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Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini
A young boy attempts to transform his aunt’s boring children’s book into an exciting one.
Books aren’t supposed to be dangerous. Are they?
Alex Harmon prefers running over sitting still reading. But when his aunt offers to pay him to point out the boring parts in her children’s book, he figures it’s an easy way to make ten bucks. The problem is that her book is about a grumpy frog and a prize-winning zucchini. It doesn’t have only a few boring pages…the whole thing is a lost cause.
br>Alex gives his aunt some ideas to help her out—like adding danger and suspense. But books can’t just be interesting. They also have to be believable. Soon Alex recruits his friends to help him act out scenes so he can describe all the important details. He’s even getting plot twists from a mysterious stranger (who might also be a ghost). Too late, Alex discovers that being a real-life stunt double for a fictional character can land you in terrible trouble—even if your friends are laughing their heads off!
Books aren’t supposed to be dangerous. Are they?
Alex Harmon prefers running over sitting still reading. But when his aunt offers to pay him to point out the boring parts in her children’s book, he figures it’s an easy way to make ten bucks. The problem is that her book is about a grumpy frog and a prize-winning zucchini. It doesn’t have only a few boring pages…the whole thing is a lost cause.
br>Alex gives his aunt some ideas to help her out—like adding danger and suspense. But books can’t just be interesting. They also have to be believable. Soon Alex recruits his friends to help him act out scenes so he can describe all the important details. He’s even getting plot twists from a mysterious stranger (who might also be a ghost). Too late, Alex discovers that being a real-life stunt double for a fictional character can land you in terrible trouble—even if your friends are laughing their heads off!
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2020
9 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 9, 2021
What a fun read! Fast-paced, funny--just the kind of book I love to recommend (and give) to a middle-grade reader. What makes this book special is that the kid characters have agency, and the exploration of good vs. bad writing, done in an entertaining way. Would make a great book to read together as a class or family. Highly recommend.
August 21, 2022
My name is Alex Harmon.
- first line
Verdict: A fast-paced, funny book that proves writing ideas come from a wide variety of places.
Alex doesn’t like to read. He likes to run. But his aunt wrote a children’s book, and she wants to pay him to read it. She wants him to point out the boring parts so she can make her book better. The problem is, the whole book is boring. It’s about a grumpy frog and a prize-winning zucchini. Alex gives her ideas to add danger and suspense. But he also wants it to be believable. So he recruits his friends to help him act out scenes and add important details. They also get help from a ghostwriter who may actually be a ghost.
- first line
Verdict: A fast-paced, funny book that proves writing ideas come from a wide variety of places.
Alex doesn’t like to read. He likes to run. But his aunt wrote a children’s book, and she wants to pay him to read it. She wants him to point out the boring parts so she can make her book better. The problem is, the whole book is boring. It’s about a grumpy frog and a prize-winning zucchini. Alex gives her ideas to add danger and suspense. But he also wants it to be believable. So he recruits his friends to help him act out scenes and add important details. They also get help from a ghostwriter who may actually be a ghost.
June 3, 2021
Telling the story of the creation of a fantasy novel doesn't sound dangerous or exciting, but throw in some imaginative stunts, a mysterious ghostwriting ghost and a reluctant reader and you have the hilarity of Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini by Betsy Uhrig. Alex Harmon's story behind the story is brilliant. Kids will love the characters and the funny situations they wind up in as they help author Aunt Caroline create a better novel. Teachers will appreciate the behind the scenes look at creative writing for their classes. Wonderful book for the classroom!!
September 17, 2021
I love this book, and will read everything from this author. This book had so many laters -- writing craft, reluctant readers, audiobooks, ghosts, ghostwriters, adventure, senior citizens, newborns, non-rescue dogs, and twists and turns galor!
It is hilarious, laugh-out-loud funny, and also suspenseful enough to keep those pages flying. The book-within-a-book was well done too such that I honestly want to read Gerald's series now too.
Easy to recommend to middle grade readers, teachers, and librarians. Kudos!
It is hilarious, laugh-out-loud funny, and also suspenseful enough to keep those pages flying. The book-within-a-book was well done too such that I honestly want to read Gerald's series now too.
Easy to recommend to middle grade readers, teachers, and librarians. Kudos!
October 9, 2022
At first I was hesitant on reading this ssyra because it seemed like just another nerdy basic book. But I was very much surprised. Such a creative switch on making a book about, well... a book! Wasn’t making me sit on the edge of my seat but it wasn’t really meant to be a intense action book. It was not what I expected so points for that!
December 27, 2021
I think it's interesting to read books about books.
Alex is a reluctant reader enlisted to proofread his aunt's children's book.
He ends up helping to rewrite this generic Potteresque book by providing "trial stunts, sensory details, and boringness patrol" with the help of his friends and a "ghost" ghostwriter? Mystery included!
Alex is a reluctant reader enlisted to proofread his aunt's children's book.
He ends up helping to rewrite this generic Potteresque book by providing "trial stunts, sensory details, and boringness patrol" with the help of his friends and a "ghost" ghostwriter? Mystery included!
April 28, 2023
When Alex’s aunt ask him to read her book and be honest, Alex is excited…then he reads it. The book is boring but Alex can’t tell his aunt that, it will hurt her feelings. Alex decides to reach out to his friends for suggestions. Together, with the help of an anonymous friend they help auntie read a best seller.
May 2, 2021
Authors find inspiration everywhere, and it is often through collaboration that the best ideas emerge. Alex Harmon has been referred to as a “reluctant reader” for most of his life. While he can and does read, he often finds that he prefers to be moving than sitting still with a book. His Aunt Caroline is an aspiring author, and she comes to Alex one day with a very special proposition: she will pay him ten dollars to tell her everywhere her manuscript is boring. So begins a journey of imagination and teamwork as one of the most popular middle grade books of Alex’s time takes shape around him.
This unique and delightful story is presented mostly as a recounting of past events and is bookended by Alex speaking in his present day. He often addresses readers directly as though they have already read the book that is being written as the story unfolds. Though Gerald in the Warlock’s Weir and Gerald in the Grotto of Gargoyles are not real, readers feel familiar with these fictional stories by the end of this one. Short chapters direct the narrative, creating a quick and episodic pacing that is well suited to reluctant and confident readers alike.
A memorable assortment of characters aid Alex and his aunt in their development of Gerald’s stories. From his best friends Javier and Marta, to his brother Alvin, and even several community members, each one brings a unique approach and flavor to both this book and the one being written within it. Dialogue, text messages, emails, and descriptive passages all work together to add dynamic reality to this story.
Readers of all ages will be captivated by this endearing story about what happens when an otherwise reluctant reader comes across the book that changes their life. It is not often that the creation of a book is described in such detail, and readers will no doubt be inspired to develop their own writing as a result of this story. Left open for a sequel, this book incorporates many successful elements of middle grade novels in an unconventional package. This is a fun and imaginative addition to school and community libraries for middle grade readers.
I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.
This unique and delightful story is presented mostly as a recounting of past events and is bookended by Alex speaking in his present day. He often addresses readers directly as though they have already read the book that is being written as the story unfolds. Though Gerald in the Warlock’s Weir and Gerald in the Grotto of Gargoyles are not real, readers feel familiar with these fictional stories by the end of this one. Short chapters direct the narrative, creating a quick and episodic pacing that is well suited to reluctant and confident readers alike.
A memorable assortment of characters aid Alex and his aunt in their development of Gerald’s stories. From his best friends Javier and Marta, to his brother Alvin, and even several community members, each one brings a unique approach and flavor to both this book and the one being written within it. Dialogue, text messages, emails, and descriptive passages all work together to add dynamic reality to this story.
Readers of all ages will be captivated by this endearing story about what happens when an otherwise reluctant reader comes across the book that changes their life. It is not often that the creation of a book is described in such detail, and readers will no doubt be inspired to develop their own writing as a result of this story. Left open for a sequel, this book incorporates many successful elements of middle grade novels in an unconventional package. This is a fun and imaginative addition to school and community libraries for middle grade readers.
I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.
September 18, 2020
@Kidlitexchange
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Kids for sharing an advance copy of Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini with the #Kidlitexchange network. This fun middle grades novel was released in September 2020. All opinions are my own.
Alex Harmon is what his family calls a reluctant reader. He would rather be outside doing something than reading a book. When his aunt recruits him to read the children's book she's written, he's skeptical. When she tells him he will get to point out all the boring parts to help improve the book, he agrees. What he finds is a lot of boring. To help his aunt, he and his friends start to come up with ideas to add danger, suspense, and magic to the book. Alex knows that the ideas need to be believable, so he and his friends start acting as literary stuntmen and act out the scenes before proposing them to Caroline, his aunt. The plot of Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini thickens when Alex forgets his copy of the book at the Old Weintraub place and when he returns to get it, he finds that someone (or something) has added suggestions.
This was a super fun and interesting book to read. I liked that it's a book about writing/reading a book. One of the main themes of the book is the idea that everyone is a reader, you just may not have found your book (or book delivery method) yet. The chapters of Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini are short and sweet. The plot is full of humor, action, suspense, and mystery. Alex does such a good job of describing his aunt's book and acting out the scenes that I want to read the book they've written. There are also messages about self-confidence, helping others, accepting help, and friendship in the novel. As a language arts teacher, I also enjoy that this book shines a light on the writing process. Caroline is constantly writing, revising, brainstorming, editing, etc. to make her story better. She realizes it's not a one-and-done thing, but instead a process. It's been my experience that young writers don't want to go beyond their initial first draft, so I enjoy that this book goes through so many drafts and revisions.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Kids for sharing an advance copy of Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini with the #Kidlitexchange network. This fun middle grades novel was released in September 2020. All opinions are my own.
Alex Harmon is what his family calls a reluctant reader. He would rather be outside doing something than reading a book. When his aunt recruits him to read the children's book she's written, he's skeptical. When she tells him he will get to point out all the boring parts to help improve the book, he agrees. What he finds is a lot of boring. To help his aunt, he and his friends start to come up with ideas to add danger, suspense, and magic to the book. Alex knows that the ideas need to be believable, so he and his friends start acting as literary stuntmen and act out the scenes before proposing them to Caroline, his aunt. The plot of Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini thickens when Alex forgets his copy of the book at the Old Weintraub place and when he returns to get it, he finds that someone (or something) has added suggestions.
This was a super fun and interesting book to read. I liked that it's a book about writing/reading a book. One of the main themes of the book is the idea that everyone is a reader, you just may not have found your book (or book delivery method) yet. The chapters of Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini are short and sweet. The plot is full of humor, action, suspense, and mystery. Alex does such a good job of describing his aunt's book and acting out the scenes that I want to read the book they've written. There are also messages about self-confidence, helping others, accepting help, and friendship in the novel. As a language arts teacher, I also enjoy that this book shines a light on the writing process. Caroline is constantly writing, revising, brainstorming, editing, etc. to make her story better. She realizes it's not a one-and-done thing, but instead a process. It's been my experience that young writers don't want to go beyond their initial first draft, so I enjoy that this book goes through so many drafts and revisions.
June 13, 2021
Readers and writers are sure to laugh out loud frequently as Alex, the so-called reluctant reader, gets roped into helping his aunt turn her oh-so-boring middle grade book into something that a publisher might accept. But Alex hasn’t read many books which means that he has to physically experience anything that Aunt Caroline suggests in order to provide her with feedback. Backed by his fearless friend Marta encouraging outrageous exploits and filming friend Javier recording every hysterical moment, the first dull draft of Gerald and Grandpa is transformed into exciting Gerald and the Warlock’s Weir. Betsy Uhrig makes Alex come alive and his middle grade voice rings out, loud and clear. Supporting characters Marta, Javier, and his little brother Alvin are just as highly developed and provide great contrast. Truly a must-have book for home, class, public and school libraries serving grades 4 through 8 with no warning flags in the areas of profanity, violence or sexual content. Yes, the characters attempt a few dangerous feats and they do a bit of trespassing, but consequences are provided and it is clearly done for humorous effect. Diversity notes: Javier’s family presents as Hispanic and Alex’s aunt has a wife who is expecting their first child. Thanks for providing arc-sharing group #BookAllies with a print ARC, Simon & Schuster Kids.
October 13, 2020
@kidlitexchange Partner: Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini by Betsy Uhrig. Available NOW! (I don’t remember the publisher and I already passed the book on, sorry @kidlitexchange)
————-
While his little brother tears through books, 12-year-old Alex is labeled a “reluctant reader,” a term he hates. Which is why his aunt summons him to beta read her new children’s book and tell her what’s boring. The problem...it’s all boring. As Alex gains inspiration from some mysterious notes and passes the ideas on to his aunt, she thinks the ideas are all coming from his imagination, and he has to scramble to keep up the act.
This is a book of stunts, a very well-done mystery, and humor. Actually, this book was so much funnier than I expected. It was hilarious in a very dry way and I laughed out loud so many times. Alex’s narration was spot-on and hysterical.
In addition, I loved the plot. The kids run around climbing trellises, testing ideas, building ghost-hunting gear, and staging battles with Playmobil Santas. They’re such kids and the situations they got in, such as getting their limbs stuck in a storm drain, were hilarious.
As you can tell, I absolutely loved this book and you should buy it. Thank you @kidlitexchange for the review copy—all opinions are my own.
#kidlitexchange #kidlit #middlegrade #doublethedangerandzerozucchini #betsyuhlrig #humor #book #books #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksofig #booksofinstagram #bookreview
————-
While his little brother tears through books, 12-year-old Alex is labeled a “reluctant reader,” a term he hates. Which is why his aunt summons him to beta read her new children’s book and tell her what’s boring. The problem...it’s all boring. As Alex gains inspiration from some mysterious notes and passes the ideas on to his aunt, she thinks the ideas are all coming from his imagination, and he has to scramble to keep up the act.
This is a book of stunts, a very well-done mystery, and humor. Actually, this book was so much funnier than I expected. It was hilarious in a very dry way and I laughed out loud so many times. Alex’s narration was spot-on and hysterical.
In addition, I loved the plot. The kids run around climbing trellises, testing ideas, building ghost-hunting gear, and staging battles with Playmobil Santas. They’re such kids and the situations they got in, such as getting their limbs stuck in a storm drain, were hilarious.
As you can tell, I absolutely loved this book and you should buy it. Thank you @kidlitexchange for the review copy—all opinions are my own.
#kidlitexchange #kidlit #middlegrade #doublethedangerandzerozucchini #betsyuhlrig #humor #book #books #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksofig #booksofinstagram #bookreview
August 25, 2021
This book is, in my opinion, skateboard-heartwarming. Is there a better term? Let me explain. I feel that the book, the beautiful, wonderful book, is heartwarming. I'm PROUD to have it and I want to display how PROUD I am to the world. But it isn't heartwarming in a super-touching super-feely way. It feels like..Marta. One of my favorite characters, who's broken her elbows at least TWICE or THRICE in the book. First time was on the skateboard. You can ride a skateboard in that kind of cool, that feel, and that's how this book feels. And it's heartwarming. For sure. And it also makes light reading. Someone is a (as they put it in the book) "reluctant reader"? Is the book perhaps too long? These are the most amazing chapters and SO short. So nice! I feel proud to be, 1/2 or 3/4 in, 72 chapters read.
April 15, 2023
Fun, fast-paced story that fans of adventure will surely enjoy. Part mystery, part ghost story, part realistic fiction - lots of fun. And that title! If that doesn't grab kids' attention I don't know what will. Not at all surprised that it got a nomination for a Beehive Book Award in children's fiction. Enjoyed as an audiobook and like a doofus I didn't finish before my loan period expired and then had to wait through the hold queue again to finish it! It's in high demand.
Last school year I spent a lot of time looking for age- and interest-appropriate books with LGBTQ characters because I had upper elementary students specifically requesting them. This one has a nice relationship with secondary characters (aunt and her wife) that would have fit the bill for those students requesting books with some kind of LGBTQ representation (without any kind of sexual content or overtones.)
Last school year I spent a lot of time looking for age- and interest-appropriate books with LGBTQ characters because I had upper elementary students specifically requesting them. This one has a nice relationship with secondary characters (aunt and her wife) that would have fit the bill for those students requesting books with some kind of LGBTQ representation (without any kind of sexual content or overtones.)
December 8, 2023
I picked this up for my nephew who has become pickier about what he reads. I think this will catch his interest if I can get him to start it. Maybe if his mom or dad reads the first couple chapters with him, ...
Lots of worthy topics: reluctant readers, ideas for a story, writing so it is believable, the importance of getting feedback, family & friends, no evil/bad characters, married aunts expecting a child, seniors, ...
Alex doesn't have a grandfather so decides he needs to find out what it's like to be with a grandfather figure. Hence his visit to a senior center. He takes note of phrases seniors use that he thinks might be usable for the story ... based on his choices, I guess I fit the 'grandfather' category, or at least I'm familiar with them. Examples:
-willy-nilly
- a hoot
- pardon my French
- kingdom come
Lots of worthy topics: reluctant readers, ideas for a story, writing so it is believable, the importance of getting feedback, family & friends, no evil/bad characters, married aunts expecting a child, seniors, ...
Alex doesn't have a grandfather so decides he needs to find out what it's like to be with a grandfather figure. Hence his visit to a senior center. He takes note of phrases seniors use that he thinks might be usable for the story ... based on his choices, I guess I fit the 'grandfather' category, or at least I'm familiar with them. Examples:
-willy-nilly
- a hoot
- pardon my French
- kingdom come
October 24, 2022
A young boy hates reading. But his aunt offers to pay him to read the book she has written and tell her all the boring parts. So he begins reading...and it's all boring! He begins to think of ideas to make it interesting (Hint 1: Get rid of the zucchini! And increase the danger.) Soon he enlists two friends to help him. But he knows that the things they add to the book must be believable so they begin to act things out to make sure they would actually work. They also enlist the help of a stranger/ghost/unknown person. Lots of humor, lots of adventure and a boy becomes a reader and falls in love with books.
January 7, 2023
I've always had a soft spot for books about books and books about writing, and this book is about both. In fact, the premise of this book is so clever, I wish I had thought of it myself.
Alex Harmon is a Reluctant Reader, and thus the perfect kid to help his aunt take out the boring bits of her children's book manuscript. But Alex believes he has no imagination, so he enlists an entire cast of characters to help him ghostwrite his aunt's novel. In fact, he enlists the help of a possible, actual ghost!
This is a book I will definitely recommend to the Reluctant Readers I teach, and gets added to my ever growing list of "Books I Hope to Teach Someday."
Alex Harmon is a Reluctant Reader, and thus the perfect kid to help his aunt take out the boring bits of her children's book manuscript. But Alex believes he has no imagination, so he enlists an entire cast of characters to help him ghostwrite his aunt's novel. In fact, he enlists the help of a possible, actual ghost!
This is a book I will definitely recommend to the Reluctant Readers I teach, and gets added to my ever growing list of "Books I Hope to Teach Someday."
August 6, 2021
Clever, funny, relatable book that writing teachers should snap up. It really should be shared nonstop at reading conferences. This would be a great book to read a chapter from every day before a writing lesson. The chapters are teensy, it is doable. I don’t really think the work as a whole needed to be as long as it was — could stand some pruning. But it has snappy dialogue, laughs, fun characters, and so much about the writing process. Plus a surprise emotional secret. And lesbian moms in major roles.
https://twitter.com/towntaker/status/... Tweet thread as I read
https://twitter.com/towntaker/status/... Tweet thread as I read
January 14, 2022
When Alex's aunt offers him $10 to read and critique the children's book she's been writing, he has a Problem. The book is BORING! Sure, his aunt chose him because of his reputation as a reluctant reader, but can he really tell her that her book is boring from start to finish?
Instead of admitting defeat, Alex recruites his friends to help him roleplay possible exciting scenes for the story, gets plot ideas from some unlikely sources, and learns that sometimes even reluctant readers can still enjoy a good story.
Instead of admitting defeat, Alex recruites his friends to help him roleplay possible exciting scenes for the story, gets plot ideas from some unlikely sources, and learns that sometimes even reluctant readers can still enjoy a good story.
August 8, 2022
Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini is so much fun. I read it aloud to my 10-year-old daughter, and we both enjoyed every second of this laugh-out-loud middle-grade novel that follows the adventures of Alex Harmon and his two friends as they try to find ways for Alex's aunt to improve the novel she's writing for children. It is, in a sense, a unique novel-within-a-novel. Truly a delight on all levels!
This is what my daughter has to say to Betsy Uhrig: "Make a sequel!!" I heartily agree.
This is what my daughter has to say to Betsy Uhrig: "Make a sequel!!" I heartily agree.
October 2, 2022
Sometimes you just need to read a funny, lighthearted book. As an escape from the real world, or as something different from your usual fare of more-serious Middle Grade lit. This book was hilarious! I haven't laughed so much in a long time. And I love that it's about a so-called reluctant reader, about writing, and about a book within a book. I'll be looking forward to reading more of Betsy Uhrig's writing. Highly entertaining!
June 16, 2023
Fun children’s chapter book, with an interesting approach to plot development. The main character, 11-year-old Alex Harmon, has been labeled as a “reluctant reader”, yet ends up doing a great amount of practical research to help with the novel his aunt is writing. Add in some lively and fun elderly folk, interesting sidekick friends, a quirky younger brother, a ghost, and a combination of interesting experiments and situations and the book ended up being even more enjoyable than expected.
November 7, 2020
Adoring this book! The whole concept of a less-than-thrilled-to-read kid helping his aspiring author aunt to un-boring a tremendously boring book is played out even better than I'd hoped. Fast-paced (the chapters are deliciously short) and funny, while secretly imparting lessons on how to recognize good sensory writing and enticing plot structure. Love love love, highly recommend.
September 30, 2020
This was a terrific book with fun dialogue and a great plot. I like a good kids’ book where you can easily imagine yourself right into the story. Nothing too too far fetched, just out there enough to be fun and exciting. A great find for voracious and reluctant readers alike.
March 2, 2022
We read this one aloud at bedtime so it took a while.
The girls found it exciting and funny and laughed out loud a lot. One gave it five stars, the other three, so we ended-up with four. The one who gave it three just explained it wasn’t her “style” of book, and she wanted more animals!
The girls found it exciting and funny and laughed out loud a lot. One gave it five stars, the other three, so we ended-up with four. The one who gave it three just explained it wasn’t her “style” of book, and she wanted more animals!
June 30, 2022
LOL Funny
I knew this was going to be a good book before I finished the first chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed the three main characters working together to to help write a book and find a ghost.
I knew this was going to be a good book before I finished the first chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed the three main characters working together to to help write a book and find a ghost.
August 1, 2022
So cute! I honestly wasn't a big fan of this book during the first few chapters, but as it picked up steam, I really liked the overall message of needing a whole team of people in order to get different perspectives and expertise when it comes to constructing a narrative.
June 3, 2023
Audiobook. Fantastic reader and a wonderful middle-grade story-behind-a-story of how an imaginary fantasy blockbuster was made. Spoiler: It involves lots of real-life experimentation and an avoidance of boring vegetables. I can imagine elementary students loving this metanarrative, and I did too.
October 9, 2020
Fun, witty, and very funny. Betsy has a real knack for sarcasm and humor. Had me chuckling throughout. A definite read for all middle graders. Especially for reluctant readers!
November 24, 2020
This book is double the fun! It’s like getting double the book! Readers of all kinds are going to love this one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews