Lukezilla Beats the Game

by Kurtis Scaletta, David Sossella (Illustrator)

In real life, Lucas is small and unathletic. But as Trunkzilla in the online game Smashtown Frenzy, he's the biggest, toughest fighter on the streets. No wonder he prefers games to real life! He plans to spend all summer battling his way through the Smashtown tournament with his team, but his parents have other plans for volunteer work. Lucas signs up to be a Senior Sitter and gets matched with a cool old librarian named Isaac who likes cats and detective novels. Mornings with Isaac and afternoons gaming are working out great until Lucas's Smashtown success hits a speed bump and Isaac's health takes a tragic turn. Lucas saves Isaac's life but then finds himself burdened with a new sense of moral responsibility that gets him thrown off his team, banned from Smashtown, and made into a meme for internet haters. Some reward for being a hero! Lucas has one last shot to prevail, win back his friends, and show his parents how much gaming means to him.

240 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2020

About the author

Kurtis Scaletta is the author of several books for young readers including Mudville, which was short listed for the Mark Twain Readers Award, and The Tanglewood Terror, which was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award. He lives in Minneapolis with wife and son and some cats.

Reviews

[Layla Crowie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/4 stars out of 5.

Gamers young and young at heart will appreciate this story dedicated to the love of the online gaming community.

An emotional rollercoaster with a true growth of character, Lucas is endearing and relatable. There is a very important under current to this story, centering on the positives and negatives to any online community, not just the gaming one.

If I had anything negative to say is that unfortunately the vast majority of the other characters were just lacking on the whole. I wanted more from his friendships and interactions on the whole.

But all in all a fantastic middle grade book, that will keep readers rooting for Lukezilla every step of the way.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review! Lukezilla beats the game is a great book for gamers young and old. Lucas lives and breathes video games but his parents don't want him glued to a screen non stop. This book is about friendship and the gaming community as a hole. WOuld definitely recommend to a friend.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucas lives and breaths video games. His parents aren't thrilled with that. But when he and his friends hear about an upcoming tournament for their favorite game, his parents relent a little. Only a little, though--Lucas still needs to commit to some volunteer work and balance his time. His volunteer job is visiting an elderly man (Isaac) and helping him with small tasks, like cleaning litterboxes and washing dishes. Isaac has had a fascinating life, and while he and Lucas don't have a lot of shared interests, they form a tight bond. Meanwhile, the Smashtown Frenzy tournament is drawing closer, and his team is fracturing.

A great, action-packed read for gamers, but also for readers who like to see more character growth and change. Lucas has a real character arc, changing for the better and growing up a lot. His friends are a little light on their own development--not Central Casting, but not as richly developed as Lucas or Isaac.

This will be in my middle school collection in the fall. (Assuming schools have reopened by then, sigh.)

[Jes Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parents tell the kids they need less screen time. Kids tell parents they don't understand. Lucas is caught in the age-old battle of wills. When he and his friends win a place in a local tournament for Smashtown, Lucas has to balance time without screens and practice sessions with his friends. Lucas gains new friends and a new understanding of what friendship means.

Kids who play Hyrule, Super Smash Brothers, and Fortnite will enjoy the in-depth gameplay as well as the love of video gamer personalities. Perfect for reluctant readers and highly relatable. As a grown-up, the step by step battle sequences were a little much, but I could see kids getting really into it.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am far outside the target demographic for this book, and I have zero interest in gaming, but the likable protagonist and themes of friendship, courage, and persistence give the story pretty universal appeal.

[Karlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for any kid who is into Minecraft and Animal Crossing. A kid who loves world-building online, but discovers the importance of building real friendships.

[Eugene Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think that this book is perfect for people who play video games and hate reading books as it is literally a videogame in a book