Rex Zero and the End of the World - Softcover

Wynne-Jones, Tim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0312644604 ISBN 13: 9780312644604

Publisher: Square Fish, 2013

Synopsis

"Who wouldn't want to spend time with the . . . eccentric Norton-Nortons?"―M. T. Anderson

Why does everyone seem so scared? That's what the new boy in town, Rex Norton-Norton, aka Rex Zero, wonders as he rides his bike through Ottawa's streets. Is it spies? Kidnappers? Or is it because of the shadowy creature some say is stalking Adams Park? One thing is certain in this summer of 1962 as the Cold War heats up: nothing is quite what it seems. What's a boy to do? If his name is Rex Zero and he has a bike he calls "Diablo," five wild and funny siblings, an alpha dog named Kincho, a basement bomb shelter built of old Punch magazines, and a mind that turns everything inside out, he's bound to come up with an amazing idea.

With its mystery, adventure, laugh-out-loud scenes of family chaos, and underlying message of hope, this wonderfully original novel from Tim Wynne-Jones explores the impact of doomsday on the imagination of one smart and funny twelve-year-old boy.

About this title

About the Author

TIM WYNNE-JONES is one of Canada's premier children's authors. His highly praised books include, The Boy in the Burning House, winner of the Edgar Award, and A Thief in the House of Memory, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, and a Kirkus Reviews Editor's Choice. His next book, Rex Zero and the Great Pretender, will be available from FSG in Fall 2010. He lives near Perth, Ontario.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From Rex Zero and the End of the World
Kincho stops at the top of the steps that lead down into Adams Park. He sits, which is kind of amazing. I didn't know he knew how. It gives us both a chance to catch our breath.
 
I look at the park stretching out before me. The moon is low in the sky, so all the shadows seem to be pointing right at me. I've never been out this late alone, and it's kind of exciting. The park is long and sinewy, like a snake. The paths look white under the moon. It's so quiet. Dead quiet, dark and empty. It smells of nothing but cool greenness. I sit down on the top step beside the dog, with my arm around his neck. If Adams Park were a stadium like Lansdowne Park, these would be the dollar bleachers.
 
Then I hear something - I'm not sure what - but Kincho hears it, too, and both our heads swivel toward the wall of trees flanking the north side of the park. I don't see anything moving - anything except the trees. If Kincho sees anything, he isn't saying, but he's on red alert, I can tell. The breeze picks up and the trees seem to turn their heads to look up the field, like fans watching a car spin out of control on the northeast turn. We follow their gaze, Kincho and me. He growls low in his throat.
 
"What is it, boy?"

About this edition

• Publisher: Square Fish
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0312644604
• ISBN 13: 9780312644604
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208