In a world where “zombie season” is a scheduled annual event rather than a surprise apocalypse, surviving the school year means following strict protocols and staying very, very quiet.
Justin Weinberger kicks off this high-stakes series with Zombie Season, introducing readers to Joule, Regina, and Oliver. These three kids live in a world governed by alarms and emergency drills designed to keep the “undead” at bay. However, when the usual safety measures fail and the zombies behave in ways no one had predicted, the trio must rely on their own wits and their parents’ scientific research to survive. With at least two books currently available—Zombie Season and Dead in the Water—this series offers a clear, manageable path for students who are ready to move beyond simple chapter books but aren’t quite prepared for dense, doorstopper novels.
For students who find reading a chore or are still mastering English, these books provide a fantastic “way in” through pure genre excitement. The language is contemporary and conversational, mirroring the way middle-schoolers actually speak, which helps ELL students pick up authentic language with modern idioms and social cues. While the books don’t rely on internal illustrations, the consistent branding and the recurring “what happens next” cliffhangers create a sense of familiarity that builds reading stamina. Because the characters and the rules of the world stay the same from book to book, readers don’t have to start from scratch with every new volume; they can lean on what they already know about Joule and Regina to help them through more complex plot points. In a classroom setting, the scientific mysteries and public safety themes offer great hooks for discussions about real-world ethics and community responsibility.
Total Books in Series: 3 Best Starting Point: Zombie Season
