The Big Bazoohley [Paperback]

Peter Carey (Author), Abira Ali (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

Sam Kellow's family is stuck in the middle of a blizzard in a hotel room that costs $453 a night, but they are down to their last $40. Sam's father believes in the Big Bazoohley--the "Big Prize, the Jackpot"--that will come along just in time to save the family from ruin. But waiting around isn't good enough for Sam as comedy, adventure and fantasy unite in this highly acclaimed novel.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Booker Prize-winning author "combines daring exaggeration with cozily wrought details for an exquisitely balanced comedy," said PW in a boxed review. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5?Nine-year-old Sam Kellow is off in search of the Big Bazoohley?the grand prize that his gambler father promises will come along when they need it the most. Since the buyer for his mother's latest painting has disappeared, his father has no immediate prospects for making money, and Sam knows that they are down to their last $53.20, the boy slips out of their swank Toronto hotel room to find a solution. He hasn't gotten very far when he is kidnapped by a very strange couple who decide to groom him as an emergency substitute for their own son, who is in bed with chicken pox just when he's due to enter, and hopefully win, the Perfect Kiddo contest, for a part in a commercial and a check for $10,000. Sam is a very clever youngster, and it doesn't take him long to figure out how to turn the situation into the solution he was hoping to find. Along the way there are plenty of laughs and surprises and an ending that pulls it all together. This is a breezy contemporary adventure with a touch of fantasy. Readers will delight in Sam's adventures, empathize with his difficult situations, and cheer for his triumphs.?Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy,
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 135 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 9, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698114205
• ISBN-13: 978-0698114203
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,348,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A children's book just as quirky and unique as they come!, December 28, 1998

By 

Margaret Fiore - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Bazoohley (Paperback)

This kid needs more than ordinary luck to get himself and his parents out of a tight spot, but he isn't just going for a fix for the situation; he's shooting for the Big Bazoohley!

A book about guts and glory. A childhood adventure with a touch of magic.

Peter Carey brings his originality and poetic vision to a children's book with all the success he has had in adult prose. I loved it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NOT the typical little kids' book!, June 28, 2007

By 

*.~angelacia~.* (san diego) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Bazoohley (Faber Childrens Classics) (Paperback)

I read this book when I was maybe 7 and thoguht it was really good...and now that I read it 8 yrs later I still love it! This book plays out so strangely. It's like a dream. You have to read it!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Big Bazoohley, November 13, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Big Bazoohley (Paperback)

Do you like taking matters into your own hands, well if you do listen to this.
Ok theres a book I've been reading called The Big Bazoohley by Peter Carey.Its about a nine year old boy Sam.Sam's mom dad and of course him were down to there last twenty three dollars and fourty cents.So his family all went to a small town to see if they could make some money.Sam's Dad is a big gambler and his mom paints and sells art the size of match boxes but worth big bucks Sam was worried cause his big shot dad took his family to a huge hotel with a casino,buffet, and huge rooms.
The hotel was asking ....a night.Don't foreget they were broke, but sams mom was selling a .... piece of art so they supposed if she sold it theyed be able to pay rent.But it didn't work out how they thought,Sams mom didn't get the money and his dad was afraid to lose any more money by gambling it away.So Sam decided to go on a voyage for the thing his dad called the big Bazoohley.
I liked this story because a little boy thats 9 years old boy is going out to help his family.
I recommend this book to any body because it's usually hard for me to get into a book but I liked this one from the first chapter.