The Fabulous Zed Watson!

Zed Watson #1

by Basil Sylvester, Kevin Sylvester (Illustrator)

FINALIST FOR THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S LITERARY AWARD FINALIST FOR THE OLA SILVER BIRCH AWARD The literary scavenger hunt of a lifetime, starring an endlessly endearing non-binary tween Zed Watson loves a few their name (which they chose themself!), their big rambunctious family, and—oh yeah—monsters. When Zed discovered the mystery surrounding an unpublished novel called The Monster’s Castle , they were completely hooked. Now Zed is a member of a small but dedicated legion devoted to finding the long-buried text. When a breakthrough discovery leads Zed to the route that they are sure will take them to the treasure, they know it’s time for a road trip. And with the help of their shy, flora-loving neighbour, Gabe, and his sister, Sam, a geologist who is driving back to college in Arizona, Zed and company are soon off on a wild adventure following cryptic clues. But it’s not all fun and games. Gabe doesn’t like Zed’s snacks, Sam is a bossy driver with total command of the ancient Impreza’s stereo, and Zed is often misgendered. It’s a good thing they also encounter kind strangers, potato-themed dance-offs and lots and lots of ice cream along the way. If Zed and Gabe can combine their strengths, survive Sam’s wrath and best the greedy historian who’s also hot on the book’s trail, they just might find the greatest treasure of all. Co-authored by child-parent duo Basil Sylvester and Kevin Sylvester, this is a vibrant and enormous-hearted story about friendship, identity and belonging. It features illustrations by celebrated author and illustrator Kevin Sylvester, and an Own Voices perspective based on Basil’s experience.

Genres: Middle Grade, LGBT, Queer, Mystery, Adventure, Canada, Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 26, 2021

About the author

Basil Sylvester is an author, student, editor, sometimes bookseller, and occasional backstage person in community theatre. Their favourite monsters are vampires, but ghosts are pretty good too. Recently, they worked on Empress of Blandings Productions' queer noir podcast Hardboiled. The Fabulous Zed Watson! is their first book, which they co-authored with Kevin Sylvester. When not in quarantine they can be found drinking london fogs at local cafes and watching Pride and Prejudice (2005) while they should be working.

Reviews

[b (incognito) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I'm friends with one of the authors, Basil Sylvester (and also I'm super freaking proud of them!!)

Oh my goodness, the amount of dopamine this book gave me-- I was smiling the whole time. "The Fabulous Zed Watson!" is a story I wish I had when I was younger but I still feel so encouraged by reading at the age of 22. In this #OwnVoices middle grade novel, Zed goes on a modern day quest to find the forgotten manuscript of "The Monster's Castle" with their soon to be good friend, Gabe and his older sister, Sam. Fun shenanigans ensue.

I have to start with Zed as our protagonist, they are just as they profess, "TOO ADORABLE!” Zed is a jubilant, curious, kid who keeps the reader thoroughly entertained. When Zed starts talking about something they're passionate about, you have to stop and listen. Gabe is equally a sweetheart and together they make the best detective/monster-fanatics based friendship. Sam is what I would imagine I would be like on this road trip-- constantly amused by Zed and Gabe and always stopping for ice cream. The diverse cast of characters we meet along the way come in at the perfect moments and really complete Zed's world.

The writing style is perfect for this genre and thus, easy for young readers. But I honestly think people would enjoy this book at any age-- the arc of this story is just so compelling. I love the illustrations strewn throughout because we get to see Zed's cool clothes and stops on their journey. I love the way that "The Monster's Castle" segments are woven into the story because we get to figure out the clues and invest in this fantasy world alongside the characters. I also really appreciated how Zed's experience as a nonbinary person is written in such a way that it is connected to every day realities and also teachable for young kids and parents. For example, Zed is deadnamed when crossing the US border but the author never actually writes a deadname because we don't need to know it. Details like this give cis readers a way to reflect on their privilege, and also allow trans and nonbinary readers to relate to Zed while ultimately respecting their identity.

I honestly think this book should be in every school library and I cannot wait for young kids, especially, to read it! It just put me in a really good mood and anytime a book makes you feel better I consider it something truly special. Congratulations to Basil and Kevin!!

[Celia T · Rating 5 out of 5]

!!!!!!!!! Where do I even START with how much I loved this book?? I've been excited to read it for like...two years now I guess? And it was available at my local bookstore slightly before the official release, so you KNOW I snapped it up and read it in one sitting.

Quill & Quire called it "unadulterated joy from beginning to end," which I was prepared to believe but also I kind of thought "dang, that's a high bar, Quill and Quire." But they were right. The Fabulous Zed Watson is unadulterated joy both in the sense that it is by any measure an wonderful piece of writing - but also in the sense that it's been a long time since I read a book that was so exuberantly, unashamedly joyful. I was in a Very Bad Mood today, and reading Zed made me feel like the world is actually maybe a pretty good place full of wonderful people and things.

I know every review is going to say something along the lines of "wow, a queer narrative without heaping spoonfuls of angst/misery/self-doubt/dysphoria," and I don't want to be boring, but it is SO nice to see a protagonist like Zed be so utterly unashamed and unafraid and happy and loving and loved. I think it's also important to note that books like this - books that reviewers describe as Important - have to walk a fine line to avoid being too didactic and after-school-special-y. Zed is Important and Educative without feeling like it's trying to educate you, in a way that kids of all different genders and perspectives and levels of awareness will enjoy and appreciate.

What else? Road trips! Monsters! Jackalopes! Opera! Many, many bad puns! Stripey sweaters! Frybread! Hot butch lesbians! The power of love and friendship! Gratuitous Latin! Very specific Easter Eggs that will only be funny to me and maybe six other people but boy did they make me happy! And...a potato themed dance competition!

Run, don't walk, to your local independent bookstore (ideally after arranging for no-contact curbside pickup) and get yourself a copy (or six) of The Fabulous Zed Watson. Because it is Important, and because it is Valuable, and because you should support CanCon and #ownvoices. But mostly because it is fabulous, and you will have a fabulous time reading it.

[Kaeli Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay so this ruled big time. Kevin and Basil please write the rest of the Monsters Castle now

[Manny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good fictional book-within-a-book story.
The Fabulous Zed Watson was a delight from start to finish. Full of memorable and interesting queer characters with an exciting roadtrip/mystery plot, this book is bound to be beloved by adults and kids alike.

[Ceris Backstrom]

This was so cute!! I loved it!

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fabulous read.

It has everything you could want from a story: word play, road trips, beautiful illustrations, gripping mystery, a potato festival, unique and wonderful characters.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Harper Collins Sprout for this wonderful middle grade adventure that I won in an Instagram contest. I couldn’t put it down and will definitely be passing it on to my daughter-in-law so she can read it to her class. Not only is it an awesome road trip to find a missing manuscript, but it is also full of amazing and quirky characters, all in some way looking for love and acceptance, who I won’t soon forget. The smile is still on my face from when I turned the last page and closed the book.

[Laura Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun, joyful book! Happy to see non-binary representation, too.

[Read by Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The librarian handed me back my card. "Zed. What an interesting name."

"Thanks," I said. "I chose it myself." I lifted my hands to my chin and grinned like I was posing for a picture.

She laughed, and I knew she was cool.

You see, I wasn't born with the name Zed.

My pronouns are they/them, and that's an issue for some people.

But for Jan (that's what the librarian's name tag read), clearly not a problem.

One more reason to love your local library.

Governor General's Literary Award 2021 nominee, Young People's Literature-Text.Non-binary tween Zed and their friend Gabe go on a cross-country "treasure hunt" (with Gabe's older sister Sam as chaperone/driver) in search of an is-it-legend-or-is-it-real manuscript. Written by Canadian broadcaster/author/illustrator Kevin Sylvester with his non-binary offspring Basil, the story presents a lot of interesting supporting characters and escapades as Zed, Gabe, and Sam travel in a rust-bucket vehicle that keeps breaking down. The story was interesting enough, though I wish this Canadian content featured a Canadian landscape. Perhaps Canadians are too woke for a plotline that includes clueless cisgender people who misgender Zed? Or maybe the Watsons wanted the opportunity to highlight the ignorance of the Border Crossing Agency?

The story was just okay for me, but I recognize that as a cisgender adult male, I might not be the target reading audience. However, I can think of some book-loving gender-non-conforming students who will love to see themselves represented in literature. For that reason, The Fabulous Zed Watson! might not be the best book I read this year, but it is definitely one of the most important.

[River Bookshop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zed Watson is a lovable, quirky, whip smart, non-binary character who loves their name (that they chose themselves) and loves monsters. Specifically the monsters in mysterious unpublished novel The Monster’s Castle. Zed belongs to a small internet group of fans who are trying to decipher the clues that will supposedly lead to the remaining hidden chapters of the book - it’s tricky but Zed thinks that they might have cracked the code with the help of a new friend, Gabe. What ensues is a cross country trip that involves ice cream, a potato festival, more ice cream and a race against time to see if they can beat a fellow searcher with nefarious motives.
Written by parent/child team Kevin and Basil Sylvester, the book is an inclusive and heartwarming look at the importance of belonging and friendship and identity. The illustrations are wonderful and the characters are fun and relatable. Great for ages 9+

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This road trip story features a diverse cast of characters including the non-binary title character. Zed and their friend Gabe are addicted to solving the mystery of an unpublished novel that is the subject of the fan forum that brought them together.
The few known chapters of The Monster's Castle are a cult classic. They need to work together to have any hope of finding the hidden chapters of the novel.
Gabe and Zed are fortunate that Gabe's sister Sam is driving to Arizona for university and is willing to take some trips that turn into wild adventures deciphering clues in a graveyard, a potato themed dance off and more. I appreciated having a physical ARC sent by Book Portage friend Kathie MacIsaac, and our group is so thankful to receive it from the authors. I look forward to being able to add this to my school library in early 2021. 4.5 stars.

[Mikaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. As the title says, Zed Watson is utterly fabulous. I don't know if I've met a more endearing character yet this year. Their funky sweaters, snack-ranking system, and passion for books that make them feel seen are absolutely delightful. The wonderful supporting cast and quirky illustrations were such a beautiful addition as well. Plus, Canadian to boot? DELIGHTFUL.

A MUST for any middle-grade classroom library.

[Tabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book, a journey to find the rest of a lost book, found through poetic clues based on nature and the supernatural. A book that's full of twists and surprises until the end, it's also an excellent representation of what it's like to be nonbinary as a young person.

[Zuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky, wonderfully queer, and celebratory! It took me a while to get into this sweet adventure of a book, but I’m glad I stayed with it.

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have long covid brain fog and it took me way too long to finish this book but I really enjoyed it! It was very cute and queer.

[Mrs Heidrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know where to begin with this one and all its amazingness! An adventure, a mystery, a road trip, a book within a book and all that with an amazing nonbinary main character! There are actually two main characters and they're both incredibly enjoyable and both very different, but how they. come together is magic! There are so many layers and components to this and I have to say that I couldn't really predict where the story was going and I LOVE that! A story everyone should read and every school should have! #mustread

[Kelsey L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m turning 29 next month and I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed reading this book. It’s incredibly sweet, funny, and charming. The representation in this book makes it incredibly endearing and the ending made me nearly tear up! (I’m a bit of a gothic horror nerd too, so...)

If you’re not reading it for yourself, I absolutely recommend this as a literary circle option for the teachers out there.

[Kay S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I loved the representation and playful way it deals with traditional gender roles, I found Zed incredibly unlikable. They are rude, self-centred, and bratty and, several times, I cheered Sam’s patience for not pitching them out onto the side of the road. I also really hated how all of the BIPOC characters were regulated to quest-helpers/background characters that Zed and the gang helped by going on their amazing journey. Not one I would ever recommend.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of thr best books I have read in a while. Zed is an amazing non-binary character and a great way to introduce the topic to a class. Well written with a great mystery. This is a fantastic book

[Meghan Enga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and snappy, and I appreciated that it got right into the story and raced along with no flagging. All the characters were solid and worked to drive the story with an authentic feel. It bounced and jumped and I wanted to read it (even though it was a super quick read)- I can see it would be a great middle school read aloud because it doesn’t get mired in details. The main character is refreshingly present and well adjusted for a middle school book; I wasn’t QUITE sure how old they and their friend are -? Which made me pause a few times as it seemed the blasé fabulousness attitude might be a bit old for a - 12? Year old? But maybe not… Worldly Canadian kids after all. It did get a bit much but again… it was true to self, and made the main character not perfect. They got called on it in the most gentlest of ways, but they did get called on it. (This gentleness in how the older sister related to them was one reason I wondered if they were in fact younger than I initially thought, which was like, 14?) The main character was also oddly insensitive to their friend’s blatant discomfort and sadness - the one time he gets a bit vulnerable, the mc quickly switches the conversation back to themself- BUT at the same time yeah, that’s a totally age appropriate thing to do so I can’t really complain about it. I expected more of a ‘and look! We are both tortured souls in our own way!’ Connection between the friends and I was delighted that in fact that inference was just inferred and never spelled out- the heavy was acknowledged but never allowed to drive the story. Unusual and refreshing. Everyone has challenges- every kid has challenges- and sometimes things that one might think would present challenges actually don’t, really, and other things which might seem easy are actually challenging. That’s just how it goes. And no heavy finger wagging, just kids getting real and getting on with it. And eating a lot. Of ice cream. Unabashedly.

[lyraand · Rating 4 out of 5]

More queer middle grade like this please! I love the quiet/serious ones like Ivy Aberdeen, but I always wonder if those tend to appeal more to adult readers than to kids, and I want there to be fun silly books like this one too. It has a road trip with a colorful cast of characters (like the main character's friend's sister Sam, who's buff and refers to her biceps as "my friends Thelma and Louise"), a comfortingly nonsensical fannish mystery about hunting for a long-lost manuscript of the main character's unfinished favorite book, and an ownvoices nonbinary main character who's already out. The main character is also illustrated as fat but it's a complete non-issue for the characters.

I think I'd have loved this book as a kid. Recommended for fans of Lisa Bunker.

Rep: Fat white nonbinary main character who exclusively uses they/them pronouns (and who seems coded as possibly having ADHD, but it's not mentioned); side characters who are implied to be queer women, one white and one Black; side character vaguely implied to be Indigenous (possibly Navajo, based on the geographic location and the mention of fry bread) and possibly a trans woman or otherwise non-cis (she has a trans flag apron); white adult side character implied to be nonbinary (uses exclusively they/them pronouns). Various queer characters mentioned in passing (the Indigenous character's moms, the m/m couple portrayed in the lost manuscript).

Content notes: Main character gets unintentionally/unknowingly misgendered by various strangers, and deadnamed by a stranger, but the deadname does not appear on page, and the misgenderings are varied (sometimes female, sometimes male), so there's no indication of what the main character's assigned gender at birth might have been.

[Wunderdrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title is nominated for the 2023 Hackmatack Award in the English Fiction category.
Our protagonist, Zed, is an exuberant preteen who identifies as non-binary. They love their crazy loud family, and are really into a super specific fandom for a book that was never actually published. Zed participates in an online forum with other fans where they talk about the legend of the lost book, and the supposed clues that were left to lead only the truest, most devoted fan to the hidden location of the original manuscript. When Zed discovers that their neighbour Gabe is also on the forum and has special knowledge of flora and fauna that are heavily factored into the clues, they decide to team up to go on a road trip across the USA. Chauffeured by Gabe's somewhat intimidating sister Sam they set off on their grand adventure, meeting plenty of interesting characters along the way. Also, the ending was extremely satisfying!
I loved Zed's energy and enthusiasm, and the fact that they don't let the clueless adults misgendering them along their journey dampen their spirit. This would be an excellent story to help introduce the concept of gender nonconformity for kids in elementary school.

[Brooklyn || The Wild Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun! I love a queer book about a mystery about a book. There's a ton of adventure and joy in this story and it is sure to keep readers engaged until the end. You've got diverse family dynamics, new & developing friendships, an epic road trip, and a mystery about a book about monsters & plants. One thing I noticed however, is that the authors do use the word "demented" to refer to something 'weird' and that felt off to me. I'm not sure if the word was used in an abelist way or not. Aside from this, I found the language to be progessive and the authors did a great job at explaining Zed's gender identity in a fairly natural/unforced way. I wish we got a bit more of a glimpse into Gabe's life and identity, maybe some of his family dynamics, but ultimately, that didn't really matter. I'll for sure be recommending this book to others!

[Jordan Funke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost didn't give this book the chance it deserved because Zed was kind of annoying at first. I'm glad I pushed past my surface introduction to get to know and love their weirdness and the many wonderful characters along the way. It's the kind of road trip treasure hunt that a nerd like me would love, especially with a special library being the reward. It didn't feel didactic like many middle grade books about newish topics (nonbinary identity in this case). The authors poked fun at the challenges while explaining the feelings that accompany them. Just right for middle grade. My trans/nonbinary middle grade book group is reading this together.

[Joyce Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is aptly named; it is FABULOUS.
I read it in two sittings, and if it hadn't been for the need to sleep, it would have been in one.
A delicious, double-decker chocolate brownie of a book. It has huge chunks of wonderfully drawn characters, tasty puzzles and delicious illustrations all wrapped up in a sweet and satisfying, binge-worthy plot. If it has any nutritional value (and I know it does) I didn't taste it!
The story itself is timeless and yet of our time. An epic quest by two likeable and fully rendered young adventurers who set out to find the best treasure of all--a story--by solving puzzles and overcoming obstacles.
I don't know about you, but I need a sequel.

[Amy Perrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fabulous Zed Watson by Basil Sylvester & Kevin Sylvester
Zed pronouns they/them/theirs loves the Monster’s Castle and working with the fan site to solve clues to find the sequel of the book. He runs into Gabe who loves flowers and Operas. The two or them work together to solve the mystery.

The adventures to find the answers to Monster’s Castle takes them camping, graveyards, potatoe festival, tornados, and a broken down car! All well another person maybe a historian is a few steps ahead of them. Will they get the car fixed on time, so they can be the first to the sequel of a Monster’s Castle?

[Victoria Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classroom: This book came highly rated but I’ll admit, it took me awhile to get into it, maybe because fantasy is not my thing and that was the subject matter of the manuscript the main character Zed, and his classmate Gabe, are chasing - and it was referenced often throughout the story in order to set the scene. Nevertheless, the characters were wonderful, and their relationships hilarious. I loved how we lived alongside the experience of Zed’s non-binary identity, and how the author withheld their birth name and sex throughout. This provides a great conversation point for students about privilege and gender bias: how would our opinions of Zed change if we knew this information?

[Kimberly Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zed is indeed fabulous - they are an outspoken non-binary kid who loves to wear bright colors, listen to disco music, and read about fantastical creatures. Their favorite story is actually just a few excerpts from a long lost book that Zed is certain they can find, with a little help from their neighbor, Gabe, and his sister, Sam. The three embark on an epic roadtrip to try to solve the mystery and locate the book. Throw in an unreliable car, interesting small-town characters, and possibly a villain looking for the same book, and you’ve got a fun, fast-paced adventure that celebrates the things that make Zed - and all of us - unique.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! Can anyone ask for more than adorable characters, monsters in love, a literary puzzle, and a road trip?

I love that these characters are unique individuals. Zed is an adorable non binary nerd. They connect with quiet, shy, Gabe, a nerdy plant enthusiast, over an unpublished book that's disappeared. Between the two of them they decipher clues to the novel's whereabouts. Sam, Gabe's older sister, drives them to the different locations while on her way to university. There's plenty of humour, ice cream, weird festivals, excitement and suspense. It's sure to keep readers of all ages happy.

[Turtleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun romp of a literary scavenger hunt as the heroes track down clues to find the secret hiding place for a lost novel that was never published because of a romantic relationship between two male supernatural creatures. LGBTQ2S+ themes abound in the book but are never heavy handed. Zed, the main character is a non-binary teen and we witness some of Zed's problems navigating life regarding pronouns and legal vs chosen names. Overall, a light-hearted quest novel that might appeal to many teen readers.