Zorgamazoo by Weston, Robert Paul(September 2, 2010) Paperback

by Robert Paul Weston

Paperback

About the author

Ahoy. You've run aground on my small, oblong island in the GoodReads archipelago. You're welcome to surf, swim in the lagoon or stroll along the pier, where they sell prawns, whelks and words by the cupful. If you'd like to keep things topical—as well as tropical—sling yourself in a beach hammock and crack open a good book. One of these perhaps...

My first novel, ZORGAMAZOO, won the 2011 California Young Reader Medal, the 2010 Silver Birch Award, and the 2009 Children’s Choice Award. If you've had too much sun and crave something darker, try my hardboiled fairy tale, DUST CITY. It was shortlisted for the 2011 Edgar Alan Poe Award and the 2011 Sunburst Award. Then there's my second novel-in-verse, PRINCE PUGGLY OF SPUD AND THE KINGDOM OF SPIFF and THE CREATURE DEPARTMENT, a collaboration with the British special effects firm, Framestore.

My latest is SAKURA'S CHERRY BLOSSOMS, my first picture book, illustrated by the Japanese-American artist, Misa Saburi, and perfect for springtime.

I live in England (also on an island), where I'm a full-time lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Lincoln.

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You can also find me on Twitter and Instagram.

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent read-aloud! The story in rhyme had grandchildren on the edge of their chair always asking me to keep reading. Adventure, villains, and heroes … a great combination! I enjoyed reading Zorgamazoo as much as they enjoyed listening.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entire book written in rhyme. Reminds one of Dahl, Seuss, and the adventures of Alice. I found an interesting abstract that stated "Zorgamazoo is a middle-grade fantasy adventure novel written in rhyming anapaestic tetrameter. It is the story of an adventurous girl named Katrina Katrell who teams up with a subterranean creature to uncover a conspiracy to kidnap all the Earth's mythical creatures. The format was partially inspired by research into dialogic reading and the relationship between fiction and empathy, particularly with respect to reluctant young readers. "

I totally agree, if was so fun to read, I think any reluctant readier would be drawn right in.

Weston, Robert Paul; Rivas, Victor (2008). Zorgamazoo. University of Lincoln. Book. https://hdl.handle.net/10779/lincoln....

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this! I listened to it which probably made it a bit better (Alan Cumming was sensational) but it would be just a fun read. I'm a sucker for rhyming and creating a whole book that way... wow.

[Angie Flater · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun! A chapter book version of Dr. Seuss or the Gruffalo! My 10 year old LOVED it!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story, told in rhyme - quick and it fulfilled a reading challenge.