Never Insult a Killer Zucchini

by Elana Azose, Brandon Amancio, David Clark (Illustrator)

Overview

This is one science fair you’ll never forget!
 
When Mr. Farnsworth, the science-fair judge, declares that he loves zucchinis, the Killer Zucchini is smitten. As the judge makes his way through the exhibits alphabetically—A (antimatter), B (bionic limb), C (cloning)—the Killer Zucchini tries to show his affection. But when Mr. F gets to K and admits he likes to eat zucchini with ranch dressing, the Killer Zucchini gets steamed and attempts to exact his revenge on the snack-loving judge using the other science-fair projects as his means to an end.
 
Hilarious havoc ensues as the entire science fair is destroyed by his wrath.
 
Engaging backmatter provides the science behind the science fair entries created by the characters in the story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607348276
Publisher:	Charlesbridge
Publication date:	02/09/2016
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
Lexile:	500L (what's this?)
File size:	33 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

ELANA AZOSE lives in Rodondo Beach in Southern California where she works with students at El Camino College. This is her first picture book. BRANDON AMANCIO develops software and designs his own video games. He lives in Kirkland, WA. This is his first picture book.

BRANDON AMANCIO develops software and designs his own video games. He lives in Kirkland, WA. This is his first picture book. 

DAVID CLARK is the illustrator of more than fifteen books for children, including Fractions in Disguise, What’s for Dinner? Quirky, Squirmy Poems from the Animal World, and Pirate Bob. David lives in Luray, Virginia.

Read an Excerpt

Science Fair: Projects please line up from A to Z. 

"We're doing it in alphabetical order this year." 

"Good idea, after what happened last time."

Editorial Reviews

2015-11-11
An alphabetical walk through the exhibits in a school science fair is the backdrop to one killer zucchini's vendetta. A young student's zucchini project has eyes for the science fair judge…until a careless remark turns the vegetable from thoughts of love to thoughts of revenge. All this plays out among the remainder of the science projects, until the judge redeems himself. Less a story than an un-paneled comic that is a series of quips, this book takes some attention to detail to follow, and the humor is likely too mature for even the oldest typical picture-book readers. Under the Cloning project sign, two identical kids argue about who is the real one, and for the Hybrid project, a child remarks that "Mrs. Punny likes you, Mr. Farnsworth." The project is a combination rabbit and parrot. Quantum Mechanics depicts a cardboard box labeled "Tool Box." Inside are two Einstein look-alikes holding a wrench and a screwdriver: "They fix stuff before it breaks." Backmatter gives a tongue-in-cheek though educational paragraph of information about each of the projects and the science behind it—all have some basis in reality. Clark's bright and busy illustrations portray a nice mix of genders and races. All in all, more fun for the science-fair judges than the participants. (Picture book. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews