Piranhas Like S'Mores

Hailed by Foreword Reviews for its authentic preteen voice and relatable social and family issues, Piranhas Like S'mores will resonate with boys and girls going through adolescence. A unique story, set against the backdrop of a particularly posh Manhattan apartment, three New York kids make an ambitious science fair project happen, and acquire deadly piranhas in the process. Throughout this comic tale, serious turns introduce a myriad of conflicts and resolutions, leading to a memorable ending with a classic life lesson.

About the Author :
JZ Bingham is a former financial writer and author of numerous juvenile fiction works. She's also an editor and acquisitions manager for adult fiction and non-fiction titles, a graduate of Fordham University, and resides in Pasadena, CA.

Review :
""I wish I had a book like this to read growing up. A great adventure..."" Mat Roy, "The Boss, " as seen on Nat Geo WILD's popular TV show, "Fish Tank Kings" ""Love piranhas? Not as hard as it sounds with this 'tween adventure that takes a tasty bite out of real emotions to learn from and live by. A great ride."" John Wilder, Award-Winning Screenwriter, Producer & Director (Centennial, Spenser For Hire & more) ""Funny, fast-paced and full of surprises. Kids are going to love Piranhas because it's real and speaks to them."" Joe Gazzam, Veteran Screenwriter (21 Jump Street, It Takes A Thief & more); Author (Uncaged) SIXTH PLACE OUT OF 1,300 ENTRIES FOR 2015 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AWARDS "This book is really good, with a lot to offer to pre-teens as they try to navigate the murky waters of those 'tween' years. This book includes so much of what coming of age is really about: kids trying to find their way through simple things like homework and meals they don't like, to complicated things like making their own money, dealing with loss, changing friendships, and facing their fears. The characters really do seem like normal kids and will be easy for pre-teens to identify with as they read. Due to some profanity in the writing and the fact that this book is exactly what it says--a coming of age tale--it is definitely more appropriate for the older kids in the 8-12 age range if not even maybe for kids as old as 13 or 14, not the younger ones." Judge's Comment 5-STARS from Foreword Reviews: Piranhas Like S'mores will strike a chord with all readers as it portrays life events that are as funny as they are sad. Inside Piranhas Like S'mores by JZ Bingham, young readers find a fun caper that navigates the tricky landscape of adolescence as characters explore lessons in honesty, compassion, and grief. Eleven-year-old Klyde is involved in a little shady entrepreneurship, doing classmates' homework in exchange for cash. His partner in crime is his cousin Bonney, who soon schemes with him on the ultimate science fair project. Using the resources of a rich friend, Seldon, the preteens acquire an elaborate fish tank and create a documentary on the feeding habits of piranhas. Bingham illustrates productive problem-solving as the three characters execute their ambitious science project idea. They even get permission to import the Amazonian fish that are banned in their home state. "I know we were just a bunch of kids and all," Bingham writes as Klyde, "but with the help of all the adults around us, encouraging us and stuff, we were doing something pretty cool. We were on a mission, and we were getting it done." On a deeper level, the author sprinkles in more serious obstacles to show young readers how to handle tough emotions... Bingham should be commended for managing to address life's harsh realities within a comic tale sometimes so ridiculous that piranhas dine on s'mores. But what really stands out is the author's knack for conveying an authentic preteen voice. Klyde's mix of awareness and innocence is a dead-on portrait of the confusing jumble of emotions in those formative years. His voice and the cultural references he uses make him a believable protagonist. Whether Bingham's characters are trying to get piranhas into a fish tank or visiting their comatose friend in the hospital, they call on personal strength, kindness, and the support of others to find their way. As Bingham writes, "Some things go bad without you ever seeing them coming. And some things go bad because you made them happen. Either way, you can try to make things right again." Piranhas Like S'mores will strike a chord with all readers as it portrays life events that are as funny as they are sad. In the book's final line, Klyde concludes: "Bittersweet: It's what life tastes like. [And if you can handle the bitter, the sweet will come later]." SIXTH PLACE OUT OF 1,300 ENTRIES FOR 2015 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AWARDS ""This book is really good, with a lot to offer to pre-teens as they try to navigate the murky waters of those 'tween' years. This book includes so much of what coming of age is really about: kids trying to find their way through simple things like homework and meals they don't like, to complicated things like making their own money, dealing with loss, changing friendships, and facing their fears. The characters really do seem like normal kids and will be easy for pre-teens to identify with as they read. Due to some profanity in the writing and the fact that this book is exactly what it says--a coming of age tale--it is definitely more appropriate for the older kids in the 8-12 age range if not even maybe for kids as old as 13 or 14, not the younger ones."" Judge's Comment 5-STARS from Foreword Reviews: "Piranhas Like S mores will strike a chord with all readers as it portrays life events that are as funny as they are sad. Inside Piranhas Like S mores by JZ Bingham, young readers find a fun caper that navigates the tricky landscape of adolescence as characters explore lessons in honesty, compassion, and grief. Eleven-year-old Klyde is involved in a little shady entrepreneurship, doing classmates homework in exchange for cash. His partner in crime is his cousin Bonney, who soon schemes with him on the ultimate science fair project. Using the resources of a rich friend, Seldon, the preteens acquire an elaborate fish tank and create a documentary on the feeding habits of piranhas. Bingham illustrates productive problem-solving as the three characters execute their ambitious science project idea. They even get permission to import the Amazonian fish that are banned in their home state. I know we were just a bunch of kids and all, Bingham writes as Klyde, but with the help of all the adults around us, encouraging us and stuff, we were doing something pretty cool. We were on a mission, and we were getting it done. On a deeper level, the author sprinkles in more serious obstacles to show young readers how to handle tough emotions... Bingham should be commended for managing to address life s harsh realities within a comic tale sometimes so ridiculous that piranhas dine on s mores. But what really stands out is the author s knack for conveying an authentic preteen voice. Klyde s mix of awareness and innocence is a dead-on portrait of the confusing jumble of emotions in those formative years. His voice and the cultural references he uses make him a believable protagonist. Whether Bingham s characters are trying to get piranhas into a fish tank or visiting their comatose friend in the hospital, they call on personal strength, kindness, and the support of others to find their way. As Bingham writes, Some things go bad without you ever seeing them coming. And some things go bad because you made them happen. Either way, you can try to make things right again. Piranhas Like S mores will strike a chord with all readers as it portrays life events that are as funny as they are sad. In the book s final line, Klyde concludes: Bittersweet: It s what life tastes like. [And if you can handle the bitter, the sweet will come later]. " " 5-STARS from Foreword Reviews: "Piranhas Like S mores will strike a chord with all readers as it portrays life events that are as funny as they are sad. Inside Piranhas Like S mores by JZ Bingham, young readers find a fun caper that navigates the tricky landscape of adolescence as characters explore lessons in honesty, compassion, and grief. Eleven-year-old Klyde is involved in a little shady entrepreneurship, doing classmates homework in exchange for cash. His partner in crime is his cousin Bonney, who soon schemes with him on the ultimate science fair project. Using the resources of a rich friend, Seldon, the preteens acquire an elaborate fish tank and create a documentary on the feeding habits of piranhas. Bingham illustrates productive problem-solving as the three characters execute their ambitious science project idea. They even get permission to import the Amazonian fish that are banned in their home state. I know we were just a bunch of kids and all, Bingham writes as Klyde, but with the help of all the adults around us, encouraging us and stuff, we were doing something pretty cool. We were on a mission, and we were getting it done. On a deeper level, the author sprinkles in more serious obstacles to show young readers how to handle tough emotions... Bingham should be commended for managing to address life s harsh realities within a comic tale sometimes so ridiculous that piranhas dine on s mores. But what really stands out is the author s knack for conveying an authentic preteen voice. Klyde s mix of awareness and innocence is a dead-on portrait of the confusing jumble of emotions in those formative years. His voice and the cultural references he uses make him a believable protagonist. Whether Bingham s characters are trying to get piranhas into a fish tank or visiting their comatose friend in the hospital, they call on personal strength, kindness, and the support of others to find their way. As Bingham writes, Some things go bad without you ever seeing them coming. And some things go bad because you made them happen. Either way, you can try to make things right again. Piranhas Like S mores will strike a chord with all readers as it portrays life events that are as funny as they are sad. In the book s final line, Klyde concludes: Bittersweet: It s what life tastes like. [And if you can handle the bitter, the sweet will come later]. " "