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Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Zombies

by Katie & Kevin Tsang

Interest age: 6 to 8
Reading age: 7+

Published by Farshore, 2020

  • Adventure

About this book

Sam Wu has faced plenty of challenges in his short life – the dark, ghosts, spiders and sharks – but when his worst enemy, Ralph Zinkerman the Third, admits that he has a zombie werewolf living in his basement, Sam’s bravery is put to its greatest test ever. Luckily, he has a team of friends to help him tackle the horrors that lurk beneath Ralph’s enormous mansion.

This is the latest in a funny, energetic series that children aged around seven will love. Like the others in the series, it is highly illustrated and each page is bursting with visual interest. Beneath the humour, there are positive messages about team-work, acceptance and friendship. Sam has to get to grips with the idea that his worst enemy might actually become his friend. Another well-handled theme which will resonate with readers is wealth disparity – Sam and his friends are amazed, though not cowed, by Ralph’s enormous house.

The Sam Wu series stands out from other series because of its warm-hearted, gentle hero and its focus on making friends. It would be a great choice for children who find Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Horrid Henry a bit too cynical.

About the author

Kevin Tsang was born in Copenhagen in 1987 to Hong Kong Chinese parents and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He’s lived and worked in the USA, Australia and Hong Kong, and is currently based in London.

Kevin is the co-author of the young fiction series Sam Wu is Not Afraid, which he writes with his wife, author Katie Tsang (nee Katherine Webber). The series was inspired by wanting to see more books featuring children from Asian heritage backgrounds but which are accessible and enjoyable to all children. Some of Sam Wu’s experiences are based on Kevin’s own childhood. In each Sam Wu book, Sam faces a different fear but, with the support of his family and friends, as well as his own bravery, he’s able to overcome each worry. Kevin hopes that children will be both inspired and entertained by the Sam Wu books.

About the author

Katherine Webber is originally from California but currently lives in London. She has also lived and worked in Hong Kong, Maui, and Atlanta.

Her debut YA novel Wing Jones was published by Walker Books in the UK and Penguin Random House/Delacorte in the US. Katherine also writes the young fiction series Sam Wu is Not Afraid as Katie Tsang with her husband Kevin Tsang. 

Katherine is a former BookTrust employee and we all miss her terribly!

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