Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Puffin Canada (2017), 176 pages
Description
A humorous coming-of-age middle-grade novel set in 1960s Florida. Battling obxious siblings, sunburns, and a corporate millionaire, Norman is determined to help an old comedian save his career. It's the winter of 1965. Norman Fishbein is enduring not only a cold winter but also the usual torments and annoyances from his two older brothers. When Norman wins a thousand dollars in the "Count-the-Doozy-Dots Contest" his parents let him choose how to spend it, strongly suggesting a new car is what the family needs. But Norman decides what his family really needs is their first vacation that doesn't mean camping in a tent--a trip to Miami Beach. A snowstorm almost wrecks their plans, but in the end Norman gets his first plane ride (with both brothers air-sick on either side of him). Miami strikes him as a paradise--warm weather, palm trees, beaches, and ocean. They stay in luxury at the Royal Palm Hotel, owned by the mysterious millionaire Herbert Spitzer. One day at the pool Norman spots an old man in a black suit, who his father tells him is a once-famous comedian named Mort Ziff. (Norman's father thought that Mort Ziff had died years ago.) Holding onto the remains of his career, Mort Ziff is performing every night in the hotel dining room. A chance meeting begins an unusual friendship between Norman and the old comedian. But after hearing that Mort Ziff has been fired, to be replaced by "The Centipedes," a pop group imitating the Beatles, Norman takes matters into his own hands, resolving to save Mort's job and in the process, coming to realize an innner strength he didn't know he had.… (more)
Awards
Joan Betty Stuchner—Oy Vey! —Funniest Children’s Book Award (Winner — 2019)
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member MikeDI
I received this book from Library Books (Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review, which is what you will get.
The Mort Ziff Is Not Dead synopsis reads:
Battling obxious (should be obnoxious) siblings, sunburns, and a corporate millionaire, Norman is determined to help an old comedian
It’s the winter of 1965. Norman Fishbein is enduring not only a cold winter but also the usual torments and annoyances from his two older brothers. When Norman wins a thousand dollars in the “Count-the-Doozy-Dots Contest” his parents let him choose how to spend it, strongly suggesting a new car is what the family needs. But Norman decides what his family really needs is their first vacation that doesn’t mean camping in a tent—a trip to Miami Beach.
A snowstorm almost wrecks their plans, but in the end Norman gets his first plane ride (with both brothers air-sick on either side of him). Miami strikes him as a paradise—warm weather, palm trees, beaches, and ocean. They stay in luxury at the Royal Palm Hotel, owned by the mysterious millionaire Herbert Spitzer.
One day at the pool Norman spots an old man in a black suit, who his father tells him is a once-famous comedian named Mort Ziff. (Norman’s father thought that Mort Ziff had died years ago.) Holding onto the remains of his career, Mort Ziff is performing every night in the hotel dining room. A chance meeting begins an unusual friendship between Norman and the old comedian. But after hearing that Mort Ziff has been fired, to be replaced by “The Centipedes,” a pop group imitating the Beatles, Norman takes matters into his own hands, resolving to save Mort’s job and in the process, coming to realize an inner strength he didn’t know he had.
I rated this book 5 Stars – I liked the author’s background creation for the story (Snowy winter in a big city and Norman’s decision process and making. What I liked most was it was written from a young boy’s POV. Most books today are by and about girls which is understandable because they are the bigger readers but boys have little to choose from. The three girls are not mentioned in the summary but they added much to the story. Having little Amy who mirrored Norman’s problems was great Norman’s brothers gradually grew to accept him and stopped his bullying which was also true to life.
I’d read anything by this author and recommended this book to my grandson.
I read it as quick as I could (two nights) as I hated to put it down. 5 Stars.
The Mort Ziff Is Not Dead synopsis reads:
Battling obxious (should be obnoxious) siblings, sunburns, and a corporate millionaire, Norman is determined to help an old comedian
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save his career in 1960s Florida.It’s the winter of 1965. Norman Fishbein is enduring not only a cold winter but also the usual torments and annoyances from his two older brothers. When Norman wins a thousand dollars in the “Count-the-Doozy-Dots Contest” his parents let him choose how to spend it, strongly suggesting a new car is what the family needs. But Norman decides what his family really needs is their first vacation that doesn’t mean camping in a tent—a trip to Miami Beach.
A snowstorm almost wrecks their plans, but in the end Norman gets his first plane ride (with both brothers air-sick on either side of him). Miami strikes him as a paradise—warm weather, palm trees, beaches, and ocean. They stay in luxury at the Royal Palm Hotel, owned by the mysterious millionaire Herbert Spitzer.
One day at the pool Norman spots an old man in a black suit, who his father tells him is a once-famous comedian named Mort Ziff. (Norman’s father thought that Mort Ziff had died years ago.) Holding onto the remains of his career, Mort Ziff is performing every night in the hotel dining room. A chance meeting begins an unusual friendship between Norman and the old comedian. But after hearing that Mort Ziff has been fired, to be replaced by “The Centipedes,” a pop group imitating the Beatles, Norman takes matters into his own hands, resolving to save Mort’s job and in the process, coming to realize an inner strength he didn’t know he had.
I rated this book 5 Stars – I liked the author’s background creation for the story (Snowy winter in a big city and Norman’s decision process and making. What I liked most was it was written from a young boy’s POV. Most books today are by and about girls which is understandable because they are the bigger readers but boys have little to choose from. The three girls are not mentioned in the summary but they added much to the story. Having little Amy who mirrored Norman’s problems was great Norman’s brothers gradually grew to accept him and stopped his bullying which was also true to life.
I’d read anything by this author and recommended this book to my grandson.
I read it as quick as I could (two nights) as I hated to put it down. 5 Stars.
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LibraryThing member dutchgirldtd
It's 1965 and to the shock of your two obnoxious older brothers, you've won $1000.00 in a contest. What would YOU spend it on? This is the dilemma Norman faces, knowing that his parents think it would be great if he helped them get a new roof or replace their aging car, but also tempted by some
Almost as soon as they arrive in Florida, they meet a family with three daughters the same ages as Norman and his brothers, an instant feud develops between the older siblings. Norman and Amy, however, become friends, and when they hear that their hotel's resident comedian, Mort Ziff, is going to be fired, they determine to help him keep his job.
This is a quick, fun read for middle elementary grades. Though not terribly deep or insightful, we get a good glimpse of the family's dynamics and a sense of Norman's affection for his parents and theirs for him. We also see Norman grow in small but significant ways during the story. Most importantly, Norman's brothers' selfish, childish attitudes are contrasted with Norman's selfless, generous spirit in a way that is not preachy but most definitely makes its point.
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very cool airplane kits he has never been able to afford. What he decides, however, is to take the family to Miami for a week's vacation.Almost as soon as they arrive in Florida, they meet a family with three daughters the same ages as Norman and his brothers, an instant feud develops between the older siblings. Norman and Amy, however, become friends, and when they hear that their hotel's resident comedian, Mort Ziff, is going to be fired, they determine to help him keep his job.
This is a quick, fun read for middle elementary grades. Though not terribly deep or insightful, we get a good glimpse of the family's dynamics and a sense of Norman's affection for his parents and theirs for him. We also see Norman grow in small but significant ways during the story. Most importantly, Norman's brothers' selfish, childish attitudes are contrasted with Norman's selfless, generous spirit in a way that is not preachy but most definitely makes its point.
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LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
I received this through the Early Reviewers Department
I enjoyed the story immensely. I thought I'd spread the reading over three sections, but wound up reading it in two. This is a book that I think kids could not only enjoy but also learn from. It tapped in to my time in the 1960s and some of the
It is winter in Toronto, Canada in 1965. Norman Fishbein lives with his two brothers, Marcus and Larry, and his parents. Being the youngest, Norman is subject to the teasing and tormenting of his older brothers. When Norman wins the $1000 prize in the "Guess-the-Doozy-Dots Contest" things take a subtle shift.
His brothers feel he should share his winnings with them...they are brothers, after all. His parents mention that the house could use a new roof, the family car isn't the most reliable and it might be a good idea to put some aside for his college education.
When his parents tell him that it is his money and he is the one that will make the decision on what will be done with it, it opens up a wide selection of "what-ifs." A set of drums? A "professional level" model plane kit with a six-foot wing span and a gas engine? A new bike?
When he sees an article in the local paper about the Beatles being in Miami Beach, Florida when they come to the U.S. for their second appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, he realizes that his family has never had a really nice vacation and his winnings could pay for one!
Plans are made and off the family goes for sun, surf and sand. Flying south for a five day stay in a luxurious hotel, courtesy of Norman's winnings.
While in Miami Beach the Fishbeins meet the Horvaths, a family of three girls and their parents. The parents hit it off, but the kids are at that age where boys and girls don't really mix. A rivalry develops between the older kids, but...Norman and Amy, the youngest Horvath, become friends but don't let the older kids know so as not to put up with the teasing that would happen.
One day out at the pool, Norman notices an old man in a black suit with a small dog under his arm. The man looks out of place, and when Norman points him out to his dad he is told that the man is Mort Ziff, a legendary commedian and the unofficial mayor of Miami Beach. "I thought Mort Ziff was dead!" his dad remarks.
Turns out that Mort Ziff is and has been the entertainer at the The Royal Palm Dining Room, the hotel's fancy restaurant. Mort's style of delivery is deadpan and similar to Don Rickles, but without the heavy sharpness. Norman is fascinated by Mort Ziff and a friendship develops between the two.
When Norman finds out that Mort Ziff is being replaced by the Centipedes, a Beatles copy band, he decides to enlist the help of his brothers, Amy and her sisters to campaign to keep Mort Ziff performing.
Cary Fagan's description of the location, characters' activities and interactions made it easy to visualize what was going on. The kids were just kids and enjoyed experiencing a beach location and all it had to offer. The parents were part of the story more as guides, with the focus being on the kids and their activities. There were rules but there was also the freedom to enjoy.
The story also illustrated how competition can sometimes bring people into friendship. There can be a commonality in what the two parties are competing in.
I enjoyed the story immensely. I thought I'd spread the reading over three sections, but wound up reading it in two. This is a book that I think kids could not only enjoy but also learn from. It tapped in to my time in the 1960s and some of the
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mind set.It is winter in Toronto, Canada in 1965. Norman Fishbein lives with his two brothers, Marcus and Larry, and his parents. Being the youngest, Norman is subject to the teasing and tormenting of his older brothers. When Norman wins the $1000 prize in the "Guess-the-Doozy-Dots Contest" things take a subtle shift.
His brothers feel he should share his winnings with them...they are brothers, after all. His parents mention that the house could use a new roof, the family car isn't the most reliable and it might be a good idea to put some aside for his college education.
When his parents tell him that it is his money and he is the one that will make the decision on what will be done with it, it opens up a wide selection of "what-ifs." A set of drums? A "professional level" model plane kit with a six-foot wing span and a gas engine? A new bike?
When he sees an article in the local paper about the Beatles being in Miami Beach, Florida when they come to the U.S. for their second appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, he realizes that his family has never had a really nice vacation and his winnings could pay for one!
Plans are made and off the family goes for sun, surf and sand. Flying south for a five day stay in a luxurious hotel, courtesy of Norman's winnings.
While in Miami Beach the Fishbeins meet the Horvaths, a family of three girls and their parents. The parents hit it off, but the kids are at that age where boys and girls don't really mix. A rivalry develops between the older kids, but...Norman and Amy, the youngest Horvath, become friends but don't let the older kids know so as not to put up with the teasing that would happen.
One day out at the pool, Norman notices an old man in a black suit with a small dog under his arm. The man looks out of place, and when Norman points him out to his dad he is told that the man is Mort Ziff, a legendary commedian and the unofficial mayor of Miami Beach. "I thought Mort Ziff was dead!" his dad remarks.
Turns out that Mort Ziff is and has been the entertainer at the The Royal Palm Dining Room, the hotel's fancy restaurant. Mort's style of delivery is deadpan and similar to Don Rickles, but without the heavy sharpness. Norman is fascinated by Mort Ziff and a friendship develops between the two.
When Norman finds out that Mort Ziff is being replaced by the Centipedes, a Beatles copy band, he decides to enlist the help of his brothers, Amy and her sisters to campaign to keep Mort Ziff performing.
Cary Fagan's description of the location, characters' activities and interactions made it easy to visualize what was going on. The kids were just kids and enjoyed experiencing a beach location and all it had to offer. The parents were part of the story more as guides, with the focus being on the kids and their activities. There were rules but there was also the freedom to enjoy.
The story also illustrated how competition can sometimes bring people into friendship. There can be a commonality in what the two parties are competing in.
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LibraryThing member kimpiddington
Easy reading tale of a family vacation wrought with sibling rivalry, where an awful lot happens in one week. Main character is sweet and kind.
LibraryThing member DuffDaddy
I received this book through the Early Reviewers program.
When I requested Mort Ziff Is Not Dead, I did not realize it was a kid's book. I'm glad, however, that I did not because I might not have requested it and, if so, would have missed a fun, quick read.
Fagan's book was a delightful story of a
The action in Mort Ziff is fast-paced and he includes all the right details. It's fun to imagine this Canada family enjoying the sun and fun of Florida during the winter. Also, it's charming how the kids in the book take to the old-fashioned humor offered by Mr. Ziff over the Beatlesesque band the Centipedes.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys children's lit, tales set in Florida, or stories set in the 60s. Thank you, ER, for sharing this book with me.
When I requested Mort Ziff Is Not Dead, I did not realize it was a kid's book. I'm glad, however, that I did not because I might not have requested it and, if so, would have missed a fun, quick read.
Fagan's book was a delightful story of a
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Toronto boy who wins enough money to take his family on vacation to sunny Miami Beach. Set in the 60's, the tale revolves around how this young boy and his newfound friend save the career of a has-been comedian. The action in Mort Ziff is fast-paced and he includes all the right details. It's fun to imagine this Canada family enjoying the sun and fun of Florida during the winter. Also, it's charming how the kids in the book take to the old-fashioned humor offered by Mr. Ziff over the Beatlesesque band the Centipedes.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys children's lit, tales set in Florida, or stories set in the 60s. Thank you, ER, for sharing this book with me.
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LibraryThing member cbl_tn
It’s 1965, and Norman Fishbein has just won the grand prize in a mall contest. He could buy a spectacular model airplane with his winnings, but he decides instead to take the whole family to Miami during the Christmas holiday. On the first day at their hotel, Norman’s two older brothers start a
This is a fun story about family, friendship, and generosity. Although it’s written for a middle grade audience, many adult readers would enjoy the story, too, especially those old enough to remember The Love Boat. Substitute the Pacific Princess for Miami’s Royal Palm Hotel and you’d have a ready-made script for an episode of The Love Boat. Readers expecting a Christmas story may be disappointed. Even though the trip to Miami takes place at Christmas time, the Fishbeins are Jewish and no holiday celebrations are mentioned.
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program.
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rivalry with the three Horvath sisters. Norman and the youngest Horvath sister Amy, would rather be friends. They also befriend Mort Ziff, the aged stand-up comedian who entertains diners in the hotel restaurant. When they find out that Mort is in danger of losing his job to a Beatles wannabe band, Norman and Amy enlist their siblings help them save the day.This is a fun story about family, friendship, and generosity. Although it’s written for a middle grade audience, many adult readers would enjoy the story, too, especially those old enough to remember The Love Boat. Substitute the Pacific Princess for Miami’s Royal Palm Hotel and you’d have a ready-made script for an episode of The Love Boat. Readers expecting a Christmas story may be disappointed. Even though the trip to Miami takes place at Christmas time, the Fishbeins are Jewish and no holiday celebrations are mentioned.
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program.
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LibraryThing member thornton37814
When Canadian youngster Norman Fishbein wins a $1000 in a contest in 1965, he decides he wants to spend the money on a family vacation to Miami Beach. Three all male siblings meet three all female siblings and the competition begins. Mort Ziff is a comedian playing at the resort hotel in which the
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families stay. The parents thought he was long dead, but he's just somewhat down on his luck. Norman and Amy Horvath try to help save Mort's job. It's a cute story, somewhat reminiscent of The Brady Bunch. Show Less
LibraryThing member cyndiea
This was a quick, fun book...very appropriate for it's middle school audience. Norman is a likable character and many readers can sympathize with the trouble that he has with his two brothers who torment him terribly. I agree with other reviewers that this is a wonderful throwback to a time when
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kids were kids! Show Less
LibraryThing member eggsnhm
This was a quick, easy read. Unfortunately, however, I didn't really find it very engaging. Usually, I'm a huge fan of books for kids and young adults, but this one just didn't grab me, despite having a likable protagonist. I think my real frustration is that there wasn't enough depth to the
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characters to really draw me in. Show Less
LibraryThing member ejmam
This is an old fashioned book that reminds me of the books I devoured by the shelfload when I was young. Just a kid in a family, maybe with the annoying siblings being a little exaggerated, who has an unusual experience. The writing is direct and unshowy, but very cosy, and I really enjoyed the
I hope kids today still read stuff like this, although of course it would feel historic rather than nostalgic to them.
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small adventures of the vacation in Florida, and the quiet setting that makes the world of hotel life back when I was a kid seem very real. I hope kids today still read stuff like this, although of course it would feel historic rather than nostalgic to them.
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LibraryThing member wrightja2000
A cute, funny middle-grade read. My 10 yo also enjoyed it and sped through it. It was refreshing to come across a book that was well written and light hearted. Kids that act like kids. Families that aren't dysfunctional. And it was fun to think about what I would have done with a prize like that at
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that age... I wish I could say that I would have taken my family on a luxury vacation like the MC but probably not. Show Less
LibraryThing member vivirielle
This book takes place in the 60's, and in some ways, it feels like it could have been written then. It's different from a lot of modern books. It doesn't have a lot of angst, sibling rivalry, bad parents, or drama that you might expect. Instead, it's an upbeat, calm book about how one kid's
The book is funny and uncomplicated. It's a good book if you just want to relax and enjoy a stress-free read.
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selfless decisions affect his family when they go on a family vacation.The book is funny and uncomplicated. It's a good book if you just want to relax and enjoy a stress-free read.
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ISBN
0143198475 / 9780143198475