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During a zombie apocalypse, the important thing is to not panic.
Actually, that's not true. Definitely panic.
These things are going to try to eat your face off!

Sam and Arty are looking forward to summer vacation so much that they barely notice when their bumbling science teacher causes an explosion of purple goo that drenches their classmate, Simon. They're sure Simon will be fine--he looks a little gray, but things like this happen all the time in the town of Sitting Duck.

But Simon is not fine--and totally loses his head when he becomes a zombie! Soon the town is crawling with rabid zombies looking for braaaaaains! The adults are busy panicking and screaming, so it's up to Sam (the leader) Arty (the brains), and their friend Emmie (the rebel) to take charge. If they can't find a cure, it will be a disaster!

178 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

7 people are currently reading
319 people want to read

About the author

R. McGeddon

7 books

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5 stars
30 (40%)
4 stars
18 (24%)
3 stars
21 (28%)
2 stars
3 (4%)
1 star
3 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
1,818 reviews7 followers
April 6, 2023
On the last day before summer vacation there's an accident at school. Professor Pamplemousse's experiment goes awry and a child gets sprayed with purple goo just as the final bell rings and they all run out of class towards vacation fun. Soon after as Emmie, Sam and Arty are hanging outside, Emmie's aunt Doris is hit in the face....with a head. Simon Stumble's head, the one who got purple goo on him. What is going on? Aunt Doris runs away screaming but the three kids have to find out where the rest of Simon is....and they soon find his body. It's coming down the street with a bunch of other zombies as Simon looks for his head. Thus begins a lot of chasing and running away. The kids are the only ones who know what happened and have to try to stop the zombies from taking over the town of Sitting Duck. More and more of the town is taken over as they scramble to find a cure. The mayor is no help. Major Muldoon is shooting all the zombies. Emmie's nemesis Phoebe gets caught up with the gang and adds a twist as she is very, very girly and stuck up and all the things Emmie isn't. Written with helpful, well not really....but fun, tips along the way. Humorous and exciting this book is full of goofiness, laughs and adventure in the strange town of Sitting Duck where nothing is really normal.
Profile Image for G. Edweird Cheese.
481 reviews5 followers
June 1, 2017
I know its a kids book, but it's about zombies, so sue me. Quite engaging, good for younger kids, middle school or so. Kinda graphic for a younger audience, but what do I know? I grew up watching John Carpenter's The Thing, and reading King and Stein, Kings middle school equivalent.
Over all, cute, clever, funny. Got two hours to kill? Zombies!
Profile Image for Lee Parker.
247 reviews
June 4, 2018
I received a copy of this for free through Goodreads First Reads.

This was quite an entertaining kids book. I think it maybe was a little over the top for younger readers, but I think my 12 year old will like it quite a bit. Overall it was amusing, easy and really quick to read.
Profile Image for Tara.
212 reviews2 followers
January 7, 2019
Silly action packed read for kids in 3rd-6th grade.
Profile Image for Amy.
115 reviews4 followers
April 13, 2016
This was a fun book about zombies in a town called Sitting Duck where a zombie outbreak happens right when summer vacation comes about. The main characters are spunky, fun and very imaginative for kids. They are pranksters to their core so to stop the outbreak and save everyone, their prankster streak helps save the day and mostly everyone in town turns back to normal.

There are some grisly scenarios that get described in the book but nothing really that terrifying. It's a fun read with a few pictures spread across the pages. Friendships get tested and bonds are strengthened when they go up against this new threat. They combine their brain powers to come up with a great plan to save everyone and it works. This is a fairly easy read and can easily be read in about an hour. I'm glad I had the opportunity to get this book through a Goodreads giveaway, otherwise I don't think I would have picked up this book and read it. I'm glad I did though. I feel like their other books that they have in this series would be just as fun.
454 reviews12 followers
April 12, 2016
It is the last day of school before summer vacation in the town of Sitting Duck. The Science teacher is doing an experiment which explodes and turns Simon into a zombie. The zombies begun to multiply, putting everyone in a panic. Emmie, Sam and Arty come up with a plan to protect the town and get rid of the zombies. The three friends with the help of Phoebe, fill up water balloons and drop them on the creatures which destroys them at the town hall.
I never thought I would enjoy a children's book about zombies so much. The illustrations are amazing and give the reader a better idea of the zombie invasion.
I won this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. I know my grandson will enjoy reading it!
Profile Image for book eater.
16 reviews1 follower
October 18, 2014
Hello book readers this book is called disaster diary's zombies do not read this book if you are under 9(because I am 8 and spent the most of the night looking at the door and had nightmares they where not to bad yet I failed a test and fell asleep in maths) this book is very scary with lots of gruesome,spine chilling and heart stoping moments(yet funny) it is about four children arty Sam emmie and phoebe arty is fat Sam is popular emmie is a tomboy phoebe is useless I like this book because it is very dark


Bye
Profile Image for Star ☔️.
503 reviews
June 26, 2019
This children's book is a lot of fun! Sam, Arty, and Emmie try and save the town from being taken over by zombies. The little zombie tips at the end of each chapter are very humorous. It's fast-paced and funny! Kids age 8-12 will love it! I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
Profile Image for Beth.
928 reviews
August 25, 2016
I know that all of my reluctant boy readers will enjoy this quick, funny, and gross read. For me it was just okay. I giggled a few times. Because of the gross, I would say 4th and up, but I'm sure there are some younger kiddos that it wouldn't bother.
Profile Image for Chapter.
1,154 reviews4 followers
September 6, 2016
Kid's book with some of the humor i.e. Major Muldoon I doubt kids from AR would appreciate. What the hey, I had to give it a try, aren't we all looking for something like the Wimpy Kid diaries for that particular age boy while he awaits book number next?

Profile Image for Octavia.
367 reviews183 followers
March 8, 2016
This is the first middle grade book I've read since hitting "adulthood' and it was everything I wanted plus some! Full review to come soon!!
Profile Image for Heidi.
1,396 reviews158 followers
December 10, 2016
Lots of funny, sarcastic and zany humor, plus zombies. It is a bit violent and gory so best suited for older middle grade readers. Boys will love it.
Profile Image for tara sh.
145 reviews
December 24, 2021
The character descriptions in particular were fun. The plot is silly and fast, with some "artifacts" breaking up the narrative with different text types.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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