Split Screen: Attack of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies / Bride of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this is really two books in one (teens flip it over to read the parellel story). Each book is narrated by a gay character (Russel is a gay boy and Min is bisexual girl) as they try to figure out their romantic relationships. There is some same-sex kissing. Russel, thinking he sees his ex-boyfriend in another man's arms, accuses him of "picking up old guys in parks." Russel also stays out to 5 a.m. with a boyfriend, making "the most of our time together." Min's parents are OK with her sexuality, while Russel's mother says "homosexuality is disgusting."
Families can talk about the unique way this book is constructed. Why did the author choose to write two different books, rather than combine Russel and Min's stories into one? Did you notice that sometimes they describe the same scene completely differently? What does that tell you about the protagonists? And how does that put you as a reader in a position of power? What do you think some of the limitations of writing this way might be?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kate Pavao
This is a fun way to read a book -- once you're done with Russel's story, you can flip the book over and read Min's. Teens will have a good time piecing together what really happened, even when each protagonist has a different perspective.
But beyond the entertaining premise, readers may find themselves truly moved at moments, such as when Russel talks about how frightening it is to grow up gay ("most of us gay people grow up surrounded by people who we know don't understand us and who, if they knew the truth, might very well completely reject us").
This is more than an identity book about gay characters -- the protagonists here also learn important lessons about learning to see the complexity of real life, and real people, from dealing with parents to handling first loves.
From The Book
I didn't answer. The truth was, I hadn't picked him I'd picked Otto. That's what had been so obvious when I'd stared in the mirror at school, when I'd seen the reflection of that zombie glaring back at me. Being a zombie was about being dead, about the past, about a life already lived. Kevin was about the past, too. He and I had had our chance, but the moment was gone. We couldn't go back -- everything was different now.
Plot Summary:
In this follow-up to Hartinger's Geography Club, two gay friends -- a guy and a girl -- decide to work as extras on a zombie movie being filmed in their town. In Min's story, she falls for a girl who is still in the closet and must decide if she is willing to keep a secret. In Russel's, his long-distance relationship is threatened when his popular ex-boyfriend decides he wants him back. Will they be able to solve their romantic drama before the movie wraps? Perhaps, with a little help from their personal support networks -- and each other.
Related Books:
Also by Brent Hartinger
Geography Club
Other Gay Characters
Getting It by Alex Sanchez
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Sexual ContentRussel is a gay boy and Min is bisexual girl. Each protagonist tries to figure out their romantic relationships. There is some same-sex kissing. Russel also stays out to 5 a.m. with a boyfriend, making "the most of our time together." Also, Russel, thinking he sees his ex-boyfriend in another man's arms, accuses him of "picking up old guys in parks." |
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CommercialismSome discussion of favorite Disney rides. |
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