Runway ZomBee
A Zombie Bee Hunter's Journal
by J. A. Watson
North Star Editions

Jolly Fish Press
Middle Grade , Outdoors & Nature
Pub Date 06 Mar 2018


I am reviewing a copy of Runaway ZomBee through Jolly Fish Press and Netgalley:


Despite the fact it is summer vacation Raksha isn't relaxing much. There is a project left before her science squad team earns their last badge and maybe even a trip to Hawaii. But she has also been invited to attend a highly competitive fashion camp, an opportunity she can't just pass up.


It isn't long before her science squad work hunting for ZomBee's is taking over her life. Leaving her with almost no time to prepare for her fashion camp runway show.


Can Raksha prove that she can be both fashion queen and science geek as well.


I give Runaway ZomBee five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Runaway ZomBee: A Zombie Bee Hunter’s Journal by J.A. Watson

Runaway ZomBee: A Zombie Bee Hunter’s Journal by J.A. Watson is the first in a series titled Science Quad #1. It is at the level for a Middle Schooler with a female (Science nerd) main character and issues around mean girls, learning about bees and their peril, and trying to do it all.

The book mixes a number of different issues and has each resolved by the end of the story. The main character, Raksha is aware that being a science nerd does not have to define her. She also loves fashion and designing. What a great way to spend her summer working on with her Science Club with ZomBee Research and participating in a fashion course guaranteed to assure her non-nerd status in seventh grade.

I laughed out loud reading this book - in a public place. I felt for the main character as she was feeling more and more squeezed by the mean girl. I enjoyed her creative nature and loved her independence. I also loved how she was willing to apologize when she realized she treated a friend poorly.

This is a book that I will recommend to my students and a series that I will follow in hopes of showing girls that they are not just nerds if they like science. There are other lessons within the book that could benefit the middle school aged student.

Fun book! I love the way it's written. Perfect for early readers that want something interesting!

Runaway ZomBee is an entertaining story with a diverse main character interested in both science and fashion. This juxtaposition of her interests shows readers they can have multiple interests and do not have to adopt one simple identity- an important message. While the simplicity of the story may keep reluctant readers from turning the page, students interested in either STEM or fashion will most likely maintain interest. As a side note, based on the main character’s voice and personality, as well as the accompanying illustrations, I did not picture her older than fifth grade. This perceived immaturity may be a turn-off for older readers.