The Secret Zoo
Written by Bryan Chick
Narrated by Patrick Lawlor
4.5/5
()
About this audiobook
A fast-paced and exciting read for middle grade fantasy, mystery, and animal buffs. Something strange is happening at the Clarksville City Zoo. Late at night, monkeys are scaling the walls and searching the neighborhood—but what are they looking for?
Noah, his sister Megan, and their best friends, Richie and Ella, live next door to the zoo. Megan is the first to notice the puzzling behavior of some of the animals. One day Megan disappears, and her brother and their friends realize it's up to them to find her. Their only choice is to follow a series of clues and sneak into the zoo. But once inside, they discover there's much more to the Clarksville City Zoo than they could ever have guessed...
The author originally had the idea for The Secret Zoo when he was nine and wondered what would happen if zoo exhibits had secret doors that allowed kids to go inside—and the animals to come outside. He brings that sense of adventure and excitement to this story, making it a favorite for home and classroom reading along with such middle grade fantasy favorites as The One and Only Ivan.
Bryan Chick
Bryan Chick is the author of the Secret Zoo series. He originally had the idea for the series when he was a nine-year-old and wondered what would happen if zoo exhibits had secret doors that allowed children to go inside . . . and the animals to come outside. Bryan Chick lives with his wife and four children in Clarkston, Michigan.
Related to The Secret Zoo
Titles in the series (3)
The Secret Zoo Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Secret Zoo: Secrets and Shadows Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Secret Zoo: Riddles and Danger Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related audiobooks
Frindle Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Secret Zoo: Riddles and Danger Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Secret Zoo: Secrets and Shadows Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Dragon Defenders - Book One Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Wolf Called Wander Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sky Pirates: Echo Quickthorn and the Great Beyond Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Whale of the Wild Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Kenny & the Dragon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian #1: The Fuzzy Apocalypse Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wish Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5My Father's Dragon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Henry and the Chalk Dragon Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Louise: The Adventures of a Chicken Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Wind in the Willows: Classic Tales Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tanglewood Animal Park: Baby Zebra Rescue Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Lulu and the Brontosaurus Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Familiars Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Very, Very Far North Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Willa The Wisp Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wind Riders #1: Rescue on Turtle Beach Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Snow Dragon Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Secrets of Bearhaven (Bearhaven #1) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Of a Feather Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Monster and Boy: Book 1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Big Foot and Little Foot Collection Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Green Ember: The Green Ember Book I Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5National Geographic Kids Chapters: Horse Escape Artist: And More True Stories of Animals Behaving Badly Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Princess the Cat Defeats the Emperor: A Cat and Dog Children's Book Christmas Caper Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Children's Action & Adventure For You
The Dragonet Prophecy: Wings of Fire, Book 1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Allies Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets: Color Edition (Captain Underpants #2) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Warriors #1: Into the Wild Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Warriors #2: Fire and Ice Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Howl's Moving Castle Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Lost Heir (Wings of Fire #2) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Adventures of Captain Underpants: Color Edition (Captain Underpants #1): Captain Underpants, Book 1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues, Book 1) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Peter Pan Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mossflower Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Island of the Blue Dolphins Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Day of Doom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Girl Who Drank the Moon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Projekt 1065: A Novel of World War II Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The False Prince (The Ascendance Series, Book 1) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Castle in the Air Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Restart Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Iceberg Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Lost Heir (The Gryphon Chronicles, Book 1) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Alone Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sky Raiders Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Once There Was Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Big Tree Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Merchant of Death Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Two Degrees Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for The Secret Zoo
13 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Leaving aside all ethical questions and concerns about zoos as an institution, I read this to my son, aged 4, and we both really enjoyed it. I think the ideal reader would be 8 or 9 years old, though, because there were a few moments that were too violent and some others that were too complex for a 4 year old.
The broad concept, of a conspiracy involving animals and people, and the feature of magic unfolding slowly in a story for kids, really work well. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This book was a bit Stranger Things and a bit Willy Wonka. I was proofing it for consideration of having a 7 year old read it and determined pretty early on that it was not appropriate. There are many secrets kept from parents (by instruction of other adults) and kids running off in the middle of the night. It also felt like the author rushed through the ending of the book while trying to set up for a follow-on book.Overall it was not a bad book in general, but it seems to be set in a time that doesn’t exist anymore and may give kids ideas for activities that are no longer considered safe.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I love the scary parts, and I am so glad that it all came out! I think you books are very good! Tasha Steinhauer age 8