Zorgamazoo

Weston, Robert P. (2008). //Zorgamazoo//. New York, NY: Razor Bill.

2009 E.B. White Read Aloud Honor 2010 Silver Birth Award Winner (Cananda) 2010 California Young Reader Medal Nominee
 * Awards:**


 * Summary:** Katrina Katrell is a girl on an adventure. She is trying to save underground creatures called Zorgles because they were all kidnapped. Katritina has to make her way to Zorgamazoo to save them! Written in verse, this is an exciting adventure for kids of all ages to enjoy.


 * Grade Level:** 4-6
 * Reading Level:** 5.1


 * Curriculum Connection:** Similar to //Love That Dog// and //Hate That Cat////, Zorgamazoo// is a great example of extending verse beyond a few short lines and creating an entire novel. The twist with this verse novel is that it is written entirely in rhyme. This would be an easy selection for a poetry unit focusing on rhyme and how it influences a story.

This novel, written entirely in Dr. Seuss-style rhyme, introduces Katrina Katrell, a feisty, adventure-loving heroine. When her guardian, Mrs. Krabone, a woman as evil as any of Roald Dahl's villains, threatens the free-thinking Katrina with a lobotomy, the girl runs away and meets Morty, a hairy, horned, and bumbling creature called a Zorgle. Morty, an unwilling hero, has been chosen by lottery to find out what happened to the vanished Zorgles of Zorgamazoo. Katrina and Morty join forces to solve the mystery and their journey leads them to the moon, where lots of fantastical creatures are held captive by Graylians from the planet Graybalon-Four. Humorous black-and-white illustrations and the use of different fonts add variety to the text. Weston maintains the rhythm and energy of sing-song rhyming couplets throughout the tale and holds his audience's interest with suspense and dashes of humor. Give this one to readers who enjoy a little nonsense.—Laurie Slagenwhite, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI
 * School Library Journal Review 2009: (from Mackin)**