Zazoo is Vietnamese by birth but feels entirely French. She has lived with her adoptive Grand-Pierre in France in an old stone mill between the river and the canal since she was two, sharing poetry, adventures, and the predictable rhythms of the seasons. Then one misty October morning, a young man on a bicycle rides into Zazoo’s small village and asks a question from which many stories begin to unfold. A love story within a love story.
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"I adore this book, it was one of my favorite books about the time that Bloomability was one of my favorite books.I have read it so many times, i love all the different stories and past and present meshing and the poem at the end. A really beautiful story."
— Caroline (4 out of 5 stars)
" Gorgeously written--a unique and well-told story of 2 time periods in France--one of them being WWII's "awful time". "
— elissa, 2/12/2014" The writing is richly evocative, redolent of time and place. History, emotion, and true love wound around the truths of things. I realize this doesn't describe it much, but it is one of the best YA titles ever. "
— GraceAnne, 2/9/2014" Perhaps if the author had been less concerened about harping on his moral, than this would have been better. I liked the story fairly well, but the fact that he repeatedly told you to that "this is the moral of the story" (more or less) got really old really fast. "
— Nerd, 2/9/2014" The history and plot are a little contrived and predictable. Otherwise it had simply beautiful imagery and the quaintest characters. "
— Abigail, 1/28/2014" I kind of want to read this over and over. The narration has this impossibly romantic sensibility while refusing to take itself too seriously. It's just so FRENCH! "
— Rebecca, 1/18/2014" For a YF book, "Zazoo" was amazingly philosophical, compassionate, charming, tender, bitter-sweet --- beautifully written. A very nice coming of age book. "
— Lewestover, 1/16/2014" I would not recommend this book. It dragged, it was boring and it would make you so sleepy. "
— Arielle, 1/14/2014" Amazing book, very descriptive one of my favorite books since I first read it in 7th or 8th grade. It's good for a short read. "
— Diana, 1/5/2014" A wonderfully written poetic historical fiction book. There is quite a bit of romance involved as well! :) Chronicles an old man and his bitter memories of WWII and fighting in Asia. "
— Allison, 1/1/2014" This was such a sweet book. I remember reading it over and over again. I can still remember the description of her grandfather perfectly peeling a fruit. "
— Kristina, 12/30/2013" I thought this was one of the most gorgeous YAs of its year. "
— Monica, 12/15/2013" One of my favorite books growing up "
— Maddy, 12/4/2013" Really enjoyed this book. If you like The Book Thief, you will like this book. "
— Regina, 11/4/2013" good book. has an artistic flair- not my favorite style, but good nonetheless. "
— Leisy, 10/29/2013" What a book! Beautiful, lyrical, lovely. "
— Nora, 10/16/2013" Slow, quiet, poetic. Not my type of book AT ALL. But I didn't wish to stop while I was reading it, so I guess it was okay. Just nothing memorable about it. "
— Kayli, 8/12/2013" sad but good but sad "
— Elizabeth, 8/7/2013" narration of this story makes it even more touching than the print version would. very touching, poignant story. "
— Angie, 7/22/2013" Zazoo has made a deep impression on me. It is so eloquent, and so poetically written. The story of a girl and her adopted grandfather is just amazing. Everyone should read this WW2 memoir. "
— Kristen, 7/4/2013" Amid old secrets revealed and rifts healed, 13-year-old Vietnamese orphan, Zazoo, is raised in rural France by her aging "Grand-Pierre" and learns about life, death and love. Excellent read. "
— Kitty, 4/26/2013" If I had to choose ten books that I could read over and over this would be one of them. I still think of this young, true-hearted girl and her Grand Pierre. Though written for young-adults this book is complex and rich in history and plot. "
— Kathryn, 1/26/2013" Beautiful! A great experience! It was like a living, breathing description of the human condition! I loved this little book! "
— Samantha, 11/15/2012" Vietnamese orphan adopted by an older French lock-keeper learns about his past, stony silences, heros and killers and finds romance and friendship. slow start, but liked it alot, about love, adoption and war "
— Cheryl, 10/20/2012" It was confusing in the beginning, and the only reason I gave it two "
— Lydia, 9/25/2012" Beautiful cover. Beautiful story. The plot was a little slow, but other than that I really enjoyed the small poems, bits of history, and message that was woven throughout the story. This book was very well written and thought through. "
— Lauren, 6/5/2012" I don't know why this book moved me so much but I checked it out from the library and read it, then immediately went and bought it and read it again! "
— Meeshka, 5/31/2012" Love this love story. All about relationships--lost loves, new love, family love and friendship and how love is strong and can survive even in the face of war and hatred. "
— Jessica, 4/25/2012" LOVED IT! I don't exactly know why, but I loved it! I'd recommend it to all. "
— Tasha, 1/17/2012" I loved reading it. I totally recommend this book. "
— Sammi, 12/18/2011" Good for 6th-9th grade "
— Margo, 10/21/2011" Bittersweet; I would have liked it better if the main character had been a bit older. "
— Melissa, 10/9/2011" For a YF book, "Zazoo" was amazingly philosophical, compassionate, charming, tender, bitter-sweet --- beautifully written. A very nice coming of age book. "
— Lewestover, 4/28/2011" I kind of want to read this over and over. The narration has this impossibly romantic sensibility while refusing to take itself too seriously. It's just so FRENCH! "
— Rebecca, 3/19/2011" Zazoo lives in France with her adopted Grandpiere. Nice look a life in France and the relationships that sustain us. And, how to live with grief. "
— Brooke, 2/28/2011" I would not recommend this book. It dragged, it was boring and it would make you so sleepy. "
— Arielle, 2/26/2011" One of my favorite books growing up "
— Maddy, 1/20/2011" It's set in the French countryside, which alone is enough to read it. Add in some tasty food, a cute boy crush, and a very elderly grandfather, and it's the perfect book! <br/> "
— Allison, 9/24/2010" Amazing book, very descriptive one of my favorite books since I first read it in 7th or 8th grade. It's good for a short read. "
— Diana, 6/30/2010" Beautiful cover. Beautiful story. The plot was a little slow, but other than that I really enjoyed the small poems, bits of history, and message that was woven throughout the story. This book was very well written and thought through. "
— Lauren, 12/4/2009" A wonderfully written poetic historical fiction book. There is quite a bit of romance involved as well! :) Chronicles an old man and his bitter memories of WWII and fighting in Asia. "
— Allison, 7/22/2009" Interesting, but slow plot developement. Left you wanting to know more and why things happened. Some knowledge of history helpful to make the book more meaningful. Not a faced paced drama, but a thoughtful read. "
— Dee, 6/15/2009" LOVED IT! I don't exactly know why, but I loved it! I'd recommend it to all. "
— Tasha, 4/28/2009