My Rotten Life (Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie) [Paperback]

David Lubar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 2009 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie (Book 1)

Ten-year-old Nathan Abercrombie is having a really bad day. First, Shawna Lanchester, the prettiest girl in his class, doesn’t invite him to her party. Then he gets picked last in gym class. Things couldn’t get any worse…until he gets doused with an experimental serum that turns him into a half-dead zombie!

 

Nathan soon discovers that being half dead isn’t all bad. He doesn’t need any sleep, so he can stay up all night and play games online. He doesn’t feel any pain, so there’s no need to worry about Rodney the bully anymore. Still, Nathan would rather be human. Will he find a cure? Or will Nathan be half-dead forever?

 

Fans of David Lubar’s popular Weenies short story collections—which have sold more than one million copies—will love My Rotten Life, the first of a series of hilariously rotten adventures starring Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–6—Fifth-grader Nathan Abercrombie has more problems than just being unathletic and unpopular. After a particularly grueling day, he is convinced by outcast Abigail to try a new remedy developed by her scientist uncle called Hurt-Be-Gone, which kills emotions. When Nathan is inadvertently doused in the substance, he becomes partially dead. He no longer needs to eat, breathe, or sleep, and he doesn't feel any pain. With Abigail's uncle on the lam from the police, Nathan has only Abigail and his friend Mookie to restore him back to life before the remedy takes full effect, making him permanently dead. The first book in a promising new series introduces likable characters beset by unusual but humorous circumstances. The gross-out factor—Nathan gets a fork jammed through his nose, loses a thumb, and pulls off a little finger—will appeal to reluctant readers. This book will have a large following.—Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY END --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

PRAISE FOR MY ROTTEN LIFE:

 

“Being dead has never been cooler. Go Nathan Abercrombie! You’re a zombie for the 21st century.”—Gordon Korman, author of 39 Clues: One False Note and No More Dead Dogs

 

“My Rotten Life stinks—but that's only when Nathan Abercrombie belches. The rest of the book is a delightful and disgusting story about friendship that will leave you in stitches.”—Lisa Yee, author of Millicent Min, Girl Genius

 

“If you like half dead zombie comedies, this is the book for you.”—Dan Gutman, author of Babe and Me

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Starscape; 1 edition (August 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076531634X
• ISBN-13: 978-0765316349
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #472,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > Popularity

More About the Author

David Lubar is a genuinely funny guy who spent several years programming computer games. He has published several novels for young readers, including Flip, Wizards of the Game and Hidden Talents. Born in New Jersey, David now lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, his daughter, and three cats.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Light Summer Read for Kids!, August 10, 2009

By 

Pam Tee "Busy Mom" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: My Rotten Life (Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie) (Paperback)

Some days just stink.

Nathan Abercrombie is having the worst day of his life. To say that it was horrible would be an understatement. First off, he's diss'd by the prettiest girl in school-- the one he just happens to have a huge crush on. Then he's chosen last during gym. And then... and then, in a foolish effort to ease the heartache of being stuck forever at the losers' table, he gets talked into visiting a mad scientist, where he accidentally gets doused with an experimental fluid that leaves him dying, one inch at a time.

I won't disclose the rest of the plot (nor the twist at the end), but suffice it to say that Nathan and Abigail (the mad scientist's neice) and Nathan's best friend Mookie, end up on a hunt for a cure for Nathan's zombie-like condition. A hunt that teaches them quite a few life lessons.

Wrap-Up:::
If you've got a kid who has a funny bone and who likes a little gross humor, point them at My Rotten Life.

It's a light-hearted book that they should amuse most kids (and mom's like me!). David Lubar's jazzy writing keeps the story moving along. And I swear he had me chuckling outloud on just about every page.

Funny and insightful, Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie ought make a good Read-aloud. Now that I've finished the book, I plan on sharing it with my 7- and 9- year-olds.

No foul language. No unseemliness, unless you count a little rotting flesh.

Pam
mom and Reviewer at BooksForKids-reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Zombie? Not me!, August 27, 2009

By 

Tim Lasiuta "Comic Fan 42" (Red Deer, Alberta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Rotten Life (Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie) (Paperback)

Some kids books just don't make the grade, no matter what age level they're written for. Thankfully, My Rotten Life is more than your `age appropriate' book.

At Belgosi Junior High School Nathan Abercrombie is a nobody. He sits at the loser table, and gets marks that distinguish nobody. His friends are not high on the social hierarchy either. Going to an Uncle of one of his less popular classmates, he is splashed by a Hurt No More cure that turns him into zombie one piece of body at a time. His friends Mookie, Abigail, and Adam suffer with him but only Mookie, and science wonder Abigail know his situation. His mom think he's not well, and his teachers don't notice his malady. He can't breathe, eat, or use the washroom, but he can run and field day without pain. In `death' he excels, in life, he sucks. Live or dead, Nathan will never be without friends again and his life will not be the same ever.

So as to not give the book away. This is a delightful, silly, enthusiastic , charming book that David Lubar put his heart into. It shows. The pacing is excellent, the characters are kids my son may know, yet it is divorced enough from reality to give a `why not' ?

As a parent, I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I think it's on par with Deep Fried Worms and other classic kids books. Well done Mr Lubar!

Tim Lasiuta

[...]

5.0 out of 5 stars Light-Hearted Read, December 26, 2011

By 

Christine (Portland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Rotten Life (Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie) (Paperback)

Well written for its intended audience - i would say kids (probably mostly boys) ages 8-12. My Rotten Life is full of light hearted humor and just enough ick factor to make it fun. Highly recommended.