Zacktastic

by Courtney Sheinmel

Upon the occasion of his tenth birthday, Zack learns from his uncle that Zack is descended from a line of genies. Before his uncle has time to fully explain the genie world, Zack is whisked through a bottle portal and sent on his first genie assignment. But he doesn't have a clue as to what he is supposed to do or what his powers might entail.

Genres: Humor

272 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2015

About the author

Born in California. Raised in New York. Went to law school, now write full time. Love: long walks, fresh notebooks, the smell of brownies, pomegranate seeds. Don't love: yogurt, spam (the email kind, and the food kind), deep water, deserted city streets.

Newest book: THE SECRETS OF LOVELACE ACADEMY, co-written with Marie Benedict, available on April 22, 2025.

I love to hear from readers! Email me! Ask a question! I promise to reply.

Reviews

[Tam Tam · Rating 2 out of 5]

All books by the same author aren't created equally....unfortunately.

Oh this book had potential. Zacktastic is written by the same author as the Stella Batts series, so I figured this is going to be good! Zack is a genie. He's also got major OCD, which was quite frankly annoying and giving me a little anxiety myself. But that's my problem! So Zack gets called on his first 'mission', 'request', whatever they call it and had a few boring parts I skipped/skimmed and then by the time it was getting good, the book was just getting to the ending phase. The action parts just weren't that exciting or engaging, perhaps because there was bullying involved and I hate bullying. I felt like the part about his father's death (that we learn about early on) was a foreshadow that this book is meant to be one of a series, just because the author didn't tell us enough yet about the dad.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I was hoping to. I feel like this was geared more towards the boy crowd, and while I love reading those too (hello Artemis and Gregor) if it's well done, Zacktastic just wasn't written well enough for me to give it more than 2 stars (bites).

[Anne Beardsley · Rating 1 out of 5]

A story about a boy who finds out he's a genie? Cool!

This is not really that story.

This is a story about a boy who has a twin sister and they live to make each other's lives miserable, to belittle each other and rain on each other's parades in every way possible. Oh yeah, and he's scared of everything. For like three chapters.

Somewhere along the way he does find out he's a genie, but the "phenomenal cosmic powers" are not in any balanced by the equivalent of "itty-bitty living space"...they are balanced by the fact that this petty, scornful, small-minded kid is one of the worst people out there who could have gotten this power.

Sigh....
If the author really comes from a family of personal enemies like that, I feel so sorry for her.

[Alaase Mahalah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine finding out on your 10th birthday that you're a genie! That's just what happens to Zack Cooley in this story. While genie life may or may not be great, Zack's 1oth birthday surprise turns out to be the best adventure his twin sister Quinn doesn't remember. Overall Courtney Sheinmel's story of a 7th House genie's abrupt entrance into genie life is a wild ride. The entire book takes place over the course of Zack and Quinn's birthday and it takes a lot to build up to the climax of the story, which is kind of a letdown. It seems that genie magic in this world is only an illusion meant to teach deeper lessons. Another let down are the many many unanswered questions the book leaves you with. Hopefully, the sequel will be more illuminating.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Too cute. Very original story. Likable characters. I loved the narrator - he brought even more life to the story.

[Alissa McClure · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very fun story with lots of action. The main character finds out he is a genie, but the overall story deals more with family relationships than anything else. I loved it and so do my boys!

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite an interesting little tale. A fun juvenile fiction read.

[Jaydin A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really Good Book! I suggest more people to read this book.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this start to a new series, the always-reliable Courtney Sheinmel delivers another book guaranteed to appeal to the late elementary school set. Zachary Cooley is nowhere near as popular as his twin sister Quinn. Most of the time he doesn't mind, but when they celebrate their tenth birthday together and his elderly uncle seems to have forgotten the occasion, he feels particularly lonely. As it turns out, he needn't feel left out since Zach is a genie, complete with a bottle and the ability to grant wishes. In fact, he descends from a long line of genies. Before Uncle Max can begin his tutelage, he is sent across country to a private school where a privileged youngster has everything he could want except what he really wants. Although Trey is the object of much teasing and bullying from some classmates, he is also a bit of a jerk himself. Zack is thrust into his new role with little preparation, leaving him at risk if he encounters the wrong person. I enjoyed watching the author develop these characters and Zack's relationship with Quinn as well as the layering provided by the deep-seated fears Zack has about the dangers that lurk in everyday life. It will be interesting to see where the author takes this series.