Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar

 

                                                         This is the Korean paperback version

This Louis Sachar book is not like his other books.  It is an ecological thriller about a human created substance called "Biolene"which is a new fuel source.  Some students encounter it in some mud in a wooded area.  They begin to get a rash and their skin begins to rapidly be eaten alive.  One of the students never comes back from the woods and no one seems to be concerned.  Tamaya, a fifth grader, who has a severe case of this rash from the fuzzy mud goes back to the area to look for the missing Chad.  The spread of this mud could be devastating.

Throughout the book, there are sections with the proceedings from Senate hearings about problems with the Biolene substance. It gives insight to problems with human created solutions.

I listened to this book and found the recording to be excellent.  A full cast was used for the recording.

I think this book would be easy to read for upper elementary students.  It is about a middle school and the main character is in 5th grade.  I think it could be a could choice for Crossover in Maud Hart Lovelace.  Even though the main character is a girl, there is plenty of appeal for boys as well. I rate this book 4 out of 4.  The reading level is 5.0.  It is not out in paperback yet.

• Age Range: 10 and up 
• Grade Level: 5 and up
• Lexile Measure: 0700
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (August 4, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385743785
• ISBN-13: 978-0385743785