Zorgamazoo
Grade 4–6—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, MICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.