Sixteen-year-old Charlie Abbott lives with her father, a once-brilliant mathematician subject to mood swings and depressive episodes.

Making sure her dad gets out of bed and takes his meds is part of Charlie's daily routine, but lately she's been distracted by her crush, Lachlan. Her grades are slipping and her mom is starting to ask questions. When Lachlan finally asks her out, Charlie is over the moon--until she realizes that her father has disappeared. With only a note to go on, Charlie begins to retrace her father's steps. Along the way, she meets people who help her understand not only where he might be but also who he really is. As she discovers the truth, her search takes on greater urgency and scope.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

An empowering story about how friendship and imagination can help overcome bullying.

When a classmate hurts his feelings by calling him a fairy, Brandon turns to his imagination and his two best friends, who rally to his side. Brandon informs his pals that he is now a zombie who will destroy his enemies with his tears. They respond by turning into a ghost and a vampire, ready to protect him from the mean words being thrown at him during recess.

What starts as a bullying moment ends in a creative and empathetic exchange between the boys. Brandon is able to smile again -- especially when the friends come to a decision on his new nickname: the Zombie Prince.

Luc Melanson's graphic illustrations bring humor to this sensitive story about kindness and imagination healing the hurt left by unkind words.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.6
Identify who is telling the story at various points in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7
Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.7
Explain how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting)