
Ceritanya ngalir dan seru. Karakternya juga lucu. Sayang, agak terganggu dengan endingnya. Hei, kan rencana balas dendamnya sudah dipersiapkan dengan mantep :)) tapi nilai moral yg dibawa bagus. Rod nya aja yang brengsek.
September 25, 2012
Zero to Hero is the 1st in the new Ghost Buddy series by Henry Winkler, the author of the Hank Zipzer series. There are two main characters: (1) 11-year-old Billy Broccoli who has just moved to a new home in a different school district where he will be attending a new middle school--the one at which his newly re-married mother is principal; and (2) Hoover Porterhouse, a 14-year-old ghost who died 99 years ago and lives in the room Billy has inherited in the new house.
The initial friction between the two boys is mild, based originally on the ghost/living human difference as opposed to differing personalities. Billy is quieter, more likely to allow others to push him around without saying anything. Hoover is the opposite: brash, confident and unlikely to let any derogatory comment or behavior go by without confronting the person behind it.
I thought the story moved in fits and starts. It would just start to get interesting, the pace would pick up and I would begin to care about what happened to Billy or Hoover and then it would sort of trail off. This pattern repeated throughout the book. There also seemed to be difficulty deciding who would tell the story--Billy or Hoover. The narrative was most successful when one distinct narrator was chosen; the transitions between alternating narrative were the places where the author tended to lose my attention.
What sets this book apart from the dozens like it is Billy's character. Billy is bullied, harassed and ultimately humiliated by fellow student, Rod Brownstone, his next door neighbor. With Hoover's help Billy discovers a secret that will completely humiliate Rod. Billy has every reason to go through with his plan for revenge: what Rod has done to him was extremely hurtful and--truthfully--there is a certain kind of justice in the idea of paying someone back with the exact same hurt they visited upon you. Billy, however, has a moment when he sees beyond simply paying Rod back one unkindness for another. He makes a choice that allows him to stand up for himself, have Rod rightfully experience some of the same feelings he inflicted on Billy, himself, and at the same time allows him to remain true to his values of kindness and respect.
Although I thought this first book was just "okay," I did find myself liking Billy and Hoover by the end. I think there is potential in the coming books of the series to see the action/pacing even out to maintain a consistently higher interest level for the reader. This series is probably best enjoyed by 3-6th graders. If you enjoy the Hank Zipzer series, you might want to check this one out as an independent read.
Teachers: this could work as a nice read-aloud if you are looking for a story that has humor laced into a message about how to handle bullying and conflict resolution, for the reason that Billy does NOT end up relying only on his impulses to REACT to a problem. He comes up with a better (though by no means perfect) solution.
The initial friction between the two boys is mild, based originally on the ghost/living human difference as opposed to differing personalities. Billy is quieter, more likely to allow others to push him around without saying anything. Hoover is the opposite: brash, confident and unlikely to let any derogatory comment or behavior go by without confronting the person behind it.
I thought the story moved in fits and starts. It would just start to get interesting, the pace would pick up and I would begin to care about what happened to Billy or Hoover and then it would sort of trail off. This pattern repeated throughout the book. There also seemed to be difficulty deciding who would tell the story--Billy or Hoover. The narrative was most successful when one distinct narrator was chosen; the transitions between alternating narrative were the places where the author tended to lose my attention.
What sets this book apart from the dozens like it is Billy's character. Billy is bullied, harassed and ultimately humiliated by fellow student, Rod Brownstone, his next door neighbor. With Hoover's help Billy discovers a secret that will completely humiliate Rod. Billy has every reason to go through with his plan for revenge: what Rod has done to him was extremely hurtful and--truthfully--there is a certain kind of justice in the idea of paying someone back with the exact same hurt they visited upon you. Billy, however, has a moment when he sees beyond simply paying Rod back one unkindness for another. He makes a choice that allows him to stand up for himself, have Rod rightfully experience some of the same feelings he inflicted on Billy, himself, and at the same time allows him to remain true to his values of kindness and respect.
Although I thought this first book was just "okay," I did find myself liking Billy and Hoover by the end. I think there is potential in the coming books of the series to see the action/pacing even out to maintain a consistently higher interest level for the reader. This series is probably best enjoyed by 3-6th graders. If you enjoy the Hank Zipzer series, you might want to check this one out as an independent read.
Teachers: this could work as a nice read-aloud if you are looking for a story that has humor laced into a message about how to handle bullying and conflict resolution, for the reason that Billy does NOT end up relying only on his impulses to REACT to a problem. He comes up with a better (though by no means perfect) solution.
April 22, 2012
In years past, I have had reluctant boy readers read Henry Winkler's other books. I have only read parts of them, because generally, humorous books don't keep my attention, but the books have been good for those boys that enjoy humor and they are able to relate to the main character's feelings. I read a review for this new series he is writing with Lin Oliver and I thought of a few boys in my class that might like it. I bought the book and read it. I enjoyed the book. It is an easy to read story about a boy who isn't very popular or "cool". He has just moved to a new place. His mother is the middle school principal where he is going to go to school. He has all kinds of ways in which he needs to improve in order to "fit" in at school. Coming to the rescue is one "used to be cool" ghost who has not earned his right to move on yet and is instructed to help this kid out. Hoover, the ghost, tries to help Billy by giving him pointers and helping him with a bully at school. In the end, Billy works things out and the way he does it, is more impressive than what the ghost wanted him to do. Rather than embarrassing a kid, he negotiated a truce. I liked how this book dealt with the problems some kids face because of mean kids and how a nice kid could turn things around. I also thought that since Billy was kind of awkward and not really all that cool, that this book might help with that same feeling children might have and they might be able to relate to the story. I am looking forward to the next books in this series. Billy is 11-going on 12 and kids that age might enjoy reading this book, but I also think 9-10 year-olds will enjoy it too. Even thought it is a boy character and I think boys would like it, this book can be enjoyed by girls. It has a good message.
March 2, 2012
Eleven year old Billy Broccoli not only had to move to a new house with his mom and new stepdad, he has to start a new school, make new friends and deal with new bully who also happens to be his next door neighbor. Luckily for Billy, his new room comes with it's own teenage ghost who's been stuck there for over one hundred years. Sounds cool right? Who wouldn't want to have a young friendly ghost for a friend. This ghost is named, "The Hoove", and he's out to help Billy over come mean bullies and find the confidence he needs to make this year the best yet.
Billy is one of those characters you can't help but love. He's klutzy, he's funny, nice and he's trying to figure out how to navigate through his current stage in life. The Hoove is an adventurous, fun loving, loyal ghost who will do all that he can to help Billy, especially when Rod, aka the Bully bullies Billy. Out to make Rod realize he's not this big macho he thinks he is, The Hoove does a little scary of his own with Rod and helps Billy stand up for himself. Zero to Hero is such an enjoyable, fast paced read with a great message in it for young readers. There's plenty of laugh out loud moments, fun twists, and moments that young readers will easily identify with. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Billy is one of those characters you can't help but love. He's klutzy, he's funny, nice and he's trying to figure out how to navigate through his current stage in life. The Hoove is an adventurous, fun loving, loyal ghost who will do all that he can to help Billy, especially when Rod, aka the Bully bullies Billy. Out to make Rod realize he's not this big macho he thinks he is, The Hoove does a little scary of his own with Rod and helps Billy stand up for himself. Zero to Hero is such an enjoyable, fast paced read with a great message in it for young readers. There's plenty of laugh out loud moments, fun twists, and moments that young readers will easily identify with. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
September 18, 2012
I must admit I am a big fan of this writing team. When I found out they had launched a new series with Scholastic I was overjoyed. But once I found out more about the new series I was a little nervous. A story about a ghost roommate could go either way. I should not have been worried. If the rest of the series is as good as this book, we are in for some amazing reads.
In this first book we are introduced to Billy Broccoli and Hoover Porterhouse. Billy has moved because his mother has remained. Billy has never been the most popular and starting at a new school where his mother is principal does not look like it will begin well. But the weekend before school starts he meets Hoover; Hoover has been a ghost for 99 years. And he only has one year left to pass Ghost School or he will be stuck on his family's piece of property for his entire afterlife. But for some strange reason Billy and Porter hit it off, and when things start going bad for Billy at school, Porter steps in.
This was a great story, in part about bullying, friendship, blended families, and all about growing up. It was a great fun read and I look forward to more books in the series.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the author on my blog Book Reviews and More.
In this first book we are introduced to Billy Broccoli and Hoover Porterhouse. Billy has moved because his mother has remained. Billy has never been the most popular and starting at a new school where his mother is principal does not look like it will begin well. But the weekend before school starts he meets Hoover; Hoover has been a ghost for 99 years. And he only has one year left to pass Ghost School or he will be stuck on his family's piece of property for his entire afterlife. But for some strange reason Billy and Porter hit it off, and when things start going bad for Billy at school, Porter steps in.
This was a great story, in part about bullying, friendship, blended families, and all about growing up. It was a great fun read and I look forward to more books in the series.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the author on my blog Book Reviews and More.
March 28, 2013
Billy Broccoli's mom remarried and now they are moving into a new neighborhood. All Billy wants to do is get onto the baseball team and make some new friends. When one night, Billy's clothes begin to float in the closet and now he is sharing his room with a ninety-nine year old child ghost named Hoover "Hoove" Porterhouse. Hoove has taken Billy on as his pet project because until he can impress the "higher ups" by getting passing marks on haunting, invisibility and especially on helping others, Hoove can't leave the boundaries of his families house. Hoove makes it his mission to help Billy get on the baseball team and win over some friends. Only problem is the school bully Rod has it out for Billy and Hoove's plan to deal with him may be more then Billy bargained for.
I really enjoyed this first book there are some nice contrasts between a boy who is less confident, a little clumsy and a more rambunctious ghost boy. The language is on target for this younger grade level and a story that while slower in some parts has some very nice messages about doing the right thing, how to handle a bully and overcoming ones fears. Probably geared for second graders or the struggling reader.
I really enjoyed this first book there are some nice contrasts between a boy who is less confident, a little clumsy and a more rambunctious ghost boy. The language is on target for this younger grade level and a story that while slower in some parts has some very nice messages about doing the right thing, how to handle a bully and overcoming ones fears. Probably geared for second graders or the struggling reader.
November 28, 2011
Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver have had a smashing success with their Hank Zipper series (17 books!), but now they are trying out a new series called Ghost Buddy. It stars Billy Broccoli, eleven gong on twelve, about to start junior high, and moving into a big new house with his mother and his new step-dad and step-sister who is a year older than him. And to top it all off, his new bedroom is haunted! By the 14 year old spirit of Hoover Porterhouse, a student ghost who has failed to "move up" because he hasn't been very good at helping people (a MUST for moving up). At first it seems like a terrible thing to be roomies with a ghost, but it does seem that "The Hoove" could help him gain some confidence (including some "Fonzieish" type social coaching), and maybe get even with the next door bully who has made his life miserable since his toe first hit the ground at the new house. This story moves along nicely, has plenty of humor and even a good lesson or two thrown in. I don't see any reason why this series won't be just as successful as their first.
March 12, 2012
Jake's Review: This book is a little too boring and I think its for younger kids than me. I also don't like books with Ghost's in them (mom's note: um Jake you have 10 goosebumps books). Ok mom I just don't want to read this book. Do I have to read it?
Jake's Rating: 4/10
Mom's Review: The Fonz co-wrote this -- I know I am a nerd, but I think that is pretty cool. I agree with Jake it is definitely more suited for a younger audience (he is 10). So I didn't make Jake finish the book since there is nothing worse than being forced to read something you don't like (Hello Canadian public schools 12 year old kids HATE Margaret Laurence's The Stone Angel -- it is dull and depressing). I thought it was a funny story that was fast paced and not at all boring. Good moral lessons thrown in, without being too obvious. Billy is a likeable kid that most middle grade boys can relate to. These books will definitely be in high use at most school and public libraries. I even laughed out loud a couple of times!
Mom's Rating: 8/10
Jake's Rating: 4/10
Mom's Review: The Fonz co-wrote this -- I know I am a nerd, but I think that is pretty cool. I agree with Jake it is definitely more suited for a younger audience (he is 10). So I didn't make Jake finish the book since there is nothing worse than being forced to read something you don't like (Hello Canadian public schools 12 year old kids HATE Margaret Laurence's The Stone Angel -- it is dull and depressing). I thought it was a funny story that was fast paced and not at all boring. Good moral lessons thrown in, without being too obvious. Billy is a likeable kid that most middle grade boys can relate to. These books will definitely be in high use at most school and public libraries. I even laughed out loud a couple of times!
Mom's Rating: 8/10
October 1, 2012
Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver have joined together to create another series, "Ghost Buddy," about a Los Angeles middle schooler named Billy Broccoli, who discovers that the old house his family has just moved into already has a tenant - a ninety-nine year-old ghost named Hoover Porterhouse, called "The Hoove," who is right about Billy's own age - & determined to show Billy a thing or two about how to improve his rather ho-hum life. In this first book, Billy's new school turns out to contain a new bully for Billy to contend with, but with help from The Hoove, can Billy avoid becoming the school laughingstock for the rest of middle school?
Cute & funny, reluctant readers will enjoy this one, especially boys who like baseball & gross things (yes, a tonsil in a jar makes a couple of appearances). I didn't like it quite as much as Winkler & Oliver's Hank Zipzer series, but it's definitely got potential.
Cute & funny, reluctant readers will enjoy this one, especially boys who like baseball & gross things (yes, a tonsil in a jar makes a couple of appearances). I didn't like it quite as much as Winkler & Oliver's Hank Zipzer series, but it's definitely got potential.
November 7, 2012
Billy Broccoli just moved into a new neighborhood and he didn't like moving and he doesn't like his new room. It was pink with unicorns jumping over rainbows on the wallpaper. When he was sleeping one night his baseball jersey jumped out of the closet and started talking to him. Then it started whistling 'I've Been Working on the Railroad'. A boy appeared. He had a page boy cap on backwards, suspenders, and a gray, long sleeved shirt early 1900's style. The only problem was Billy could see right through the boy!! The ghost was about 14 years old and his name was Hoover Porterhouse. Billy ended up getting revenge on Rod Brownstone after Rod took Billy's tonsil (which he kept in a jar)and put it on the lunch table. Hoover figured out that Rod had a secret that not even his little sister, Amber, knew. He still slept with the corner of his baby blankie!! Hoover took the baby blankie and tried to hang it up on the flagpole at school.
January 28, 2012
Billy Broccoli is determined that moving to a new neighborhood and a new school is the wrong thing to do, especially when the school bully lives next door! Just when he thinks nothing can be worse, Billy discovers a teenage ghost with a whole lot of attitude living in his bedroom closet! Billy Broccoli definitely doesn’t want his own personal ghost!
When Rod, the obnoxious school bully, zeros in on Billy as his next target at school, “The Hoove “ and Billy must work together and come up with a plan to get even.
I enjoyed reading Ghost Buddy. It’s a fast pass story with funny twists and turns and even an unexpected outcome. This is the first book in a new series for Winkler and Oliver so we can expect more adventures and complications that make life interesting for the friendship of Billy Broccoli and his buddy “The Hoove.”
When Rod, the obnoxious school bully, zeros in on Billy as his next target at school, “The Hoove “ and Billy must work together and come up with a plan to get even.
I enjoyed reading Ghost Buddy. It’s a fast pass story with funny twists and turns and even an unexpected outcome. This is the first book in a new series for Winkler and Oliver so we can expect more adventures and complications that make life interesting for the friendship of Billy Broccoli and his buddy “The Hoove.”
January 10, 2016
My love of reading started when i was young, and it gives me immense pleasure to provide books to Spread the Word Nevada, an organization that passes them on to children in the community. They are a terrific organization supporting an important cause. If your local I encourage you to check them out. For those living further a field, look in your own community, their may already be a similar program in place. And if not, you can always help start one.
http://spreadthewordnevada.org/
Myself, I go out on the weekends and
shop thrift store and bulk book lots to rescue books and donate them. Sometimes I'll find a book I remember reading when I was young and will read it again before passing it on.
I don't rate these books using my normal scale, instead I give most of them three stars. This isn't a Criticism of the book, simply my way of rating them as good for children.
September 18, 2012
Right away I was impressed with the main character of the story, Billy Broccoli. A sensitive lad who wants to play ball on the baseball team and connect with sincere, popular friends in a new school. His challenge in Middle School is learning to deal with a bully successfully. I like how the authors address some very important issues that our youth face today. I especially love the ending on how Billy goes about getting back at the bully the right way. Sometimes I found the pace of the story unfolding too slowly and a bit boring. At other times, the layers of the story are confusing, not connecting. Being the first book of the series it just started out a little slow for me. When you get to book #2 in the series, Winkler finishes with a bang. I loved it. With this one, I liked it.
March 27, 2024
This is the first book in the Ghost Buddy series by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver. I had heard of Mr. Winkler's collaborations with Ms. Oliver to write children's books, but had not yet taken the opportunity to read one yet.
I thought this was an interesting story and has a good message overall. I think it will appeal to young readers, and may even engage reluctant readers. I enjoyed listening to Henry Winkler's various voices as he narrates the audiobook edition.
I thought this was an interesting story and has a good message overall. I think it will appeal to young readers, and may even engage reluctant readers. I enjoyed listening to Henry Winkler's various voices as he narrates the audiobook edition.
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October 26, 2012This is a story about an 11-year-old named Billy Broccoli who moves to a new house with his mom and new stepdad. He has to start at a new school and make new friends however he encounters a bully that proves to make things difficult for him. In an interesting twist, his new room comes with a ghost and they develop a friendship. This story would appeal to readers who enjoy fiction, humor/ fantasy. I would recommend this to ages 9 and older. In my upper elementary classroom I would use this to tie into a lesson in the beginning of the year to discuss being new and the experience one encounters during these times.
October 26, 2016
Why I'm here is because this book was so amazing. Billy Broccoli is a guy who moved in with his now family and there is a ghost in his bedroom. Now, Billy has to cope with him throughout his stay. Will he survive? My favorite part is when Billy finally figures out that Hoover has a scent of Orange Juice. It cracked me up! My least favorite part is how Billy acts to him sometimes. I would change by maybe adding some more friendship in there. Why isn't there more books in this series? I want to read more! You should read this book because it has tickled my funny bone, and it should do the same to yours. Good Job, Henry and Lin!
March 20, 2014
Have you ever been bullied? What if you had a ghost buddy that could seek revenge on that bully and really give them a taste of their own medicine? Would you do it?
Billy Broccoli and his family (blended family) have just moved into a new house and he is now going to be attending a new school. Fitting in is not the easiest thing for Billy, however, things start to get a lot more exciting for Billy when he meets his new roommate-Hoover Porterhouse. a funny teen ghost with some major swagger!
Billy Broccoli and his family (blended family) have just moved into a new house and he is now going to be attending a new school. Fitting in is not the easiest thing for Billy, however, things start to get a lot more exciting for Billy when he meets his new roommate-Hoover Porterhouse. a funny teen ghost with some major swagger!
September 6, 2014
In the first book of this new series, Ghost Buddy; we learn that twelve-year-old Billy Broccoli is a dork. When his mother remarries, they move to a home that is haunted by a ninety-nine year old ghost, Hoover Porterhouse aka The Hoove. The Hoove is about to be banished for eternity if he doesn't become a more responsible ghost. The Hoove pairs up with Billy to help him fit in at his new school and get revenge on the neighborhood bully.
For those like stories with funny ghosts (Mostly Ghostly by R.L. Stine comes to mind) or school stories.
For those like stories with funny ghosts (Mostly Ghostly by R.L. Stine comes to mind) or school stories.
August 25, 2016
Moving into a new house with pink and purple pony wall paper is hard enough for any preteen-age boy. Throw in a new school and a nosy bully of a next door neighbor into the mix and things get down right overwhelming. Add in a ghost that has taken you on as his protege and life really gets very very interesting. Great start to another series co-written by The Fonz.
December 31, 2017
Billy Broccoli is 11 and starting a new school and now has his own personal ghost, Hoover Porterhouse. Billy is smaller than most 11 - year - old boys, wants to be cool but has a slight problem being cool. Namely his new next door neighbor, a real live bully, is his biggest problem. His ghost buddy helps him come up with a solution to his bully problem.
August 16, 2012
Maybe third or fourth graders would really like this book, but I didn't think it held together very well, and I especially didn't like the ending--if you could call it that. Nothing wrong with the book.
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February 8, 2013i have recently finished ghost buddy zero to hero. this is a short read book and 1 book in a seis. this book is uper natral .this book will make you laugh and make you ponder something, somethig i will not tell unless you whant me to mess up the book for you. so read it and the rest of the books.
September 17, 2013
It was funny but I did not think it was for fifth grader. It is about a kid that moved into a new house. And this friendly ghostpoped out of now where. The ghosts name is rod brownstone. The kids name is billy broccoli.
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