The Big Stink (Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie) by Lubar, David (August 31, 2010) Paperback

Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie #4

by David Lubar

“I figured, being dead, my life would become a lot simpler. I wouldn’t have to take care of myself or worry about stuff like eating the right food. But dead kids have a whole different bundle of problems.”—Nathan Abercrombie It’s a stinky situation when Nathan’s school, Belgosi Upper Elementary, develops a mold problem and his class is forced to share space with the first graders. Soon the eighth graders show up too, including Rodney the bully’s older and meaner brother, Ridley. Could he be the reason for the stinky, putrid, rotten smell that seems to be following Nathan around? It’s up to Nathan, Abigail, and Mookie to solve the mystery of the big stink before it pollutes the entire town. Fans of David Lubar’s popular Weenies short story collections, which have sold more than one and a half million copies, are sure to enjoy this fourth hilarious installment of the adventures of Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie.

Genres: Adventure

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

David Lubar created a sensation with his debut novel, Hidden Talents, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Thousands of kids and educators across the country have voted Hidden Talents onto over twenty state lists. David is also the author of True Talents, the sequel to Hidden Talents; Flip, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a VOYA Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror selection; several short story collections: In the Land of the Lawn Weenies, Invasion of the Road Weenies, The Curse of the Campfire Weenies, The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies, and Attack of the Vampire Weenies; and the Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie series. Lubar grew up in Morristown, New Jersey, and he has also lived in New Brunswick, Edison and Piscataway, NJ, and Sacramento, CA. Besides writing, he has also worked as a video game programmer and designer. He now lives in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidl...

Reviews

[Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

it good

[Charlie Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh and spunky book. Not something I would normally read , but took a chance and I can't get enough of him.

[Meg Mirza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you love reading about about terrible odors, copious amounts of farting, projectile vomit and belching? Man, have I got the book for you.

The fourth book in Lubar's series catches up with poor Nathan, who's already been a zombie for while. He's been recruited by the Bureau of Useful Misadventures (or BUM, for short) where his professor mentor frequently sends him out on "Mission Impossible" style assignments for the government with the help of his two best friends Abigail and Moogie. After a few months of being undead, unfortunately, Nathan is starting to decompose. Dealing with his stinkerrific-ness, hiding his rotten condition from his unsuspecting parents, and dodging the school bully takes up more time than running secret missions for the government. I won't ruin the ending, but luckily a solution is found for Nathan's B.O., which allows the series to carry on as per normal in its next and final installment.

I must say, this isn't at all the kind of book that I normally gravitate to, but I read it out of professional curiosity. Who is the audience for this book? Reluctant readers, especially boys, who enjoyed Andy Griffiths Zombie Butts from Uranus, Dan Gutman's My Weird School series or other similarly juvenile humor will enjoy this grossly funny book.

[Adinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dit boek viel me vooral op door het mooie, enigszins retro-Amerikaanse omslag. Maar wat een bizar verhaal als je begint te lezen...! De hoofdpersoon, een simpele scholier, is namelijk door een mislukt experiment zombie geworden en probeert voor zijn ouders en op school te verbergen dat hij dood is. (?!) Intussen werkt hij voor een geheim agentschap, dat zijn speciale eigenschappen erg waardeert. (?!?!)

Centraal in dit boek staat het probleem dat zijn extremiteiten beginnen te rotten en daardoor een gruwelijke stank verspreiden. Vooral als hij boos is ruiken zijn handen vreselijk. (?!?!?!) Qua verhaal zit er nog best structuur in en het is vast ook spannend voor de doelgroep, maar zelf vind ik dit té bizar. Een stiekem-zombiejongetje klinkt eerder als iets waar Tim Burton mee aan de slag moet, niet als iets voor spionage-agentschappen.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series in attitude and language (zombies! farts! spies! vomit! general silliness!) , but without the crude line drawings that seem to be prevalent these days. My reaction to it is the same though; I know who I'll gladly recommend it to, but I was definitely NOT the target audience.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful farts, projectile vomiting, & a half-dead protagonist who just might be starting to rot. Absolutely disgusting, incredibly quirky, & thoroughly enjoyable.

[Luanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is great for all ages.
The sense of humor is just right.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

My son and I liked Dead Guy Spy better but this is still decent. I love the Abigail character.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Camilo finished this on his own, so I didn't read the end. He gave me the spoiler reluctantly on my insistence, but I guess I don't need to tell you. He is anxious to read #2, #3, and #5...