The Big Stink (Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie Series #4)

by David Lubar

Overview

"I figured, being dead, my life would become a lot simpler. I wouldn't have to take care of myself or worry about stuff like eating the right food. But dead kids have a whole different bundle of problems."—Nathan Abercrombie

It's a stinky situation when Nathan's school, Belgosi Upper Elementary, develops a mold problem and his class is forced to share space with the first graders. Soon the eighth graders show up too, including Rodney the bully's older and meaner brother, Ridley. Could he be the reason for the stinky, putrid, rotten smell that seems to be following Nathan around? It's up to Nathan, Abigail, and Mookie to solve the mystery of the big stink before it pollutes the entire town.

Fans of David Lubar's popular Weenies short story collections, which have sold more than one and a half million copies, are sure to enjoy this fourth hilarious installment of the adventures of Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780765325105
Publisher:	Tor Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/31/2010
Series:	Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie Series , #4
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	6.16(w) x 11.06(h) x 0.29(d)
Lexile:	530L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

David Lubar created a sensation with his debut novel, Hidden Talents, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Thousands of kids and educators across the country have voted Hidden Talents onto over twenty state lists. David is also the author of True Talents, the sequel to Hidden Talents; Flip, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a VOYA Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror selection; five short story collections: In the Land of the Lawn Weenies, Invasion of the Road Weenies, The Curse of the Campfire Weenies, The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies, and Attack of the Vampire Weenies; and the Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie series. Lubar grew up in Morristown, New Jersey, and he has also lived in New Brunswick, Edison, and Piscataway, NJ, and Sacramento, CA. Besides writing, he has also worked as a video game programmer and designer. He now lives in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

Reading Group Guide

Questions for Discussion

1. As The Big Stink begins, why has Nathan's fifth grade class been relocated to Borloff Lower Elementary? What physical features make this a challenge? Who else has been relocated to Borloff Lower? How does this affect lessons, lunchtime, and recess for Nathan and his friends? Compare this plan to the grade level organization of your school.

2. Mookie announces that the move to Borloff Lower "stinks." What other problems "stink," both literally and figuratively, in the course of the story?

3. Who are Rodney and Ridley Mullasco? What is Nathan's relationship to each of these boys? How would you describe the Mullascos' relationship to each other? Use quotes from the story to support your description. Do you think Rodney or Ridley is the worst bully? Explain your answer.

4. How does Nathan feel about being a spy for B.U.M.? What is B.U.M.'s mission? Does this mission affect the way Nathan behaves in other parts of his life? Give some examples to show how this might be the case.

5. Compare and contrast the different ways Abigail and Mookie try to help Nathan. Is one way better than the other? Do their strategies complement each other? Why or why not? Do you have friends who relate to you, and help you with problems, in different ways? Describe how this can be useful or challenging, using examples if possible.

6. What is "Bear Season" and how does Nathan's mom handle it? What is the result of her first attempt at costume ordering? Do you talk to your parents about their jobs? Do you know if they are relaxed or stressed about their work? Do you think parents should share information about their work with their kids? Why or why not?

7. Besides joining B.U.M., how has becoming a zombie changed Nathan's life? What physical changes have taken place and what is their result? How does Nathan deal with these changes? Why has Nathan begun to smell?

8. In chapter 9, Nathan says, " I thought about the cover of Mookie's comic book with all the badly rotted zombies...I could hear the screams kids would make when they saw me. I'd be a real monster." How might you comfort Nathan at this moment in the story? What makes a "monster"? Do you agree with Dr. Cushing when she tells Nathan that "most adults would give up if they were in your situation. Don't ever think you lack courage" (chapter 13)? Explain.

9. How does Nathan feel about the various teachers and coaches who appear in the story? Do these teachers ever surprise him? Do you think he approaches his lessons with Mr. Murphy differently than his classroom lessons? Why or why not?

10. What skills does Nathan use when he sneaks aboard the garbage barge to intercept the R.A.B.I.D. drop? Who comes to the rescue when the barge begins to sink? Who winds up rescuing whom? What realization does Nathan make while he is floating in the water?

11. In chapter 18, Nathan wishes he could use his zombie skills to help his mom with her troubles at Stuffy Wuffy. Is he able to do this and, if so, how? What other problems does he solve at the same time? Does his being a zombie have anything to do with these other solutions? Why or why not?

12. Beyond an adventure about a rotting kid zombie, might The Big Stink be read as story about seeing the connections between people, ideas, and situations? Who makes—or realizes how to make—such connections? What connections do you observe? Do you see any lessons in these connections that might apply to your own life?

Editorial Reviews

This is a great choice for reluctant readers and anyone who enjoys humorous stories. Despite being filled with farts and vomit, ultimately it's a sweet story about the importance of friendship, family, and doing the right thing.” —School Library Journal

“Kids will get a chuckle out of Nathan and his friends.” —Children's Literature

“The first book in a promising new series introduces likable characters beset by unusual but humorous circumstances... Will appeal to reluctant readers.” —School Library Journal on My Rotten Life: Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie #1

“Nathan is a delightful hero—a former semi-nerd and frequent subject of smackdowns, adventitiously turned cool customer—which, to zombies, comes naturally.” —Kirkus Reviews on My Rotten Life: Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie #1

“Lubar has a fine time inventing gross-outs, but he also knows how to incorporate believable character motivation and work the heck out of a metaphor. It appears inevitable that a sequel shall rise from the grave.” —Booklist on My Rotten Life: Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie #1

“The over-the-top narrative will appeal to readers who like their humor twisted, and might even have some wishing that they, too, could be a half-dead zombie.” —Publishers Weekly on My Rotten Life: Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie #1

“You have to love a writer who can rhyme zombie in his title. Readers of Lubar's Hidden Talents will enjoy his silly/funny style of storytelling.” —NY Post Entertainment Section on My Rotten Life: Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie #1

From the Publisher

Gr 4–6—Nathan is still searching for a cure for being half dead, not to mention trying to make it through gym class in one piece. The fifth graders are temporarily sharing a classroom with the eighth graders, including Ridley, a bully who has it out for Nathan and pretty much anyone else who happens to be around. To make matters worse, Nathan is starting to rot and the smell is becoming quite a problem, especially since only his two best friends know about his condition. And when he's not worrying about Ridley or stinking, Nathan continues to spend his nights training as a spy for the Bureau of Useful Misadventures, where his zombie skills can be put to good use. This is a great choice for reluctant readers and anyone who enjoys humorous stories. Despite being filled with farts and vomit, ultimately it's a sweet story about the importance of friendship, family, and doing the right thing. While it does reference incidents that occurred in previous books, it stands on its own.—Kerry Roeder, The Brearley School, New York City

School Library Journal