Prince Puggly of Spud and the Kingdom of Spiff - Softcover

Weston, Robert Paul

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1595145745 ISBN 13: 9781595145741

Publisher: Razorbill, 2014

Synopsis

The next middle-grade rhyming novel from the award-winning author of Zorgamazoo!

Prince Puggly of the muddy, terminally unfashionable Kingdom of Spud is surprised when he receives an invitation to a lavish ball in the far more chic Kingdom of Spiff. Puggly is sure that the Spiffs will take one look at him and laugh him out of their kingdom. And that’s exactly what they do. . . . But then Puggly meets Francesca, the bookish Princess of Spiff, and together the two set out to teach Francesca’s Spiffian countrymen an absurd lesson in style. Award-winning author Robert Paul Weston once again delivers a humorous fantasy in rhyming verse that just begs to be read aloud. And this time, it comes with a message that’s sure to impress: There’s more to a person than how they are dressed.

About this title

About the Author:

Robert Paul Weston wandered the earth for many years doing all sorts of odd jobs. In 2008, he published his first novel-in-verse, Zorgamazoo, recipient of the California Young Reader's Medal, the Silver Birch Award, the Children's Choice Award, and an E.B. White Read Aloud Honor. His second novel was the hard-boiled fairy tale Dust City, which was nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Young Adult Mystery. He is also the author of the upcoming format-bender The Creature Department. When he isn't writing, Robert still wanders the earth. For more about his latest adventures go to www.robertpaulweston.com.

From Booklist:

A kingdom enslaved to fashion is set free by the unstylish Prince of Spud and his soon-to-be consort, the bookish Princess of Spiff. In his third fantasy for young readers, Weston returns to the format of his fanciful Zorgamazoo (2008), with rhyming couplets, extensive font manipulation, and humorous, chapter-opening line drawings. In this silly saga of embarrassment and retaliation at the Spiffian Centenary Ball, Prince Puggly and Princess Fran discover each other and find a way to mock the stylish partygoers before returning to Spud, where they can dress as they please. Accurately labeling this as a “meandering tale,” the author reveals all in the end. Much of the humor comes from exaggerations of dress: Fran’s pajamas “printed with boats,” Puggly’s “polka-dot breeches that sag in the butt,” and a ’60s-style shaman whose turban sports a daisy. Occasional rhythmic hiccups, repetitions, and strained humor demonstrate just how difficult it is to write nonsense verse. Still, these couplets beg to be read aloud, as the playful language and satisfying story have extensive middle-grade appeal. Grades 3-6, --Kathleen Isaacs

About this edition

• Publisher: Razorbill
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1595145745
• ISBN 13: 9781595145741
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224