What do you do when frozen zombies invade your school? Bakari Katari Johnson is faced with this dilemma on a not-so-average day in fourth grade. At the start of his rough day, Bakari discovers he is running for hall monitor against Tariq Thomas, the most popular kid in the class. Fleeing to the bathroom to escape classroom heckling, Bakari is intercepted by a spinning blue disc that pulls him into the frozen wasteland of the Zero Degree Zombie Zone, where he is told he must return the zombie ruler's missing ring by the end of the day or else an army of undead will be unleashed upon the earth. Back at school, Bakari begins his search but realizes he can't return the ring without the help of "golden boy" Tariq and his tough-talking cousin. With Bakari's best friend, the four battle zombie invaders against the clock and learn to work together, instead of against one another. Action and suspense carry the book's zany premise, and Craft's rather cute illustrations add to the simple, agreeable fun.

When Bakari is nominated for hall monitor, he provokes hostility from his classmates Keisha and Tariq. To make matters worse, Zenon--the king of an icy zombie dimension--kidnaps Bakari and threatens to destroy humanity if a missing magical ring is not returned. Both classroom and interdimensional conflicts are quashed in this fresh (if underdeveloped) urban fantasy. The slick black-and-white illustrations are unfortunate.

Gr 3-7 Nonfiction writer and Essence Magazine editor Bass has partnered with talented illustrator Craft to create a champion with whom many middle grade readers will identify. Bakari and his easy-going best friend, Wardell, must save the world from the evil ice king, Zenon, who has lost his ring and is looking for revenge. It seems that popular but cocky Tariq and Keisha may have the ring. How will the two boys solve the problem of returning the ring and standing up to the pushy pair all in one day? Refreshingly, this tale stars an African American cast. This colorful, well-illustrated story contains friendship, magic, zombies, and plenty of adventure. Readers will surely clamor for further installments from this talented duo. Jane Hebert, Glenside Public Library District, Glendale Heights, IL