Zorgamazoo by Robert Paul Weston, illustrated by Victor Rivas

Zorgamazoo

by Robert Paul Weston, illustrated by Victor Rivas
Razorbill, 2008

GENRE: Fantasy, Adventure, Poetry, Science Fiction, Horror

HONORS: Children's Choice Book Award 2009, Booklist Top Ten Debut 2008, Silver Birch Prize: Winner 2010, E. B. White Honour 2009, Children's Literature Assembly Notable Book 2009, California Young Reader Medal: Nominee 2011, Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Award: Nominee 2011

REVIEW: Katrina Katrell can’t wait till she’s grown, to finally be free of vile Mrs. Kabrone. A guardian cruel, who’d never sweet talk and oft threatened to take her to the lobotomy doc. So far away Katrina does flee, it’s in her best interest, I’m sure you’d agree. “Morty” is the nickname for Mortimer Yorgle, a rumpled but pleasant and welcoming Zorgle. To his chagrin, Morty was placed in a raffle of sorts, the prize is adventure, not relaxing resorts. So Morty embarks on his questing debut, to find the missing Zorgles of Zorgamazoo. Katrina and Morty began unattached, but soon their paths cross and a plan is hatched. Katrina and Morty, together they knew, they must find the Zorgles of Zorgamazoo!

OPINION: Nearly every kid has a soft spot for Dr. Seuss, and if he wrote a novel I’m pretty sure it would turn out a lot like Zorgamazoo. The poetic style of rhyming couplets are infectious and will have you thinking in rhyme for hours after you set the book down. Aside from the unique writing style, it also pairs Neil Gaiman-esque black and white illustration with a great story – which seems like it might be difficult to do completely in rhyme.

IDEAS: Zorgamazoo could inspire another type of poetry lesson/program. Tween/Teens could be asked to write a short story completely in rhyme, in the style of Zorgamazoo.

Technically, it’s Not My Fault: Concrete Poems by John Grandits

Technically, It's Not My Fault: Concrete Poems
by John Grandits
Houghton Mifflin, 2004

GENRE: Poetry

HONORS: ALA Notable Book for Children, ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Book Links Lasting Connection, Book Sense Top Ten Poetry List, CCBC Choice, NCTE Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts, VOYA Poetry Pick, Young Hoosier (IN) Book Award Nominee

REVIEW: 11-year-old Robert uses his unique poetic style to both illustrate and explain the ups and downs of middle school. The poems are not only words, but are often written in a way that takes an actual shape that add significantly to Robert’s poems. With titles like “My Sister is Crazy,” “The Autobiography of Murray the Fart,” and “It’s Not Fair,” Robert’s poems are sure to intrigue and entertain.

OPINION: Poetry is a tough genre to get to appeal to tweens and teens, but books like this make poetry fun and interesting. This book can show them that poetry doesn’t have to be dull, or emotional, or whatever claims are being made, but that it can be fun and interesting.

IDEAS: I would definitely like to do a lesson and/or program on poetry and use this book as an example of one of the many ways poetry can be crafted as both a visual and literary art. It would also work really well in a poetry display for tweens.