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Zombie Season #1
Zombie Season
The next innovation in the book and gaming space is Zombie Season! Read the book. Play the game. Fight the undead. You know the protocol. You've completed countless drills. Yet nothing can truly prepare you for what’s coming. No one is ever ready for zombie season . . . Joule refuses to evacuate with her mom. She can't leave town while her dad's still missing. He's out there, somewhere, and Joule is going to find him. But what if he's not just lost? What if he's become what she most fears? Regina is proud of her scientist parents, especially now that they're working on a weapon to keep the zombies at bay. But when she discovers a dark underside to their new technology, she must decide what matters her family's reputation... or saving lives. Oliver is sick of the drills. What's the point in pretending you can run and hide when it's clear the zombies are growing faster and stronger than ever? But when the adults refuse to accept this scary truth, Oliver must find a way to sound the this year's zombie season is very, very different. Something has changed, and time is running out to stop it... Join the fight by going on your own zombie-hunting missions online!
240 pages, Hardcover
Published September 5, 2023
13 people are currently reading
2126 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 1, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
It's the end of the world, but a kid still has to do homework, right? In California, there is always some problem, and summer means an increase in the number of zombie attacks. Oliver tries to be prepared, and pays attention to the drills that his gym teacher organizes to ready the students for zombie attacks. He has maps of town, the best escape routes, and a go bag by the door of his house. Joule has a different feeling about the Dusk-- her father has been missing for a year and is most likely a zombie. If she leaves their farm, as her mother would like to do, how will she ever be able to find her father and help him? Regina's mother is a scientist with HumaniTeam who is trying her best to deal with this new challenge; at one point, she even came up with Project Coloma to harness the power of zombies walking and convert it to electricity, although this goes badly wrong. Two things that keeps the zombies going are trash (you can throw it in front of them and buy yourself some time while they eat it) and their superheated blood. Stopping them requires water guns filled with super cooled water that disables them and then makes them evaporate. When this technique doesn't seem to work as well, and Regina thinks that there is a zombie boy trying to communicate with her, everything the kids know about zombies gets called into question. Is Regina's mother's company working for good, or are their some evil plans afoot? When the entire area experiences a tremendous surge of zombies seemingly immune to previous ways to vanquish them, will anyone survive?
Disclaimer: As an old person, I find it increasingly hard to suspend disbelief in order to enjoy zombie and vampire books. In the first place, if this were a real concern, wouldn't everyone in the world be either a zombie or a vampire? Additionally, in case of any sort of apocalypse, I am heading out the front door and throwing myself at the first zombie I see. It's not going to be worth surviving. This worldview made it harder to properly enjoy this book.
Strengths: I can appreciate some well developed zombie lore, and like Bayron's The Vanquishers, this has a lot of good details about what zombies are like, how to fight them, how society is adapting to their presence, and even a scientific corporation trying to do research into how to utilize them. On top of that, there is a lot of fighting and running around, which is important. There's even a bit of dark humor, with Oliver recognizing that while it seems silly to do homework when the world is ending, sometimes you have to do the things that you CAN control. The characters are all well developed and have different reactions to what is going on. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing. This is a little more serious than Kloepfer's Zombie Chasers (2011) but not as serious as Higson's (2010) The Enemy.
Weaknesses: I wasn't all that clear on how the zombie plague started, but I might have just missed in. Anyway, students usually don't want that much background; they just want BRAINS.
What I really think: I guess we haven't had many new zombie books in a while (not counting the Minecraft books here!), so this is a solid title to purchase for all middle school collections, where there will ALWAYS be students interested in zombie fighting. For me, however, once the zombies broke into the house at the beginning of the book, I knew that everyone should be dead, and it made it hard to focus. Remember, I am old and jaded. When I think about vampires living forever, all I can get my mind around is "That is an eternity of folding socks"!
There's also apparently a 39 Clues style web site game, and I'm not even going to investigate that. I have absolutely no patience for any sort of video gaming, and think that young people should spend no more than half an hour a day on screens. Sigh.
It's the end of the world, but a kid still has to do homework, right? In California, there is always some problem, and summer means an increase in the number of zombie attacks. Oliver tries to be prepared, and pays attention to the drills that his gym teacher organizes to ready the students for zombie attacks. He has maps of town, the best escape routes, and a go bag by the door of his house. Joule has a different feeling about the Dusk-- her father has been missing for a year and is most likely a zombie. If she leaves their farm, as her mother would like to do, how will she ever be able to find her father and help him? Regina's mother is a scientist with HumaniTeam who is trying her best to deal with this new challenge; at one point, she even came up with Project Coloma to harness the power of zombies walking and convert it to electricity, although this goes badly wrong. Two things that keeps the zombies going are trash (you can throw it in front of them and buy yourself some time while they eat it) and their superheated blood. Stopping them requires water guns filled with super cooled water that disables them and then makes them evaporate. When this technique doesn't seem to work as well, and Regina thinks that there is a zombie boy trying to communicate with her, everything the kids know about zombies gets called into question. Is Regina's mother's company working for good, or are their some evil plans afoot? When the entire area experiences a tremendous surge of zombies seemingly immune to previous ways to vanquish them, will anyone survive?
Disclaimer: As an old person, I find it increasingly hard to suspend disbelief in order to enjoy zombie and vampire books. In the first place, if this were a real concern, wouldn't everyone in the world be either a zombie or a vampire? Additionally, in case of any sort of apocalypse, I am heading out the front door and throwing myself at the first zombie I see. It's not going to be worth surviving. This worldview made it harder to properly enjoy this book.
Strengths: I can appreciate some well developed zombie lore, and like Bayron's The Vanquishers, this has a lot of good details about what zombies are like, how to fight them, how society is adapting to their presence, and even a scientific corporation trying to do research into how to utilize them. On top of that, there is a lot of fighting and running around, which is important. There's even a bit of dark humor, with Oliver recognizing that while it seems silly to do homework when the world is ending, sometimes you have to do the things that you CAN control. The characters are all well developed and have different reactions to what is going on. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing. This is a little more serious than Kloepfer's Zombie Chasers (2011) but not as serious as Higson's (2010) The Enemy.
Weaknesses: I wasn't all that clear on how the zombie plague started, but I might have just missed in. Anyway, students usually don't want that much background; they just want BRAINS.
What I really think: I guess we haven't had many new zombie books in a while (not counting the Minecraft books here!), so this is a solid title to purchase for all middle school collections, where there will ALWAYS be students interested in zombie fighting. For me, however, once the zombies broke into the house at the beginning of the book, I knew that everyone should be dead, and it made it hard to focus. Remember, I am old and jaded. When I think about vampires living forever, all I can get my mind around is "That is an eternity of folding socks"!
There's also apparently a 39 Clues style web site game, and I'm not even going to investigate that. I have absolutely no patience for any sort of video gaming, and think that young people should spend no more than half an hour a day on screens. Sigh.
December 1, 2023
I got this book for free, in exchange for my honest opinion via NetGalley.
Zombies, zombies, and more zombies! Joule, Regina, and Oliver live in the city of Redwood. And like every other city, then are preparing for the upcoming zombie season. However, this year, the local zombies are more active, and Redwood residents are doing everything to avoid the horde.
These zombies are not like the ones you see on television or in the movies. These zombies eat more than just brains. The eat everything. Tress, houses, cars. Whatever is in their way, they will devour.
Joule, lost her father when zombies rose unexpectedly and ate everything in sight. This type of activity can fade quickly if the zombies have nothing to eat and can become a wave which is extremely dangerous. Joule refuses to believe her father is gone, and has ran away from home to looks for him before her mother puts her on a plane and away from Redwood for good.
Regina, the daughter of a local scientist, finds it difficult to make and keep friends, because she's more into science and the zombie problem. Regina has worked with her mother on a new project to make the zombies useful instead of destruction. She is excited about the launch, until something goes awry.
Oliver is frustrated with the zombie prevention training at his school. He knows Redwood like the back of his hand, and even had mapped every trail, short-cut, and path. He attempts to get his Coach to change the training and make it more useful, but he won't listen.
All three kids, and their families are caught in not one, but multiple waves of zombies coming towards their city. Nothing the Zombie Fighting Brigade does seems to keep them back.
I love zombies, and this was my first middle grade zombie book. I'm not sure what I expected, but it wasn't this. It's a fun and interesting take on the zombie trope with a more original twist. I'm sure it's a good read for the age group, but for me, personally, it felt lacking. And some of the dialogue felt clunky.
I rated it 3, because that's kind of in the middle. I didn't love the book but I didn't hate it either. I've read plenty of middle grade books before that I enjoyed, but this wasn't one of them. That's not to say it wasn't a good read. There was just the right amount of angst and drama for the target audience. Joule, Regina, and Oliver were written as "real" kids, so it makes them more relatable
Zombies, zombies, and more zombies! Joule, Regina, and Oliver live in the city of Redwood. And like every other city, then are preparing for the upcoming zombie season. However, this year, the local zombies are more active, and Redwood residents are doing everything to avoid the horde.
These zombies are not like the ones you see on television or in the movies. These zombies eat more than just brains. The eat everything. Tress, houses, cars. Whatever is in their way, they will devour.
Joule, lost her father when zombies rose unexpectedly and ate everything in sight. This type of activity can fade quickly if the zombies have nothing to eat and can become a wave which is extremely dangerous. Joule refuses to believe her father is gone, and has ran away from home to looks for him before her mother puts her on a plane and away from Redwood for good.
Regina, the daughter of a local scientist, finds it difficult to make and keep friends, because she's more into science and the zombie problem. Regina has worked with her mother on a new project to make the zombies useful instead of destruction. She is excited about the launch, until something goes awry.
Oliver is frustrated with the zombie prevention training at his school. He knows Redwood like the back of his hand, and even had mapped every trail, short-cut, and path. He attempts to get his Coach to change the training and make it more useful, but he won't listen.
All three kids, and their families are caught in not one, but multiple waves of zombies coming towards their city. Nothing the Zombie Fighting Brigade does seems to keep them back.
I love zombies, and this was my first middle grade zombie book. I'm not sure what I expected, but it wasn't this. It's a fun and interesting take on the zombie trope with a more original twist. I'm sure it's a good read for the age group, but for me, personally, it felt lacking. And some of the dialogue felt clunky.
I rated it 3, because that's kind of in the middle. I didn't love the book but I didn't hate it either. I've read plenty of middle grade books before that I enjoyed, but this wasn't one of them. That's not to say it wasn't a good read. There was just the right amount of angst and drama for the target audience. Joule, Regina, and Oliver were written as "real" kids, so it makes them more relatable
September 26, 2023
Read in one sitting! Excellent new take on Zombies, with really smart characters taking on the undead—and alive—in first installment of new series. I finished and wanted more. Middle grade boys and girls will LOVE this book, along with the game, which I utterly failed at—
Zombie Season #1: ZOMBIE SEASON, by Justin Weinberger
A smart, new take on Zombies perfect for middle grade boys, girls and reluctant readers. In this dystopian future, zombies have become part of life. Super-heated Zombies eat everything in their path, and when they group together in swarms, they can take out entire towns in minutes. Their eyes glow orange from their internal heat, and when grouped, their combined temperature and eyes light the sky in an eerie orange, alerting humans with a Dusk Alert, an early-warning system, like tornado and weather watches. Joule, Regina and Oliver are brought together after surviving unexpected zombie attacks. They figure out something is different, but no one will listen to a bunch of 11-year-olds. Until it’s too late. I especially love the super-smart, survival skills of the characters, especially because of how often kids this age are dismissed as being too young. I finished this book in one sitting, and I'm definitely left wanting more. This book is bound to be a hit with juvenile readers, boys and girls, reluctant readers for sure, and also mystery and espionage fans, because by the end, it turns out there is much more at stake, and much going on behind-the-scenes, setting up the second book as the three investigate more on the origins of the zombies. Also a game on Roblox! I tried and failed, but I did get past level one. I'll need to have one of the kids teach me to play, since I'm more of a puzzles girl versus a first-person multi-player. Scholastic and Roblox's partnership creates the perfect book and game team to capture the imaginations of gamers, reluctant readers, and zombie slayers alike. Read the book. Play the game. Fight the undead. Scholastic Press, Sept. 5, 2023, Ages 8 - 12, $15, 9781338881714. Genre/BISAC: Juvenile Fiction, Science Fiction, Zombies, Plagues, Espionage, Thriller, Adventure, Survival, Distopian, Not-too-Scary Stories.
Zombie Season #1: ZOMBIE SEASON, by Justin Weinberger
A smart, new take on Zombies perfect for middle grade boys, girls and reluctant readers. In this dystopian future, zombies have become part of life. Super-heated Zombies eat everything in their path, and when they group together in swarms, they can take out entire towns in minutes. Their eyes glow orange from their internal heat, and when grouped, their combined temperature and eyes light the sky in an eerie orange, alerting humans with a Dusk Alert, an early-warning system, like tornado and weather watches. Joule, Regina and Oliver are brought together after surviving unexpected zombie attacks. They figure out something is different, but no one will listen to a bunch of 11-year-olds. Until it’s too late. I especially love the super-smart, survival skills of the characters, especially because of how often kids this age are dismissed as being too young. I finished this book in one sitting, and I'm definitely left wanting more. This book is bound to be a hit with juvenile readers, boys and girls, reluctant readers for sure, and also mystery and espionage fans, because by the end, it turns out there is much more at stake, and much going on behind-the-scenes, setting up the second book as the three investigate more on the origins of the zombies. Also a game on Roblox! I tried and failed, but I did get past level one. I'll need to have one of the kids teach me to play, since I'm more of a puzzles girl versus a first-person multi-player. Scholastic and Roblox's partnership creates the perfect book and game team to capture the imaginations of gamers, reluctant readers, and zombie slayers alike. Read the book. Play the game. Fight the undead. Scholastic Press, Sept. 5, 2023, Ages 8 - 12, $15, 9781338881714. Genre/BISAC: Juvenile Fiction, Science Fiction, Zombies, Plagues, Espionage, Thriller, Adventure, Survival, Distopian, Not-too-Scary Stories.
December 8, 2023
Henry and Dani read. I am shocked to say - I really liked this one!
September 5, 2023
The MOST FUN BOOK your kids will read this year!! Zombies Zombies Zombies!! This book is a fun and interesting take on the zombie trope with an original twist. Regina, Joule and Oliver do the endless drills so they are prepared for zombie season. But, are you ever really ready when the zombies swarm?
This book was a good read that middle graders are going to love-well written with a plot full of secrets and twists. There is angst/drama that is perfect for the target audience. The characters of Regina, Joule, and Oliver are written as 'real' kids so readers will relate to at least one of them. The science parts were believable and the zombies were awesome; why are there zombies? what happens if a zombie 'gets' you? The secrets and sneaky stuff will blow your reader away! The best part is the QR CODE included in the book that invites readers online to join ZOMBIE HUNTING MISSIONS!
Very well done and 4 stars. I was given a copy to read before it was released (thank you, Scholastic! #ZombieSeason #NetGalley) and I highly recommend you get this book for your middle grader. FIGHT THE UNDEAD!!
This book was a good read that middle graders are going to love-well written with a plot full of secrets and twists. There is angst/drama that is perfect for the target audience. The characters of Regina, Joule, and Oliver are written as 'real' kids so readers will relate to at least one of them. The science parts were believable and the zombies were awesome; why are there zombies? what happens if a zombie 'gets' you? The secrets and sneaky stuff will blow your reader away! The best part is the QR CODE included in the book that invites readers online to join ZOMBIE HUNTING MISSIONS!
Very well done and 4 stars. I was given a copy to read before it was released (thank you, Scholastic! #ZombieSeason #NetGalley) and I highly recommend you get this book for your middle grader. FIGHT THE UNDEAD!!
September 7, 2023
Joule, Regina and Oliver live in the city of Redwood. Like every other city, they are in preparation for zombie season. This is a time of year when the local zombies are particularly active, and Redwood residents do everything to avoid them.
These zombies aren't like what the world is used to on TV and in movies. These zombies don't just eat brains, they eat everything. That includes trees, cars, houses, people, and whatever is in their way.
Oliver is getting frustrated at zombie avoidance training at school. He knows Redwood like his own face and has mapped every trail, short-cut, and path around his town in a notebook he carries everywhere. He tries to get his Coach to change their training and make it more useful in the Dusk - when the sky turns a shade of red as zombies rise in the summer and kick up clouds of dust, but Coach just won't listen.
Joule lost her father to a flashpoint - when zombies rise unexpectedly and eat everything in sight. These can fade again quickly if the zombies have nothing to eat for their fuel or can become a wave which is extremely dangerous. Joule refuses to believe the father she adored is gone, and has run away from home to look for him before her mother puts them on a plane away from Redwood forever.
Regina is the daughter of a local scientist. She finds it hard to make and keep friends because she is more interested in science and the zombie problem than social media or who is wearing what. In fact, Regina worked with her mum on an amazing new project to make the zombies useful instead of just pure destruction. She is excited at the launch - until everything goes horribly wrong....
All three children and their families are caught up in not one but multiple waves of zombies swarming towards their city. Nothing the Zombie Fighting Brigade does can keep them back, with all the usual tools not working like they should.
Some zombies even look like they are actually thinking before attacking. There even seems to be a leader! What is going on?
The cover drew me in, and then the title. I always like a good zombie story. Zombie Season is different however to any other story I've read. These zombies eat everything in their path to fuel themselves leaving pure devastation behind them. Reading about living with this constant threat was intriguing, and the key characters are all young and trying to do something about it.
When zombie behaviour begins to change from the norm, tension rises within the story. It becomes even more tense when everything is tipped on its head. The tools humans use around the world to eradicate zombies, might just be making things worse, and some researchers might just be going too far in their search for answers.
These story threads draw the reader into the next book coming in this series.
These zombies aren't like what the world is used to on TV and in movies. These zombies don't just eat brains, they eat everything. That includes trees, cars, houses, people, and whatever is in their way.
Oliver is getting frustrated at zombie avoidance training at school. He knows Redwood like his own face and has mapped every trail, short-cut, and path around his town in a notebook he carries everywhere. He tries to get his Coach to change their training and make it more useful in the Dusk - when the sky turns a shade of red as zombies rise in the summer and kick up clouds of dust, but Coach just won't listen.
Joule lost her father to a flashpoint - when zombies rise unexpectedly and eat everything in sight. These can fade again quickly if the zombies have nothing to eat for their fuel or can become a wave which is extremely dangerous. Joule refuses to believe the father she adored is gone, and has run away from home to look for him before her mother puts them on a plane away from Redwood forever.
Regina is the daughter of a local scientist. She finds it hard to make and keep friends because she is more interested in science and the zombie problem than social media or who is wearing what. In fact, Regina worked with her mum on an amazing new project to make the zombies useful instead of just pure destruction. She is excited at the launch - until everything goes horribly wrong....
All three children and their families are caught up in not one but multiple waves of zombies swarming towards their city. Nothing the Zombie Fighting Brigade does can keep them back, with all the usual tools not working like they should.
Some zombies even look like they are actually thinking before attacking. There even seems to be a leader! What is going on?
The cover drew me in, and then the title. I always like a good zombie story. Zombie Season is different however to any other story I've read. These zombies eat everything in their path to fuel themselves leaving pure devastation behind them. Reading about living with this constant threat was intriguing, and the key characters are all young and trying to do something about it.
When zombie behaviour begins to change from the norm, tension rises within the story. It becomes even more tense when everything is tipped on its head. The tools humans use around the world to eradicate zombies, might just be making things worse, and some researchers might just be going too far in their search for answers.
These story threads draw the reader into the next book coming in this series.
November 28, 2023
This middle grade novel was something I really enjoyed and something I didn’t expect. I wondered how this world would would function, how these children would function in a world like this.
Let me tell you it was fantastic and I’ll say right now it was a 5 star read and I absolutely recommend it.
In Zombie Season, zombies erupt from the ground in random clusters and devour everything in their path. They give off heat, stench and are pure destruction. They are a fantastic, and I mean fantastic allegory for wildfires caused by climate change and pollution. I really loved it.
And the characters. We get multiple points of view. Each of them felt fully fleshed out and the voices were different. And they were really going through it. One worried her mother would never be proud of her, another was scared she’d never see her father again as himself. She was literally living in the forest trying to find him. All of them come together to try to solve their problems and it was great.
I loved how this story went and the ending was very satisfying. I really enjoyed it. And even though I’m an adult, the idea of zombies erupting from the ground and just demolishing anything in sight was genuinely scary to me. And the thought of it happening to family and friends.
This was such a good book and a very fun read. Again, 5 stars. Go ahead and pick up a copy.
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to them and the publishers.
Let me tell you it was fantastic and I’ll say right now it was a 5 star read and I absolutely recommend it.
In Zombie Season, zombies erupt from the ground in random clusters and devour everything in their path. They give off heat, stench and are pure destruction. They are a fantastic, and I mean fantastic allegory for wildfires caused by climate change and pollution. I really loved it.
And the characters. We get multiple points of view. Each of them felt fully fleshed out and the voices were different. And they were really going through it. One worried her mother would never be proud of her, another was scared she’d never see her father again as himself. She was literally living in the forest trying to find him. All of them come together to try to solve their problems and it was great.
I loved how this story went and the ending was very satisfying. I really enjoyed it. And even though I’m an adult, the idea of zombies erupting from the ground and just demolishing anything in sight was genuinely scary to me. And the thought of it happening to family and friends.
This was such a good book and a very fun read. Again, 5 stars. Go ahead and pick up a copy.
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to them and the publishers.
October 11, 2023
ZOMBIE SEASON – by Justin Weinberger
‘It’s a day for impossible things here in Redwood, and this is only the beginning.’
‘During zombie season, your whole mind has to be ready for a sudden unnatural disaster to strike at any time. You always have to know the closest zomb shelter, the quickest path to a sizable body of water . . . because, during an unnatural disaster, there can be no hesitation. No questions. When the sirens go off? You grab your go bag and move, full stop.’
That was a heartbreaking and intense read! I am a huge Zombie fan, so I knew going in this would be a fun ride.
Weinberger creates a version of Zombie that is unique (Which I Love!) and adds to the suspense in the story throughout; however, some scenes feel a bit off in regards to the anticipated tension based on the visual expectation of the reader toward what transpires at various points of the narrative, pulling me out of the story at times.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, and look forward to reading and sharing what Weinberger comes up with next.
Reading Age: 8 – 12
Grade Level: 3 – 7
Thank you, NetGalley and Scholastic Press, for providing me with an eBook of ZOMBIE SEASON at the request of an honest review.
‘It’s a day for impossible things here in Redwood, and this is only the beginning.’
‘During zombie season, your whole mind has to be ready for a sudden unnatural disaster to strike at any time. You always have to know the closest zomb shelter, the quickest path to a sizable body of water . . . because, during an unnatural disaster, there can be no hesitation. No questions. When the sirens go off? You grab your go bag and move, full stop.’
That was a heartbreaking and intense read! I am a huge Zombie fan, so I knew going in this would be a fun ride.
Weinberger creates a version of Zombie that is unique (Which I Love!) and adds to the suspense in the story throughout; however, some scenes feel a bit off in regards to the anticipated tension based on the visual expectation of the reader toward what transpires at various points of the narrative, pulling me out of the story at times.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, and look forward to reading and sharing what Weinberger comes up with next.
Reading Age: 8 – 12
Grade Level: 3 – 7
Thank you, NetGalley and Scholastic Press, for providing me with an eBook of ZOMBIE SEASON at the request of an honest review.
April 27, 2024
I really wanted to like this book. It was a fun zombie story with a fresh take on zombie tropes and interesting speculative science. The world building was genuinely really good, and the writing was strong and tense.
The characters were also quite interesting, but there was something that stuck out to me that bothered me a lot. While Oliver, the main male character, had very little flaws other than his single-mindedness (which, in the end, was what helped him save the day), the two female main characters were portrayed a lot less strongly and were often in trouble that they had to be saved from, whereas Oliver got to save himself. It was very uncomfortable and made me a quite a bit upset.
While the prose was good, the writing also left some things to be desired. The constant perspective shifts and head hopping made it hard to figure out what was going on and made several scenes blend together. There were also two major reveals at the end of the story, but both of them were glossed over and barely held any weight.
Two stars for the worldbuilding and prose, minus stars for the weird treatment of the female characters and the funky writing. Oh, and take one more star away for making me read the word “ooky” too many times!
The characters were also quite interesting, but there was something that stuck out to me that bothered me a lot. While Oliver, the main male character, had very little flaws other than his single-mindedness (which, in the end, was what helped him save the day), the two female main characters were portrayed a lot less strongly and were often in trouble that they had to be saved from, whereas Oliver got to save himself. It was very uncomfortable and made me a quite a bit upset.
While the prose was good, the writing also left some things to be desired. The constant perspective shifts and head hopping made it hard to figure out what was going on and made several scenes blend together. There were also two major reveals at the end of the story, but both of them were glossed over and barely held any weight.
Two stars for the worldbuilding and prose, minus stars for the weird treatment of the female characters and the funky writing. Oh, and take one more star away for making me read the word “ooky” too many times!
July 3, 2023
First disclosure: I received an Advanced Reading Copy of Zombie Season as part of Scholastic's Fall 2023 Virtual Picnic; Second disclosure: I am not usually a fan of zombie fiction. That being said, Weinberger wrote an immensely interesting YA zombie adventure. The pacing at times was neck breakingly fast which at times did distract from the overall quality - my only negative.
On the plus side, the characters were well developed and interesting. I see young readers easily relating. Even more important Weinberger had a very unique take on zombie mythos. This was a very original read. Weinberger delve deeper than the norm in what makes zombies tick. These were not your average zombies.
This is book one of a multimedia adventure for Scholastic with books, online content and video games to support the concept and entertain readers. A very promising and fascinating start. I think this could work well with reluctant YA readers.
On the plus side, the characters were well developed and interesting. I see young readers easily relating. Even more important Weinberger had a very unique take on zombie mythos. This was a very original read. Weinberger delve deeper than the norm in what makes zombies tick. These were not your average zombies.
This is book one of a multimedia adventure for Scholastic with books, online content and video games to support the concept and entertain readers. A very promising and fascinating start. I think this could work well with reluctant YA readers.
August 31, 2023
Zombie season has begun early. And while the protagonists in Zombie Season know each other, the story begins with each child dealing with his/her individual concerns and unique emotions. The reader gets to experience multiple perspectives in a seamless story, and see how emotional weaknesses can transform into strengths. The only reason I didn't rate this at 5 stars is because while almost all the relationships are fully earned, the friendship between two of the girls is forced. I would have liked to have had more of a "why" explanation for the new zombies, and I thought Nix's character arc was left undeveloped for the reader. The ending was also rushed, which made me feel like it was pushing for a sequel but without a huge cliffhanger. Still, the relationship/emotional aspects make for a wonderful read.
October 22, 2023
Zombie Season by Justin Weinberg was a fun novel. I had seen a few reviews of older audience rating it low, so I wanted to give it a look. I thought it was the perfect type of zombie story for the younger audience. To the point when I finished the novel, I bought a copy and gave it to my little sister to read. (She loved it.)
To be fair not everything worked for me. But I am not the target audience. So, I talked to her about it, and she disagreed with me about every point except for the last one. Some of the side character development I thought could be stronger. And some of the world building could've been more flushed out. But overall, I will continue to recommend this book to people.
4 1/2 stars.
To be fair not everything worked for me. But I am not the target audience. So, I talked to her about it, and she disagreed with me about every point except for the last one. Some of the side character development I thought could be stronger. And some of the world building could've been more flushed out. But overall, I will continue to recommend this book to people.
4 1/2 stars.
January 1, 2024
3.5
The science for this big departure from traditional zombie lore is... Well, completely lacking 😂
However, it held the attention of both myself and my 11 year old with ADHD, so that makes up for a lot. I also thought the children were all very distinct with interesting personalities. Though they were oddly gifted in various ways to all be concentrated in one neighborhood. That's not terrible, I like it when books give children role models and aspirations and remind them that they are capable even when young. Just an observation.
There's also a lot of sorrow and loss in this book, just fyi. My kid almost abandoned it after an entire family was eaten by zombies in the forward. He stuck it out though, and he was glad he did.
The science for this big departure from traditional zombie lore is... Well, completely lacking 😂
However, it held the attention of both myself and my 11 year old with ADHD, so that makes up for a lot. I also thought the children were all very distinct with interesting personalities. Though they were oddly gifted in various ways to all be concentrated in one neighborhood. That's not terrible, I like it when books give children role models and aspirations and remind them that they are capable even when young. Just an observation.
There's also a lot of sorrow and loss in this book, just fyi. My kid almost abandoned it after an entire family was eaten by zombies in the forward. He stuck it out though, and he was glad he did.
August 4, 2023
I loved Nix so much as a character. His character arc and growth were perfect. I loved the mystery aspect as well of the book. I'm excited for my son to read this book. He's my child who loves scary things and monster adventures.
This is a great zombie adventure book for children ages 10 and up who are obsessed with all things monsters, zombies, and dystopias. I would recommend this book for libraries, classrooms, and reluctant readers who love zombies.
Thank you to Scholastic Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own.
This is a great zombie adventure book for children ages 10 and up who are obsessed with all things monsters, zombies, and dystopias. I would recommend this book for libraries, classrooms, and reluctant readers who love zombies.
Thank you to Scholastic Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own.
September 10, 2025
Waves of zombies surging from beneath the earth is now a common occurrence in society - but when Joule seeks her missing father, Regina investigates her parents' experiments, and Oliver improves his town's survival tactics, their paths cross and reveal terrifying new truths about these mutant hordes. Weinberger offers young readers a decently paced adventure with snippets of creative lore, though its rushed developments and weak execution of personality and twists leave it overall uninteresting. Something is different about this year's zombies...
October 29, 2023
👦🏻 review: this book is perfect for this Halloween read. I have always been intrigued with zombies but this one is definitely an entertainment. My thought has always been, what if this becomes real because of so many scientists trying to find the fountain of youth?! But this one, Regina and Oliver’s crazy hunch had me thinking the same thing…what ifs?!? This chasing, twisting and turning is a very good book. I enjoyed it so much.
August 30, 2023
This was so coooool!! I’m excited to explore this world more as I see a second book may be forthcoming. The concept of having a game to go along with the book is super fun but I really wish it wasn’t a Roblox game. Nothing against Roblox, I’m just not familiar with it and the camera movement gave me a headache.
I received an ARC of this through my work!
I received an ARC of this through my work!
August 12, 2023
We enjoyed this fast-paced Zombie book for Middle Grade readers. A lot of action, worth the read. We did not get to play the video game that accompanies the book though. Here are our full thoughts on Zombie Season... https://youtu.be/8ZAIHD3TuFg
November 6, 2023
This was such a fun read! I loved this take on a zombie book. I got a little lost at times but that may have been due to listening to this as an audiobook; though I loved the different voice actors for each character.
July 22, 2024
Amazing,emotional,thrilling and inspiring I love this book it is horror and fiction I think books like this are amazing 🥲 as they give a different meaning…. BE PREPARED FOR THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE 💀🧟🧟♂️🧟♀️ARGH !!!!!
Love and a flock of doves 🕊️
Xxxxxxx
Love and a flock of doves 🕊️
Xxxxxxx
September 19, 2023
This is a fun take on the zombie genre! It's a perfect balance of adventure and creepy. I can't wait until book 2 is published. (I might even give the game a go...)
October 15, 2023
Fun zombie book that also has a game you can download and play.
November 21, 2023
A first book in a new series about zombies.A easy read in one setting.
November 22, 2023
Decent J zombie apocalypse story, set-up for a series, which is slightly disappointing.
December 23, 2023
Worst book I've read this year. Hated it - a 12 year old girl
January 3, 2024
Original, fast-moving zombie apocalypse adventure unlike any other. Climate change, evolving zombies and kids fighting to save the world!
March 7, 2024
Immediately sucks you in. Fun ride.
June 3, 2024
Ehh not our type of book.. maybe it be for you.
October 2, 2025
For a child's book this was captivating enough to keep my interest. It was not overly scary or graphic. It was a great story for my 8 year old.
August 20, 2023
I can easily say this middle grade take on zombies was completely original and unique, which is hard to do with zombies these days. Zombie Season is a fast paced, high stakes dystopia with a really fun cast of characters. Scholastic also made a "39 clues" style video game that accompanies the book - where kids can play online and interact with the characters from the story!
I did have some struggles with suspending disbelief throughout the book, but my daughter thought the concept of weather zombies was awesome and horrifying at the same time so maybe it's just a grown up prob.
Thank you to Scholastic for my gifted ARC!
I did have some struggles with suspending disbelief throughout the book, but my daughter thought the concept of weather zombies was awesome and horrifying at the same time so maybe it's just a grown up prob.
Thank you to Scholastic for my gifted ARC!
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