Zorgamazoo

by Robert Paul Weston Narrated by Alan Cumming

Overview

Are You a Believer in Fanciful Things? In Pirates and Dragons and Creatures and Kings?

Then sit yourself down in a comfortable seat, with maybe some cocoa and something to eat, and I'll spin you the tale of Katrina Katrell, a girl full of courage (and daring, as well!), who down in the subway, under the ground, saw something fantastical roaming around . . .

What was it she saw? I'd rather not say. (Who's ever heard of a Zorgle, anyway?)

But if you are curious, clever and brave, if intrepid adventure is something you crave, then open this book and I'll leave it to you to uncover the secret of ZORGAMAZOO!

Join Morty the Zorgle and Katrina on a fantastically illustrated, you'll-wanna-read-every-word-aloud, sophisticated rhyming adventure for kids of all ages!

Editorial Reviews

Booklist

. . . a natural descendant of the works of Dr. Seuss and Roald Dahl while hewing close to the droll atmospherics of Edward Gorey and Lemony Snicket.

The Horn Book Magazine

A well-constructed story with fully realized characters and plenty of humor. The rhyme is almost flawless . . . Fancifully frightening illustrations and typographical trickery create an inviting visual package.

Quill & Quire

Zorgamazoo is a story rich in clever wordplay, unusual characters, and fantastic circumstances...The book's illustrations are reminiscent of the oval-eyed, twiggish vulnerability of Tim Burton's creations, and the details of the story traverse some of the same dark territory.

Canadian Review of Materials

Readers can make text-to-text connections to other quest stories such as Alice in Wonderland and even Homer's Iliad...What a wonderful way to re-awaken the enchantment of the imagination for readers - young and old!

School Library Journal

Gr 4–6—Katrina Katrell has sassed her guardian, Mrs. Krabone, one too many times. "Krabby," as Katrina calls her, decides that a lobotomy is the best way to quiet her charge. Katrina, as wily as she is smart-mouthed, narrowly escapes. As she's fleeing, she meets Morty, a curious creature called a Zorgle. He's on a quest to find the missing Zorgles of Zorgamazoo, and since Katrina is homeless, she joins him. Their travels take them to the moon, where they discover that the Graylians of Graybalon-Four have kidnapped the Zorgles. Katrina and Morty come up with a solution that releases the Zorgles and satisfies the Graylians, too. Katrina's new set of unconventional friends frighten Mrs. Krabone into leaving her alone for good. Told in couplets, this story was meant to be read out loud, and Alan Cumming is up to the task. His Scottish brogue is a joy to listen to, and he performs fitting voices for each of the characters. He also does a fantastic job of illustrating the visual elements of the text with his voice. For example, in the written work there may be a single word on a page or a word written in very large type. Cumming uses appropriate pauses and changes in volume to reflect these details. The overall effect is an audiobook that is at once lulling and rhythmic as well as terribly exciting. Listeners will relish every minute they spend in Zorgamazoo.—Amy Holland, Irondequoit Public Library, Rochester, NY

Kirkus Reviews

Preteen Katrina Katrell has always seen things others don't. Her bored and boring guardian Mrs. Krabone is so fed up she calls lobotomy specialist Dr. LeFang to take care of the problem. Katrina escapes but gets into further trouble, and reluctant adventurer Mortimer Yorgle, a Zorgle who lives in a parallel world beneath the ground with other fantasy beasts, comes to her rescue. The two set off to find the missing Zorgles of Zorgamazoo. What they discover is a nefarious plot from outer space to make Earth more boring by kidnapping fantastical beasts (which, by the way, are real) and upping the production of Tedium Steam. The planet behind the plot, Graybalon-Four, runs on the stuff. Much saving of the day ensues. Weston's debut fantasy in rhymed verse is at once silly and gross. If Seuss and Dahl collaborated early in their careers, something similar might have resulted. Though the language is often a slave to the rhyme, and that rhyme is sometimes a stretch, Snicket fans and reluctant readers not afraid of a peek at verse will likely feel right at home. (Fantasy. 9-11)

School Library Journal - School Library Journal Audio

Gr 4–6—Katrina Katrell has a feisty demeanor and vivid imagination. She is under the care of boring and mean Mrs. Krabone who wants to stifle her whimsical thoughts by cutting out the "naughtiest bits of her brain." Upon overhearing her guardian talk with the lobotomy doctor about the "cranial puncturing mincer of mind" tool, she hightails it out her bedroom window where she meets her rescuer, Morty. He's a non-adventurous, hairy creature called a Zorgle who has been chosen by lottery to search for the missing Zorgles of Zorgamazoo. Together Katrina and Morty find Zorgamazoo, only to be captured and transported to the moon where all the interesting and fantastical creatures are being taken. Graylians from the planet Graybalon-4 are behind the heist to acquire more Tedium Steam. Robert Paul Weston's well-crafted rhyming verse is funny and gross, reminiscent of Roald Dahl and Dr. Seuss. Alan Cummings expertly executes the intended rhythmic meter and brings a myriad of characters to life with his complex and raspy voice. His Scottish accent will draw listeners into this fantasy land.—Caitlyn Walsh, Fayetteville Public Library, Fayetteville, AR

DECEMBER 2010 - AudioFile

When Katrina Katrell's vivid imagination and keen intelligence become too much for her caretaker, she runs away to find a more exciting life. Meanwhile, mild-mannered Mortimer Yorgle wins the lottery and a chance to find some of his countrymen who have gone missing. After the pair meet by chance, they team up, combine their talents, and go on a wild adventure to find the missing Zorgles of Zorgamazoo. Alan Cumming has the difficult task of narrating this middle-grade novel written in rhymed couplets. Luckily, he finds a magical zone that mixes the right sense of drama and emotion with the perfect rhythm. This delightful reading will appeal to the whole family. C.B.L. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2011 Audies Winner © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169119572
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	09/02/2010
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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