Book Review: Ambition's Not an Awful Word by Zack Zage, Illus by Adam Watkins

Synopsis: Ambition’s Not An Awful Word focuses on young Zack Zage, who’s “busting his buttons” with excitement to speak. The subject for the day in Mrs. Grundy’s fourth grade class is, “What I want to be.” Unfortunately, he’s stuck at the end of the alphabet. When he finally takes center stage, he goes all out. An astronaut! Of course! - But the cheese on the moon turned out to create a sticky situation. And Mrs. Grundy wasn’t amused. Perhaps he’d try being a cowboy? - But not until all the stalls are cleaned and the work is done.

Ambition’s Not An Awful Word focuses on young Zack Zage, who’s “busting his buttons” with excitement to speak. The subject for the day in Mrs. Grundy’s fourth grade class is, “What I want to be.” 

Unfortunately, he’s stuck at the end of the alphabet. When he finally takes center stage, he goes all out.

An astronaut! Of course! - But the cheese on the moon turned out to create a sticky situation. And Mrs. Grundy wasn’t amused.

Perhaps he’d try being a cowboy? - But not until all the stalls are cleaned and the work is done.

How about a chef? - But the only thing Zack has ever cooked is a weenie on a campfire.

A singer, an artist, doctor, lawyer, banker, or even by golly, a world-famous writer? 

To his dismay, each of his precocious dreams is met with less than glowing enthusiasm. He is beaten down by the naysayers.

Once home, defeated and exhausted, his mother reassures him with the lines, “...Ambition’s not an awful word, wipe off that silly frown. In your own imagination, you’re supposed to reign supreme. Oh, the moon left you this message,’ It’s OK to dream.’”

Review: Obviously this is aimed at older kids, as it is set in fourth grade, but Kiddo thought it hilarious and she loved learning 'big' words. Mom loved that ehere was an included glossary!

About the Author:

Zack Zage grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. He has an undergraduate degree in Economics from Duke and an MBA from UNC - Chapel Hill. He was a corporate banker, custom homebuilder, horse trainer & judge (hunter/jumper/equitation), and the inventor of: PLAY IT SMART - Chicago Tribune's 10th Anniversary Top 10 Game of the Year 1993 and NICKEL & DIME POOL - Family Fun Magazine's 1994 Best Game of the Year.

About the Illustrator: Adam Watkins graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design in 2004, where he majored in Illustration. Included in his many awards are the 2004 Best in Show CCAD Art of Illustration Show and a 2006 Gold Addy Award.



Disclosure / Disclaimer: I was sent this book, free of charge,from Ivy Court Press, via XMR3 PR, for review on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to review it.