The Undead Road (My Zombie Summer Book 1)
#1 in My Zombie Summer Series
on Goodreads (114)
What’s inside...
Nothing brings the family together like a zombie apocalypse. Fifteen-year-old Jeremy Barnes would rather watch a zombie movie than shoot a real one, but he has no choice if his family wants to survive the end of the world. Their plan is to drive across the infected United States to a cabin in the Colorado Rockies without a scratch, but their trip takes a complicated detour in the middle of Nebraska when they find Kaylynn, a girl who can handle a baseball bat better than Jeremy can hold a .45 Beretta. And when they stumble into a sanctuary, Jeremy soon learns that Kaylynn is stronger than she looks—a deadly secret lies inside her. After the radio picks up a distress call from Kansas City about a possible cure, Jeremy’s parents go with a team to investigate. They never return. The only way to find their parents is for Jeremy and his sister Jewel to rely on a dangerous girl who might just turn on them at any moment.
Discussion points
How do you think the main character's feelings change throughout the story?
What choices would you make if you were in the same situation as the protagonist?
What are some ways the characters show bravery or teamwork?
How does the setting influence the events in the story?
What lessons can we learn about friendship and trust from the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their own experiences to those of the characters, fostering empathy and deeper understanding.
Discuss the decisions made by the characters and explore alternative choices, enhancing critical thinking.
Identify and talk about the moments where characters show courage or collaborate, linking these behaviors to real-life values.
Use descriptive scenes from the book to visualize the story together, making reading a more immersive experience.
After reading, ask your child to summarize the book’s message, reinforcing comprehension and retention.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Throughout 'The Undead Road', characters must work together to survive the zombie apocalypse, showcasing the strength found in unity and cooperative effort.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the importance of working with others, whether in school projects, sports teams, or family activities to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist demonstrates bravery as he navigates the dangers of a zombie-infested world, teaching readers that courage is not the absence of fear, but the resolve to face it.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to tackle their own challenges boldly, whether it's trying out for a school play, standing up to a bully, or dealing with personal fears.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving under pressure
Explanation: The characters frequently find themselves in perilous situations requiring quick thinking and resourcefulness, which exemplifies effective problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of staying calm and using their intellect to solve problems, whether in academics, personal relationships, or unexpected situations.
Example Lesson: Importance of hope and perseverance
Explanation: Despite the bleak circumstances, the characters in the book maintain hope and a will to push forward, illustrating resilience.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of perseverance and optimism, especially when faced with difficult situations or failures in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Ethical decision-making
Explanation: As the characters encounter various moral dilemmas, the story explores the complexity of making the right choice under challenging circumstances.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to reflect on their actions and the consequences, promoting an understanding of ethical behavior in their daily interactions.