Book Descriptions
for Rex Zero, King of Nothing by Tim Wynne-Jones
From The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY)
Rex has matriculated to sixth grade, where he encounters complex situa tions that challenge him to examine his shortcomings. At home, he struggles to live up to his father’s expectations. In his Rex Zero, Private Eye, persona, he stumbles across a maiden in distress who triggers questions about his values: bullying, truthfulness, and friendship. The most terrifying quandary Rex faces, however, is admitting his actions have repercussions that extend beyond his expectations. Rex Zero, King of Nothing is a well-drawn dynamic character who faces situations that will be uncomfortably familiar to many readers. 2009 USBBY Outstanding International Books List. lmp
Originally published by Ground wood Books Canada, in 2007.
From the Publisher
In sixth grade now, the wildly imaginative Rex Zero and his friends hatch a plan to replace Miss Garr, the substitute teacher from hell, and Rex takes on the persona of none other than "Dr. Love." Of course, events spin hilariously out of control. Miss Garr's cruel behavior is a mystery to Rex. But then, Rex's world is full of mysteries! There's the beautiful woman in white. Why does she have a black eye? There's the little black book filled with names. Who could it belong to? And why has Rex's father hidden a letter that begins: "Mein Liebchen"? Could all these things have something to do with the mystery of love? Underneath all of this is the age-old question of how to stand up and be a man. For if, as Rex's dad says, "a man's got to do what a man's got to do," how does Rex know what to do and when to do it?
Delightfully eccentric characters, humorous scenes of well-intended plans gone awry, a finely crafted plot interwoven with serious themes about love and war—this new Rex Zero from Tim Wynne-Jones is a gem!