Zorgoochi Intergalactic Pizza: Delivery of Doom

Gr 4–7—Zorgoochi Intergalactic Pizza has been a leading force in pasta innovation for more than 1000 years, from volcano-powered ovens to zero-gravity delivery boxes. Luno, 12, longs to continue the family tradition, but so far his inventions have been notably unsuccessful. Moreover, all of the family-run pizzerias of the galaxy are in trouble. The members of the independent Pizza Pyramid association strive to deliver fresh, hot food to hungry beings on far-flung worlds, but they are being overwhelmed by a giant chain operation. Quantum Pizza is undercutting their prices with cheap gimmicks and synthetic ingredients. Worse, the evil conglomerate is intercepting their ships and stealing their orders. When Luno sets out on his first interplanetary delivery run, he knows that the Zorgoochi family livelihood depends on a successful voyage. Unfortunately, the route includes stops on sizzling fire planets, frozen ice worlds, and a place where the carnivorous customers would rather eat him than the pizza—all the while dodging Quantum Pizza's laser-laden delivery rockets. Then Luno discovers that Quantum's megalomaniac CEO has bigger plans than just taking over the pizza trade. Vlactron is looking for the legendary Golden Anchovy that has the power to control the galaxy—and he believes that Luno can lead him to it. This wacky space adventure is stuffed with pizza puns and science-fiction allusions. Yaccarino's cartoons of weird space creatures, from robo-onions to the Yoda-esque Mozzarella Monks, are especially amusing. Similar in style to Jon Scieszka's "Time-Warp Trio" series (Puffin), but for a slightly older audience, this is a good choice for science-fiction fans with a taste for off-the-wall humor.—Elaine E. Knight, formerly at Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL