Customer Reviews

The Secret Zoo

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a third grade teacher who is still reading this book to my class...and we are ADDICTED to it! It is one of the best books I have read to my class in a long time. The book is filled with descriptive language, suspense, and a lot of action and adventure. My students beg me to read more and more each day. We have had a lot of great discussions and have applied the story to many of our literacy lessons...especially with vocabulary. I can only imagine that with more exposure, this book is going to be a hit. I can even see it becoming a successful movie! We are looking forward to the next book in the series!

Although this book is aimed at the 9-12 year old range I can't put it down myself! I bought it as a read-aloud for my children but have gotten so wrapped up in the characters and story line that I haven't gotten around to reading it to my kids yet. If you think the cover is beautiful wait until the experience of the mental pictures the author provides with his detailed and exquisit writing. I can't wait to pick up the book and start the next chapter!
A wonderful addition to anyone's household!

This was a great read! This adventure series seems like it will be as good as or even better than the Narnia series. I can't wait for the next one! It captured your attention from the beginning to end and is perfect for boys or girls. I ended up buying several more copies as gifts for my nephews and Godchild.

I lead a book club with my son's class each year. He is in 4th grade. Our group read The Secret Zoo this winter. All 7 kids loved it! I assigned pages each week and they complained every week about having to wait to read on. They stopped me in the halls to discuss what they thought was going to happen next.

They story is unique and very well told. While some parents may be put off by the "missing child" in the beginning of the story, we must remember that adult imagination is far more dark than a child's imagination when it comes to that topic - it never occurred to my group that she wouldn't be found, safe and sound. They were more excited about how she would be found. The vivid descriptions get the kids started in the right direction, but then let imagination take over.

The 4 heroes of book have traits with which every kid can identify. The characters bring a lot of humor to the books, especially Ella and Richie. My son was laughing out loud at times. The resolution is intense, but the humor and quick pace keeps it from getting too frightening.

The concept of the story really intrigued my group. I know when I took my son to the zoo a couple weeks after reading it, he found all sorts of potentials "secret zoo" entrances.

So, I have 7 kids anxiously awaiting the start of book club next year so they can find out what the Adventure Scouts are up to next. They've passed the book on to friends so my book club may be a little larger next year! Kids excited about reading - isn't that every parents dream?!

FYI - I also read The Secret Zoo aloud to my 1st grader and she loved it, too!

I got this book for my 8 year old daughter with intentions of reading it out loud to her. The trouble is, when she goes to bed or school I find myself reading ahead to see what happens next! This story really pulls you in and makes you want to know what happens next. I'm ready for the next book in this series!

The book, The Secret Zoo, written by Bryan Chick is an adventurous and thrilling book. This page-turner is about a girl named Megan who secretly visits the zoo. She thinks that something secret is going on, but she's not sure what. Suddenly, Megan disappears. Her brother, Noah, and her friends, Ella and Richie have a feeling that her disappearance has to do with the zoo. On a mission, they decide to go look for her at this mysterious place. Once they get there, they immediately tell that something is mysterious. Some of the animals are acting strange, and the zoo guards are avoiding contact with the three kids, and many other things. Suddenly, when they are there, they get kicked out by an odd security guard who is willing to help them. He tells the kids most of the secret things going on and why they're happening. He also has a secret connection with the animals and can speak to them. He tells the animals to help the kids to find their best friend by showing them something secret that very few people know about. The secret zoo. Throughout this book, the animals, the kids, and the help of some kind people, the adventure is a suspense for all readers. This is an amazing book that everyone should read. I'm 14 years old, and I can't wait to read the second book.

Fast shipping and a great read aloud to my kids, ages 4-11. We all enjoyed it and are counting the days until the sequel is released in a couple months.

The Secret Zoo is a fantastic novel for young readers about mysterious happenings in the Clarksville City Zoo. Nine-year-old Megan Nowicki has witnessed monkeys scaling the zoo walls, scurrying across rooftops, searching for something unknown. Weeks later, she suddenly disappears - her brother and their best friends know it has something to do with the zoo! To solve the mystery and rescue Megan, they must sneak inside the zoo and uncover an ancient secret, which must be protected from the nefarious Shadow Man at all costs! A modern-day fantasy adventure packed cover to cover with wide-eyed wonder.

I bought this for my 9 year old daughter, a reluctant reader, as a read aloud book. I read, she follows along. The vocabulary is definitely higher level. We both have been enjoying the adventure!!! A great book for boys and girls alike. The suspense is great, we're always wondering what will happen next.....

As an elementary school librarian, I'm always on the lookout for exciting books that will engage my 3rd-5th grade students. I'm half way through THE SECRET ZOO and I can't wait until Monday so that I can share this book with the children during their library visits. It will make a great read aloud as well as a wonderful book for students that enjoy mystery, nature, animals and a intriguing, fast-paced adventure. I just ordered a second copy as I know the first one will be well-worn by the end of the school year. I don't know why this book isn't also marketed for adults as I am sure that older "kids" would enjoy it just as much as the younger ones will!