Now Showing: Lizard Beast Versus The Zombie Horde
Blockbuster Action … and Big-Time Betrayal!
Riley and his best friend Finn are after top prize in their school’s online film competition. The only thing missing from their amazing stop motion zombie flick – the fans! But Riley’s plan to promote the big blockbuster at a hockey game quickly gets upstaged by Finn’s jumbo screen antics who seems bent on becoming a viral dancing zombie. Finn ends up famous…and Riley ends up furious. Can the boys’ movie making partnership – and their friendship – survive?
With fun-tastic zombie and movie making graphics – plus hilarious glimpses into Riley’s Movie Notebook – you’ll love joining Riley as he tries to prevent his best friendship, his action flick (and a secret crush!) from going ‘off script’!
James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers
Copyright: August 22, 2016
ISBN (paperback): 978-1-4594-1127-2
ISBN (epub): 978-1-4594-1128-9
Page Count: 168
Interest ages: 8-12
Reading level: Grade 4
Lexile Reading Level: 650L
An Excerpt from "My Best Friend is a Viral Dancing Zombie"
CHAPTER ONE – RISE OF THE MIGHTY LIZARD BEAST!
On the ride home from school, Riley and Finn talked non-stop about their movie.
“We’ll make Lizard Island out of pillows and blankets,” said Riley. “Good thing my living room carpet looks like sand . . .”
“I’ll make a soundtrack on your keyboard,” said Finn. “And some homemade sound effects . . .”
Their ideas were flowing like molten lava from an erupting volcano.Riley grabbed his movie notebook from his backpack. He turned to a fresh page to write everything down. He wasn’t going to let a single thought slip away!
“Lizard Beast Versus The Zombie Horde”
A Stop-Motion Action Blockbuster Script!
Written, Animated, Filmed and Directed by Riley Foster
Music and Sound Effects by Finn SawchukThe Cast:
Riley as “Rocket”
Finn as “Flapjack”
Slow-Mo the bearded dragon as “Lizard Beast” (voice by Finn or Riley)
Riley and Finn as Various ZombiesThe Main Movie Idea:
Lizard Beast’s private island is under attack from an army of Special Ops soldiers who have turned into zombies. Two soldiers — with the code names “Rocket” and “Flapjack” — are immune to the zombie virus. They become Lizard Beast’s allies. The three best friends must work together to defeat the Zombie Horde . . . but time is running out!
Great Reviews of "My Best Friend is a Viral Dancing Zombie"
“Karin Adams has created another winning story. Anyone who has ever tried to complete a group project knows how hard it can be to get everyone working together and giving their best effort. Add the pressure of competition for a class award, jealousy over attention from a cute girl, and other frustrations – and you have a situation ready to careen out of control… There is plenty of humor and very realistic scenes of school life, with classmates trying to ingratiate themselves with the viral dance star, issues over files on shared computers, body spray, and teasing about boyfriends and girlfriends.”
– Suzanne Costner, Librarian Netgalley Reviewer
“Full of school-age humour… My Best Friend is a Viral Dancing Zombie is at its best in its excerpts from Riley’s storyboards that punctuate his struggle to get his action movie and his friendship with Finn back on track.”
– Todd Kyle, CM Magazine
“This unexpectedly fun book has enough zombie action and funny screenplays to keep readers hooked.”
– Alice Albarda, Resource Links
Karin Adams Author & Creative Writing Coach
Karin Adams is a children’s author and creative writing instructor. Her books include Lights! Curtains! Cows!, No TV? No Fair!, My Best Friend is a Viral Dancing Zombie, and Mermaid Warrior Squad. Her 2014 middle grade novel Frostbite Hotel was shortlisted for the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award and SYRCA’s Diamond Willow Award.
Karin’s latest book is The One Week Writing Workshop (coming soon). It is a non fiction, practical guide for adults who aspire to write a novel.