The Secret Zoo audiobook

cute, full of animals & mystery & magic.

I am a third grade teacher, and I read this book to my class. It was an absolute hit...and we can't wait for the second book to be published. The adventure that transpires throughout the book is magical and amazing! Bryan's vivid descriptions allow you to visualize each scene and be part of the action! All of my students LOVED this book...and thought Bryan was the most awesome author ever! We had the opportunity to have him come and speak to our 3-5 graders, and he gave such a powerful message to the children. Imagination when you are younger involves pretending through play, and when you get older you imagination has a new home...playing with a pencil and paper to make your imagination come alive through writing! What a great message to send to all children! I would encourage all children to read this book...and to invite Bryan to your school!

I have been looking for new books lately and my 9-year-old gave me this one and said she loved it and I should read it too. She also wants the other book in the series. After this one, I will be getting the rest for her lol. Can see why kids love it so much, who doesn't love animals? Good pace, easy

AudiobookNarrated by Patrick LawlorFun adventure book about kids who notice a whole lot more than the adults around them -- and the trouble they get in when they let their curiosity lead them.Megan notices odd happenings in the zoo next door to her house, starting with monkeys traveling across the rooftops of the neighborhood. When she investigates, she disappears. That's just the prologue.Noah, her brother, and their two best friends, Richie and Ella, are determined to figure out what happened to Megan. And when some of the animals in the zoo start acting strange -- starting with bringing the children fragments of journal entries in Megan's handwriting -- the tension and danger and clues mount. It takes some courage and determination and a lot of sneaking around and risk, but the children finally get behind the scenes and discover the Secret Zoo behind the zoo.Then things start moving fast. So fast that most of the book's action takes place in one night. There's danger everywhere, and a big handful of narrow escapes, but nothing that will keep the kids up at night. Or impressionable adults. Guaranteed you and the children listening with you will cheer when Noah, Megan, Ella and Richie make it safely home. And ready for more adventures.

As an educator of many years, I was exceptionally happy with how enthralled my students were with the book, "The Secret Zoo." The suspense in the story captivated the students and they didn't want to put the book down. This book was a great addition to my Fantasy lesson plans. The students are anxiously waiting for the 2nd book to come out. My school was fortunate enough to have the pleasure of having a visit from the author. His presentation to the students was far superior than any other that I have seen. He kept the students engaged and energetically walked them through his writing process. His visit was far better than other notable authors including Jonathan Rand.I highly recommend reading the Secret Zoo along with scheduling a visit to your school with the author. It is money definately well spent!

I thought Bryan Chick did an awesome job. The book was exciting and mysterious. The main characters are Noah, Megan, Ritchie, and Ella. The problem is Megan goes missing in the middle of the night. Find out what happened in The Secret Zoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cute book. Younger MG readers really seem to like it. The plot layout is episodic, with one exciting thing happening, then something else happening as an immediate follow up. The larger arc of the story, (a missing girl), mostly stays in the background. Overall, the kids make things happen, and those decisions move the episodes along. There are real zoo animals, and those animals interact with the characters, and kids love that.This plot is not complex. Another reader mentioned this book as one that their 4th grader loved. I'd say, that seems like the perfect age group. Even younger would be fine, as there are plenty of mini plot ups and downs, without the reader needing to track a larger plot in the background. A fun, simple read.

Jack says: I love it because it’s cool. I love Podgy the most. I’m scared the Shadow Man is going to get them.Mom says: I loved this book when I read it with Hannah & I loved it even more the 2nd time! I love all the action, character development, and the animals. Jack loved it because of the action. It’s cool that the author is from Michigan & that the idea is based on the Detroit Zoo. The only concern I have is the complicated back story and a few chapters of info dumping. Otherwise, it was great!