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176th out of 816 books
—
2,046 voters
Zorgamazoo
by
Robert Paul Weston (Goodreads Author),
Victor Rivas
Zorgamazoo is the story of a young girl; a shadowy, subterranean creature; a bizarre lottery; a secret map; an imminent alien invasion; and a sport that brings together the finer points of cricket, swimming and chess. It also has lobotomies. Basically, it’s about saving the universe from boredom. And it rhymes—all 280 pages worth.
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
October 16th 2008
by Razorbill
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377th out of 1,134 books
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4,660 voters
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This is one of the more unique books I've read in the last year. Zorgamazoo is done completely in verse, Dr.Seuss/Roald Dahl-sort-of-verse. All of it. All 281 pages of it. Terrific verse, mind you. Versifier Robert Paul Weston manages to beautifully sustain a voice, a tone, a style, and a beat throughout. Given that he is also telling a story --- building a setting, atmosphere, developing characters, and moving a plot along --- it is really quite impressive. The story is fantasy, macabre, silly...more
Jun 16, 2011
Eliza
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone who likes a bit of nonsense & doesn't take life too seriously
An amazing book overall! The best part? The entire book rhymes! From cover to cover it’s a rhyming frenzy!
This is a great book for anyone who likes a bit of nonsense. It was written for children and young teens but it is a great read for everyone! Either way, this book is a fabulous book for all ages.
It is 283 pages and 20 chapters chalked full of amazing! Personally, it only took me about 4 hours to read but it’s perfect for someone looking for a book to just sit back and relax. This book is...more
This is a great book for anyone who likes a bit of nonsense. It was written for children and young teens but it is a great read for everyone! Either way, this book is a fabulous book for all ages.
It is 283 pages and 20 chapters chalked full of amazing! Personally, it only took me about 4 hours to read but it’s perfect for someone looking for a book to just sit back and relax. This book is...more
Fantasy verse novel--Reminds me of Dr. Seuss and actually is the best verse novel I have ever read. It is an adventure story about a girl named Katrina and a zorgle named Mortimer who are looking for zorgamazoo. I love how the font, type face changed plus the illustrations are fabulous. Awesome book that I know kids would enjoy. Very easy read too.
2 likes · like · see review
Two hundred and eighty three pages of flawless rhyme whisk us through joy, sorrow, suspense, giggles, bliss, shock and triumph in this beautifully illustrated and designed adventure in friendship, self-discovery and the power of engagement.
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
Other books mentioned:
Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers
The Call to Shakabaz
Waiting at the Door to Unger
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
Other books mentioned:
Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers
The Call to Shakabaz
Waiting at the Door to Unger
Written entirely in rhyming verse, Zorgamazoo doesn’t just beg to be read aloud, it demands to be read aloud. Zorgamazoo follows the adventures of a young girl named Katrina Katrell, her evil guardian Mrs. Krabone (aka Old Krabby) and Mortimer Yorgle (aka Morty) – a “zorgle” who works for The Underwood Telegraph Rumor Review. Katrina runs away from her nefarious guardian when Mrs. Krabone threatens to lobotomize her. (Mrs. Krabone wants to prevent Katrina’s active imagination from getting the be...more
Very enjoyable book I picked up from the Juv dept at our library, because the cover caught my eye -- and the title starts with Z!!
Katrina Katrell, a child with a very active imagination, runs away from her guardian and a surgeon who are both convinced that Katrina needs a lobotomy in order to make her behave. When she escapes from Krabby and Dr. LeFang, she realizes that she has nowhere to go -- until she is befriended by Morty the Zorgle, who has reluctantly taken on a mission: to find out what...more
Katrina Katrell, a child with a very active imagination, runs away from her guardian and a surgeon who are both convinced that Katrina needs a lobotomy in order to make her behave. When she escapes from Krabby and Dr. LeFang, she realizes that she has nowhere to go -- until she is befriended by Morty the Zorgle, who has reluctantly taken on a mission: to find out what...more
1 like · like · see review
April is National Poetry Month. Yeah, it seems like we forgot because we haven’t even acknowleged it or anything, but I promise, we are aware. Though we have some poetry-related stuff headed your way next week, I wanted to repost an oldie-but-goodie from Madeleine about one of her favorite novels in verse.
Until then:
Roses are Red,
Violets are Blue,
We love all of our readers,
Especially YOU!
~Grace
“Here is a story that’s stranger than strange…”
Zorgamazoo tells the rhyming, rhythmical tale of Katrina...more
Until then:
Roses are Red,
Violets are Blue,
We love all of our readers,
Especially YOU!
~Grace
“Here is a story that’s stranger than strange…”
Zorgamazoo tells the rhyming, rhythmical tale of Katrina...more
What do you get if you combine Dr. Zeus with Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket? You get Zorgamazoo! It is a tale told entirely in verse with fantastical creatures and adventure. Aimed at grades 4-6, it is a rollicking good tale about Katrina Katrell, a young girl who lives with a distant relative. Katrina is more interested in adventure and escapes her boring life. What she finds is more than she expects, but the friends she finds are worth the problems.
Told entirely in rhyme, this is an inventive...more
Told entirely in rhyme, this is an inventive...more
Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!
Katrina Katrell lives with a distant relative, Mrs. Krabone, who doesn't understand why the young girl is constantly daydreaming about adventures and mythical creatures. One day when Katrina and Mrs. Krabone are on the subway, Katrina is sure she sees a large, hairy creature wearing a tie and walking around the underground tunnels. Mrs. Krabone is finally fed up, and contacts Doctor LeFang to "cur...more
Katrina Katrell lives with a distant relative, Mrs. Krabone, who doesn't understand why the young girl is constantly daydreaming about adventures and mythical creatures. One day when Katrina and Mrs. Krabone are on the subway, Katrina is sure she sees a large, hairy creature wearing a tie and walking around the underground tunnels. Mrs. Krabone is finally fed up, and contacts Doctor LeFang to "cur...more
Zorgamazoo is written entirely. in. rhyme. Which makes it impossible not to read aloud. Seriously, you'll read the first two lines and be compelled to say them out loud. The meter is solid the whole way through, too, and the vocabulary is unusually lush and expressive.
Characters and plot don't suffer because of the rhyme, either. katrina is a brave heroine who has her tantrum-y moments. Morty never wanted to be a hero, but he learns in his own timid yet appealing way that being a hero comes in m...more
Characters and plot don't suffer because of the rhyme, either. katrina is a brave heroine who has her tantrum-y moments. Morty never wanted to be a hero, but he learns in his own timid yet appealing way that being a hero comes in m...more
I would actually give two stars for the characters and plot. They were just okay. I have to give three stars overall though because it was amazing that the author was able to write the entire book in verse. He described all the characters and kept the plot going along all in rhyme. Almost 300 pages worth. That has got to be a challange! The book took popular elements of pop children's lit culture and put it all together in rhyme. The main character, Katrina, reminded me of some of the Lemony Sni...more
Amazing!
This book is hands-down the GREATEST read-out-loud book on the planet!
I knew, as soon as I read the first sentence, I was in for a treat. I mean really, can you go wrong with a book that begins:
“Here is story that is stranger than strange. Before we begin you may want to arrange:
A blanket,
A cushion ,
A comfortable seat,
And maybe some cocoa and something to it.”
Robert Paul Weston creates a story (no ... a world!) entirely in rhyme. But, this is not one of those books that makes awkward rhy...more
This book is hands-down the GREATEST read-out-loud book on the planet!
I knew, as soon as I read the first sentence, I was in for a treat. I mean really, can you go wrong with a book that begins:
“Here is story that is stranger than strange. Before we begin you may want to arrange:
A blanket,
A cushion ,
A comfortable seat,
And maybe some cocoa and something to it.”
Robert Paul Weston creates a story (no ... a world!) entirely in rhyme. But, this is not one of those books that makes awkward rhy...more
Jul 24, 2009
Shel
added it
Weston, R.P. (2008). Zorgamazoo. New York: Razorbill.
9781595141996
Adventurous and imaginative, Katrina Katrell sees a creature in the subway system. This flight of fancy proves to be the final take-off for Katrina’s guardian who promptly arranges for her charge to be lobotomized. Overhearing said plan, Katrina escapes and is reunited with the creature she saw in the subway, a Zorgle named Morty, who has been chosen to find the missing Zorgles of Zorgamazoo. Together they embark on a quest. Oh, a...more
9781595141996
Adventurous and imaginative, Katrina Katrell sees a creature in the subway system. This flight of fancy proves to be the final take-off for Katrina’s guardian who promptly arranges for her charge to be lobotomized. Overhearing said plan, Katrina escapes and is reunited with the creature she saw in the subway, a Zorgle named Morty, who has been chosen to find the missing Zorgles of Zorgamazoo. Together they embark on a quest. Oh, a...more
Jun 02, 2011
Claudia
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2011-book-challenge-150-books,
ya-books
The very thing I loved about this book is the same thing I hated. The verse is clever, rhythmic, and compelling. I loved the effort it took to accomplish this, and it really got in the way of the story for me. I found myself reading much more slowly, reading 'aloud' in my head, as one must with poetry and verse. So, I feel very conflicted about its form.
The story is Edward Gorey and Lemony Snicket, just as the review said...creepy, 'upside down' worlds where a little girl is threatened with a lo...more
The story is Edward Gorey and Lemony Snicket, just as the review said...creepy, 'upside down' worlds where a little girl is threatened with a lo...more
Katrina Katrell is a bored imaginative child who would love to explore. She gets a glimpse into her future when she spots a creature, Morty while waiting to ride the subway. While escaping her guardian Mrs. Kabone a dreadful woman who has summoned a brain doctor to "treat" Katrina,she meets up with the creature, Morty a zorgle. Morty and Katrina, determined heroine team up to find out why the zorgles have all left Zorgamazoo. Along the way they meet Winnie, another creature whose family has disa...more
Encore, Encore. This tale told in rhyming couplets just screams to be read aloud. And thanks to amazing narration by Alan Cumming, I could do just that because the brilliant Cumming had a fun, imaginative, hilarious story to work with.
Here is a story that’s stranger than strange.
Before we begin you may want to arrange:
a blanket,
a cushion,
a comfortable seat,
and maybe some cocoa and something to eat.
I’ll warn you, of course, before we commence,
my story is eerie and full of suspense,
brimming with...more
Here is a story that’s stranger than strange.
Before we begin you may want to arrange:
a blanket,
a cushion,
a comfortable seat,
and maybe some cocoa and something to eat.
I’ll warn you, of course, before we commence,
my story is eerie and full of suspense,
brimming with...more
Title: Zorgamazoo
Author: Robert Paul Weston
Year: 2008
ISBN: 9781595142955
Type: book
Genre: Fantasy
Length/Pages & Reading Level:
Publisher/Studio name: Penguin group
Plot Summary: This story centers on a young girl, Katrina Katrell. She is living with a distant relative Mrs. Krabone. Mrs Krabone gets fed up with Katrina’s daydreaming and plans to have her cured through a horrible cranial puncturing procedure. Katrina escapes and happens upon Morty, a Zorgle. She joins the timid Zorgle in his que...more
Author: Robert Paul Weston
Year: 2008
ISBN: 9781595142955
Type: book
Genre: Fantasy
Length/Pages & Reading Level:
Publisher/Studio name: Penguin group
Plot Summary: This story centers on a young girl, Katrina Katrell. She is living with a distant relative Mrs. Krabone. Mrs Krabone gets fed up with Katrina’s daydreaming and plans to have her cured through a horrible cranial puncturing procedure. Katrina escapes and happens upon Morty, a Zorgle. She joins the timid Zorgle in his que...more
My feverish daughter is taking her cure by listening to me read this Seussian rhyme aloud. Unlike Seuss, however, Weston does not limit himself to 115 words. Consequently, the seemingly easy format, the fantasy/adventure-filled plot, and clever typesetting are laced with lovely language, demanding that the reader sit up and pay attention.
Here's a quick sample from p. 116:
"She came through the trees before coming to stop
on the rim of a cliff, near a treacherous drop.
She stood there a moment, perc...more
Here's a quick sample from p. 116:
"She came through the trees before coming to stop
on the rim of a cliff, near a treacherous drop.
She stood there a moment, perc...more
When I read an excerpt of this book I knew that I had to read the whole book. The way the story flows in rhyme made me think back to my childhood, and reading Dr. Seuss books. I loved them then, and I love them now. They tickled my insides. This story did the same thing. Weston, in my opinion is a very talented writer. To write a novel in verse takes a lot of talent. This is something he definitely does not lack.
Katrina Katrell is stuck with her evil guardian, Mrs. Krabone. All she wants Katrina...more
Katrina Katrell is stuck with her evil guardian, Mrs. Krabone. All she wants Katrina...more
If you’re searching to find a cleverly book,
then Zorgamzoo deserves a really good look.
It has ogres and pixies and fantastical creatures,
With horns on their heads and other such features.
Katrina Katrell, an imaginative girl,
has fled from Mrs. Krabone in a really big whirl.
She meets up with Mortimer, a zorgel for sure,
His last name is Yorgel out on an adventure quite pure.
He is hunting lost Zorgels who were gone in the night,
With Winnie the beast who is a terrible sight.
The Zorgels have been capt...more
then Zorgamzoo deserves a really good look.
It has ogres and pixies and fantastical creatures,
With horns on their heads and other such features.
Katrina Katrell, an imaginative girl,
has fled from Mrs. Krabone in a really big whirl.
She meets up with Mortimer, a zorgel for sure,
His last name is Yorgel out on an adventure quite pure.
He is hunting lost Zorgels who were gone in the night,
With Winnie the beast who is a terrible sight.
The Zorgels have been capt...more
The zorgles of Zorgamazoo are missing and it is up to Katrina Katrell and Morty, a zorgle himself, to save them! The good guys in this book are imagination and wonder and the bad guys aren’t scary creatures but rather humans that have forgotten about the how to use their imaginations. Katrina Katrell and Morty travel to the planet Graybalon-Four, where more creatures than they could have ever imagined, were being held captive by the Graylians. Readers are left with a sense of awe and a true happ...more
Zorgamazoo
by Robert Paul Weston
What would you do if you were abandoned by your parents and your guardian hired a neurologist, a brain doctor, to remove the front part of your brain? Well, unless you are already missing part of your brain you run! And that's just what Katrina Katrell does at the start of this rhyming novel-in-verse. While rushing through the streets she meets a Zorgamazoo named Morty, and the two of them begin an adventure to discover all of the lost creatures from myths and fai...more
by Robert Paul Weston
What would you do if you were abandoned by your parents and your guardian hired a neurologist, a brain doctor, to remove the front part of your brain? Well, unless you are already missing part of your brain you run! And that's just what Katrina Katrell does at the start of this rhyming novel-in-verse. While rushing through the streets she meets a Zorgamazoo named Morty, and the two of them begin an adventure to discover all of the lost creatures from myths and fai...more
Zorgamazoo by Paul Robert Weston
Let’s take a look at Katrina Katrell,
An interesting girl you’ll get to know well.
She tells her guardian Mrs. Krabone,
That she sees monsters when she is alone.
Mrs. Krabone is not gentle nor kind,
Mostly you’ll think that she’s out of her mind.
Witch-like and nasty, she’s mean and abrupt.
It doesn’t take much for her to erupt.
Then comes the Zorgles, Katrina was right.
With Gruffalo looks they’ll give you a fright.
But Morty the Zorgle was far from scary,
Even if his featu...more
Let’s take a look at Katrina Katrell,
An interesting girl you’ll get to know well.
She tells her guardian Mrs. Krabone,
That she sees monsters when she is alone.
Mrs. Krabone is not gentle nor kind,
Mostly you’ll think that she’s out of her mind.
Witch-like and nasty, she’s mean and abrupt.
It doesn’t take much for her to erupt.
Then comes the Zorgles, Katrina was right.
With Gruffalo looks they’ll give you a fright.
But Morty the Zorgle was far from scary,
Even if his featu...more
A friend recommended this book to me. A novel-length geared towards a younger audience, told entirely in rhyme. I began reading it with my youngest son (at the start he was 13, now he's 14) many months ago. We worked through it in fits and starts -- not because the story wasn't any good, just because other things got in the way.
This story is a remarkable achievement. The creation of another world, memorable characters, and the whole thing told in rhyme. Whenever I read from the story to my son,...more
This story is a remarkable achievement. The creation of another world, memorable characters, and the whole thing told in rhyme. Whenever I read from the story to my son,...more
Morty is a zorgle. Katrina is a girl. Most people don’t realize that zorgles and other beasts actually exist, but when all of the zorgles from Zorgamazoo disappear, Morty is called upon to find them. He goes on this reluctant adventure and meets Katrina along the way. The two go on quite a journey and discover many different creatures, while also becoming great friends.
Zorgamazoo has to be one of the best children’s books I’ve read in a while. I read a good deal of it out loud to my friends (who...more
Zorgamazoo has to be one of the best children’s books I’ve read in a while. I read a good deal of it out loud to my friends (who...more
(I realize that I give almost all books either 4 or 5 stars... I am easy to please, I suppose - either that or I need to hone my critical eye. Amina and I will have to work on that.)
Zorgamazoo - Why I gave it four stars:
a) Because my dad read the first few lines and laughed one of his impressive barrel laughs and proclaimed, "This is my kind of stuff!"
b) The. whole. book. rhymes. And does so WELL. Very Dr. Seuss-ish.
c) I could picture myself reading this to a class full of enraptured children...more
Zorgamazoo - Why I gave it four stars:
a) Because my dad read the first few lines and laughed one of his impressive barrel laughs and proclaimed, "This is my kind of stuff!"
b) The. whole. book. rhymes. And does so WELL. Very Dr. Seuss-ish.
c) I could picture myself reading this to a class full of enraptured children...more
Jan 25, 2013
Amanda Northrup
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-alouds,
favorites
I loved this book! Zorgamazoo is a fantasy quest novel told entirely in rhyming verse. Some reviewers have remarked on the genius of Weston's craft, while finding the characters and plot underdeveloped. I disagree!
Yes - the craft was impeccable. Weston's verse has fantastic rhythm while using hilarious and impressive vocabulary. I can't wait to read this book aloud to my students to illustrate the way poetry can be shaped by meter. I also plan to emphasize the incredible vocabulary and figurati...more
Yes - the craft was impeccable. Weston's verse has fantastic rhythm while using hilarious and impressive vocabulary. I can't wait to read this book aloud to my students to illustrate the way poetry can be shaped by meter. I also plan to emphasize the incredible vocabulary and figurati...more
The zorgles of Zorgamazoo have disappeared. Katrina Katrell is a girl who is brave and adventurous. Morty is a zorgle who is not very adventurous. Together they go on a adventure to find and rescue the zorgles.
I picked up this book because I wanted to re read this book. I remembered that I loved this book and I want to know is I still like it just as much.
I finished the book because I wanted to know what will happen to Katrina and Morty.
I would recommend this book to younger children. For littl...more
I picked up this book because I wanted to re read this book. I remembered that I loved this book and I want to know is I still like it just as much.
I finished the book because I wanted to know what will happen to Katrina and Morty.
I would recommend this book to younger children. For littl...more
This is a whimsical adventure tale told entirely in rhyming couplets. The heroine is a girl named Katrina Katrell and when I initially suggested to my kids that we use this book for a read-aloud book, my 8-year-old son wasn't too enthused about it. But then I started reading it anyway. It was a little too suggestively creepy for my 6-year-old daughter but my son Luke urged me to keep reading. And every night thereafter he'd urge me to read a little bit more before saying good night. There are ab...more
Ode to Zorgamazoo
I really enjoyed this story in rhyme,
I only wish that it could have been mine.
The verse was just right,
With a few out of sight.
I'd say "read it now,"
Though you'd be wondering how.
So head to your local library, book store, or more,
For this is a book that is likely to score!
All right, enough with the cheesy rhyming (though it's all in honor of this book). The story is cute and the illustrations added a nice touch. Most of the rhymes went together well, though a few felt forced or...more
I really enjoyed this story in rhyme,
I only wish that it could have been mine.
The verse was just right,
With a few out of sight.
I'd say "read it now,"
Though you'd be wondering how.
So head to your local library, book store, or more,
For this is a book that is likely to score!
All right, enough with the cheesy rhyming (though it's all in honor of this book). The story is cute and the illustrations added a nice touch. Most of the rhymes went together well, though a few felt forced or...more
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Ahoy. This is my small, oddly-shaped island in the GoodReads archipelago. You're welcome to surf, swim in the lagoon, or stroll along the pier (where they sell prawns and whelks by the cupful). If you'd like to keep things topical—as well as tropical—head down to the beach and sling yourself in a hammock with a good book. One of these, perhaps...
My first novel, ZORGAMAZOO, won the 2011 California...more
More about Robert Paul Weston...
My first novel, ZORGAMAZOO, won the 2011 California...more
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Jul 30, 2010 12:03am
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