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Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Zip Zilch is the first book in Paul Maitland's Nobody's A Nothin' series. Corey Zilch is about to start seventh grade at Hanway High Middle School. With two parents who don't care much for his interest in cross-country running, bullies like Noford Hammond and Booger Schmidt making his life miserable, and his inability to talk to girls, Corey has a lot on his plate. Fortunately, he has found himself two new friends, Sarah and Hu. After joining Hanway's middle school cross-running team, Corey dedicates himself to his training, which a mysterious individual is trying to sabotage. Meanwhile, he learns something about Noford that makes him see his bullies in a new light. Can Corey discover the identity of the mysterious prankster? Will his team ever win a race?
Author Paul Maitland has written a heartwarming tale about friendship, teamwork, and embracing new adventures with this captivating story. Zip Zilch will appeal to preteens and young adult readers alike. With a kind-hearted twelve-year-old as the main protagonist, it's easy to root for Corey as he navigates school, cross-country running, friends, girls, and bullies. The narrative is filled with drama, mystery, and intrigue. Maitland's humor was right up my alley, and I found some of the scenes truly hilarious, particularly the one with the Zilch family dining at The Peking Pagoda. I also enjoyed Corey's friendships with Sarah and Hu, as well as the different relationship dynamics between the members of the cross-country team. The Zilch family seemed like a real-life middle-class family in a small American town. All in all, it's a fantastic book for preteen and young adult readers.
