Zack Delacruz returns in this series set in San Antonio. It began with ME AND MY BIG MOUTH in 2015 and JUST MY LUCK the following year. This time around sixth grade continues to be a challenge for Zack and even more so with his participation in the school play—A Christmas Carol.
He never intended to try out except for two beautiful creations that changed his mind: Extra credit and the girl he secretly adores. All of his friends from the first books return and although you’ll find an ethnically diverse cast, its never brought up as anything but normal, which is quite refreshing.
Zack’s nervousness and hesitation about performing (a panicked Zack center stage on the cover hints at his predicament), and the relationship with his divorced parents are the main focus. He has to remember his lines and remember which bus to get on each Friday depending on whether he is with Dad or Mom.
A fun read and the perfect start to this holiday season. No worries either if you haven’t read the first two Zack Delacruz books as this does find on its own. And that’s no Bah Humbug!
PUBLICATION DATE: 2018 PAGE COUNT: 192
FULL PLOT
Zack Delacruz wants to win the role of Scrooge in his school’s production of A Christmas Carol—and the lovely Abhi’s admiration, too. But he’s not the only one trying out for the play. So are José (aka El Pollo Loco), Marquis, and Janie – bah, humbug! Bowling balls, gurgling stomachs, complete chaos, and quick detective work turn this year’s drama into a spectacular scene that will have actors rising to new heights—literally—and leave readers rolling in the aisles.
What role will Zack end up playing on stage . . . and in his life? Just in time for the holidays, and with a diverse and funny cast of characters, ZACK DELACRUZ: UPSTAGED (Sterling Children’s Books) is sure to please even the most reluctant readers!
FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: ZACK DELACRUZ: UPSTAGED by Jeff Anderson
- You’ll never look at coffee the same way after Zack’s unfortunate encounter with caffeine.
- His Mom is what you hope all moms to be: A consistent sounding board, listener, and advice giver for the son she loves.
- The effective art work on the cover is continued with images on many of the chapter headings. The best though are the yearbook style renderings of Zack, his classmates and teachers inside the front and back covers.
- I observed an eleven-year-old boy laughing uncontrollably at the potty humor coming into play in several chapters… although I doubt older readers will feel the same way.
- An accurate portrayal of life on the bottom rung of a three grade middle school.
FAVORITE LINES:
The seat next to her was empty.
I gulped. It was go time. My pits trickled a little stream down the inside of my red uniform shirt. I wondered if anyone could see it. Boy, was I glad Mom convinced me to start wearing deodorant.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeff Anderson is the author of Zack Delacruz: Me And My Big Mouth (2015), and Zack Delacruz: Just My Luck (2016) – a middle-grade series that has sold over 30,000 copies! He’s also the author of Mechanically Inclined, Everyday Editing, 10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know, and Patterns of Power. A former elementary and middle school teacher, Jeff travels to schools across the country working with teachers and students to discover joy and power in the writing process.
To learn more visit Jeff’s web site on writing and publishing at WRITE GUY.
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Congratulations to Deb from Michigan. Her name was chosen from four schools and eleven individuals entered in the drawing for THE RENAISSANCE series.
I’ll have a new giveaway later this month so stay tuned!
from the present and past are each featured in their own two-page spreads. They’re presented alphabetically by first name beginning with Ada Lovelace and ending with Zaha Hadid. Read in order or use the handy Contents or Index section to find your favorite.
te the dangers, Delphernia sings in secret. Then one day a Master claims her and takes the young girl above ground where mysteries abound.
THE TURNAWAY GIRLS
European history comes alive with this new four book set from 
the ground and now they’re living in a crowded apartment. Her father disappeared at Thanksgiving. She fears he’s returned to Mexico and will never see him again. There’s also a different school to contend with and a new diagnosis of diabetes. An older brother and sister add to her woes.
‘Crossing the Line’. She graduated with a BA in English from Westmont College and completed her master’s in bilingual literacy at Northern Illinois University. She’s been a classroom teacher, reading teacher, and literacy coach in East Aurora, Illinois’s elementary schools, and a volunteer for Chicago public schools.
This dog loving new title from National Geographic Kids was not one I could review alone. Fortunately, I had my canine companion, Tatum, nearby to give me a hand. She was more interested in sniffing the pages than reading, but I persevered. Tatum’s comprehension is a bit slow at times, but finally declared she was ready to try out the 22 activities.
Always in the Middle... 