There’s a new student coming to class and no one is looking forward to it. The kids have been told he’s called Bust ‘Em Up Bill, but they aren’t sure why. Rumors fly as they try to decide what Bust ‘Em Up Bill will be like.
Each student has their own idea of how Bill must have gotten his name. Suzy Frederick is sure he’s six feet tall and set kids hair on fire with his horrible breath. Penny Jinx thinks he must torture kids on the playground and make them swing from the monkey bars – by the tails. T.J. McGravy says Bill doesn’t exercise in gym class, but makes kids run around the track 5,000 times – sideways. Who to believe? How bad will Bust ‘Em Up Bill be?
The Student From Zombie Island was written by Michael J. Moorhead when he was just seven years old. The book teaches children the danger of believing rumors and reminds readers that rumors can easily grow out of control and be far from the truth. It’s a funny book – well written and includes adorable illustrations by Kathy Parks.
I enjoyed this book, as did my children. My daughter will be starting kindergarten in the fall, so this book came at a perfect time. It helped open up discussion about rumors and how to treat new kids at school and is written in such a way that it made it a fun topic to talk about instead of feeling threatening.
Article comments
1 - Jordan
I go to school with this kid, he is awesom.e