It seems I find it physically impossible to go into a library and not check out books. Not a real shocker there I suppose.
My latest trip resulted in my picking up Zorgamazoo by Robert Paul Weston. What grabbed my attention is the fact that it is written entirely in verse! Booklist offers this description: “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.” I read it while riding the bus home and got a kick out of it.
Allow me to steal the plot summary from 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.
Zorgamazoo isn’t the most original story in the world (parents out of the picture, nasty caretaker, triumph over adversity, secret world adults can’t see, etc.) but you have to give Weston props for writing it in verse. Plus, it is has a great sense of humor, balances the darker side with the silly, is nicely illustrated, and even has some unique use of fonts to add to the story’s playful style.
So if you know of young, or old for that matter, readers who like silly and aren’t intimidated by verse this would be a good recommendation.
