Rex Zero, King of Nothing

Rex Zero #2

by Tim Wynne-Jones

In sixth grade now, the wildly imaginative Rex Zero and his friends hatch a plan to replace Miss Garr, the substitute teacher from hell, and Rex takes on the persona of none other than "Dr. Love." Of course, events spin hilariously out of control. Miss Garr's cruel behavior is a mystery to Rex. But then, Rex's world is full of mysteries! There's the beautiful woman in white. Why does she have a black eye? There's the little black book filled with names. Who could it belong to? And why has Rex's father hidden a letter that "Mein Liebchen"? Could all these things have something to do with the mystery of love? Underneath all of this is the age-old question of how to stand up and be a man. For if, as Rex's dad says, "a man's got to do what a man's got to do," how does Rex know what to do and when to do it? Delightfully eccentric characters, humorous scenes of well-intended plans gone awry, a finely crafted plot interwoven with serious themes about love and war―this new Rex Zero is a gem!
Rex Zero, King of Nothing is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical, Childrens, Historical Fiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

Tim Wynne-Jones (born 12 August 1948) is an English–Canadian author of children's literature, including picture books and novels for children and young adults, novels for adults, radio dramas, songs for the CBC/Jim Henson production Fraggle Rock, as well as a children's musical and an opera libretto.

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (2001): The Boy in the Burning House
Edgar Award
◊ Best Young Adult (2002): The Boy in the Burning House

Reviews

[Steven CartwightJr]

Rex Zero: King of Nothing by Tim Wynne-Jones is about an eleven year old boy, Rex Norton-Norton, in 1962 Ottawa. Rex encounters several mysteries including his father’s troubling World War II secrets. The wildly imaginative Rex and his friends hatch a plan to replace their substitute teacher Miss Garr. Rex’s life of mysteries and questions. Why does Rex’s father have a secret note titled "Mein Liebchen"? Who is the lady in white? Why does she have a black eye? Rex has so many questions that he is determined to answer with the help of his friends.
This book is written somewhat in it’s genre because it is realistic fiction but, it can also be a mystery book. I slightly disagree that Rex Zero fits realistic fiction because the author has a lot of mystery involved. It can be debated that Rex Zero is also a mystery book. In Rex Zero, Rex finds a letter that his father that is titled with the words "Mein Liebchen", and "Mein Liebchen" is German for “my love.” Based on my investigation about Rex Zero: King of Nothing, I noticed that the genre doesn’t fully align with the genre based on how much mystery is involved in the book.

This book was enjoyable because the author incorporated so many mysteries and secrets that keep you reading until you find the answer to that certain mystery. I think people who enjoy mystery books would love this book because the book isn’t just realistic fiction it also incorporates a lot mystery to it. Children and adults of all ages would enjoy reading this book because it doesn’t have a specific way of writing that is directed to adults or children because it has parts that a kid will get and parts that adults will get. So if you are looking for a book with mystery and is very interesting pick up Rex Zero: King of Nothing and start reading today.

[Roxanne Hsu Feldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that definitely builds up momentum as it goes along and the word "crescendo" rang in my head when I read the final scenes. Another fairly young coming-of-age story featuring a preteen boy who is a lot more independent and mature than most of the 2008 11-year-olds I know. Interesting trend?

The only puzzle still remains is why would Rex's dad hide all the letters and photos on the top shelf if there is nothing to hide from his wife -- and that it wasn't something really worth hiding from his children in such a way. Someone needs to help me understand this part.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quietly and utterly charming.

[Eva Mitnick · Rating 3 out of 5]

11-year-old Rex Norton-Norton (aka Rex Zero) made friends and conquered an ersatz panther in Rex Zero and the End of the World (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2007). Now he’s back in Rex Zero, King of Nothing (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2008) and dealing with problems ranging from a mysterious and moody Dad (does Rex has a long-lost half-brother??) to a nasty teacher to a beautiful woman with an abusive husband. This last is rather a stretch, plot-wise – Rex and his friend manage to chase away a brutal man, apparently for good, a deed that even a grown-up might find hard to accomplish. But that is the charm of these two books. Rex may be hindered by a lack of context and understanding of Adult Issues, but this also allows him to make leaps of faith that a grown-up might be too inhibited to perform. There are a number of sly and subtle jokes that younger readers might not get but that add another level of humor for older readers.
Bottom line – Rex Zero is a realistic and appealing hero, 1962 Ottawa is faithfully and affectionately portrayed, and both boys and girls in grades 4 to 6 will find this an enjoyable, if not hugely action-packed, read.

[Charlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rex Zero comes by his name mathematically. His real name is Rex Norton-Norton and Norton-Norton=0. The book is full of this sort of wry humor that may fly right over the heads of young readers. Although the book isn't truly a mystery, Rex's life seems to be full of questions this year. To whom does the address book he found belong? What is the secret sister Annie is searching for in Father's office?

At school, Rex must face the ogre who is the substitute teacher, Miss Garr. Any interaction between Miss Garr and the class is always full of sparks. At home, Rex's father vacillates between sunshine and storm and Rex tries to stay out of the way of both his father and his sister Annie.

I'm not quite sure of the child appeal of this Canadian import set in the sixties. What I found humorous child readers may only find puzzling. But students will empathize with a child who feels he is a victim of a fiendish substitute teacher or who tries to help a good friend get rid of a possible stepfather by becoming Dr. Love.

[Michael Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rex Zero books are young tween chapter books that raise intensely engaging mysterious circumstances which later turn out to be easily-explainable and not at all as bad as they seem. The books are particularly interesting because the resolutions of the mysteries are things that really occur in the adult world. In this second book of the series, Rex at 11 is just starting to feel the stirrings of adolescent interest in females.

The only reason I only gave it four stars is because it doesn't seem to have sustained the interest of my 10-year-old son, who I would have expected to be dead center in the middle of the logical reading audience.

The first book in the series is Rex Zero and the End of the World.

[Rafael Urbina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thesis Stamment:this book is good because Rex is kng of nothing.
Reason 1:Rex dose not want to be a soidger
Evidence Piece #1 Rex dose not like being a soldior because he dose not like over there.
Evidence Pi ece #2 Rex dose not like his dad job because Rex dose not like soldioer.
Evidence Piece #3 Rex wants to be with his friends and not his dad.
Reason 2: Piece#1 Rex and his friend are making a mission.
Evidence Piece #1 The mission was to be a king of something.
Evidence Piece #2 There mission was to be a king of something.
Evidence Piece #3 So Rex has to be king of something.
Reason Piece:3 Rex is the best.
Evidence Piece #1 Rex is the best king cause he did something.
Evidence Peice #2 Rex did good.
Evidence Piece #3 Rex never quit.
Conclusion Rex got to be king of something.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a review of this Canadian author when we were in Canada recently. Was interested in how he dealt with first person, present tense narrative from an eleven year old's perspective (same as the novel I'm writing.) I liked Rex's voice and the plots and subplots going on--particularly the goings on with Miss Garr, the long-term substitute teacher. I also like the parents' voices and at one point even laughed aloud while reading one of the mother's statements, which startled my fellow gym-goers. There was also a moment of pathos near the end, but I couldn't quite believe the Dad's "mystery" and believe the denouement was a little rushed. But I will certainly read others by Tim Wynne-Jones.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book after hearing Tim Wynne-Jones read in Toronto. It tackles some hefty subject matter but filters it through the mind of an imperfect but highly likeable sixth grade boy. This book is engaging, well-written, and impresses with its masterful handling of distinct storylines. Like many great books it teaches a lot without seeming to teach at all. My one reservation is whether children--particularly boys--will find it appealing. I hope so, it has a lot to offer.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hit featuring eleven year old Rex Norton-Norton (or Rex Zero, as he prefers to be called). This story of innocent things (which aren't quite so innocent) and scary things (that don't seem so bad when you've got a good group of friends) is one that will appeal to reluctant readers, as well as a few adults who may remember being a kid in the '60s.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. It works okay without reading the previous book, but you will better understand some characters and relationships if you have read it. There were so many quotable lines in this book, but I realized if I began quoting, I'd end up with half the book as favorite quotes! There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as well as some very serious ones. Highly recommended!

[Joseph McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great middle-grade read! Wonderful voice (Rex) and a superb job at pacing. The story moves along at a great clip, knowing when to settle into a scene and when to bound ahead. The book reads great as a stand alone but is very solidly developed as the 2nd of the Rex Zero books. Rex continues to grow on me. Love him!

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Sentence Review: My respect for the writing of Mr. Wynne-Jones knows no bounds, and while I enjoyed this sequel maybe a little less than Rex Zero and the End of the World I still found it a complex, gripping, wonderful book that deserves a lot more attention.

[Stephanie G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wynne-Jones's voice is unique int the world of children's books. It might be because he's Canadian, by way of England, or that he's such a wonderful writer. I think kids grades 3-5 would love this. If you give it to one, let me know what they think.

[Daria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reads like it's intended for kids who are just starting to read chapter books on their own. The story line is fairly simple and there's not a ton of character development. I think it's probably best for the 4th and 5th grade crowd.

[Heath · Rating 2 out of 5]

i fell asleep reading this the only part i liked was when rex's dad told the story of him blowing up germans with hand grenades

[Vern · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book, like a literary Christmas Story, has that same nostalgic feel.

[Ricki · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't find this one to be interesting at all. The eleven-year-old narrator lacked depth and the themes were very basic.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story and very well written, however some subject matter was a little too old and in some cases not appropriate for my 6 and 7 year olds ears. (A great book for older children though.)

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written middle school mystery.

[Kklingon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just discovered Tim Wynne-Jones in the Horn Book. Though I preferred Rex Zero, The Great Pretender, this one was fun, too.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book really grew on me, much more than the first.

[Shoshana · Rating 4 out of 5]

So funny!

[Lesley]

Loved it.