Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody by Patrick Ness tells the quirky and adventurous story of Zeke, a young lizard navigating a chaotic week at school. The novel begins with Zeke being assigned the role of hall monitor, which leads him to an array of peculiar situations, including an encounter with the villainous Pellicarnassus, a revenge-seeking pelican. Pellicarnassus, along with his two bird companions known as the "norms," rule the school thanks to his mother’s secret-agent status. The rivalry between Zeke and the pelican unfolds throughout the story, with the tension rooted in an incident that took place early on.

While the plot can be challenging to follow due to its staccato pacing and some far-fetched scenarios (such as France being passed down through generations on Zeke’s knee), the novel effectively introduces important themes. In particular, it sensitively portrays bipolar disorder through the metaphor of a "black dog" that follows Zeke's mother, helping readers understand her struggle. Zeke's loyal friends, along with fascinating animal facts woven into the narrative, add depth to the story.

Overall, Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody is a fun, whimsical book that’s great for children ages 7 and up, especially those who enjoy humor and learning about animals.

Content advisory: Talks about bipolar disorder, and there is a touch of violence in the book.