The Secret of Zoom

by Lynne Jonell

Book Overview

Can two friends foil a dastardly plan and save orphans from a fate worse than death? Christina lives in a big, old stone mansion on the edge of a dark forest surrounded by barbed wire. Deep within the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805088563
• ISBN13: 9780805088564
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.9" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Crazily Sarcastic LOL Humor Resulting in Best Fantasy/Humor Combo Yet

I don't like science-fiction. Usually, I just find them always trying to sound as if they are giving you a portal to the year 3000. I liked The Secret of Zoom because it has story. The main Character is a girl named Christina and she is locked up in her house everyday until she talks to an orphan named Taft tells her of a secret tunnel that if she helps him, it could be his way to escape. Along the way Taft and Christina find out more secrets about the orphanage and how Christina`s mother's death than they thought was possible. The story plunges you into mystery, science-fiction, and adventure. The story is fast paced and enjoyable to any age group, the characters and story are deep and don't leave you without an exceptional read. I couldn't resist reading this book from the moment I read the description. The things that science is used for in this book are amazing and could actually come true and that's part of the reason I loved it. I'd give Lynne Jonell three cheers. ADDITION: The first part is my daughter's review. I wanted to add a bit about the author's sense of humor. Jonell has the best deadpan sense of humor of any children's author I've read in a long time. It begins with a series of strings of deaths that are relayed just as matter of factly as eating your corn flakes in the morning. It's shockingly laughable, but the tale all works out in the end even for those who don't appreicate a gallows-style sense of humor. Awesome stuff.

A Review Written by my Teenager

I ordered this book for my daughter and, since she is the one who read the book (and not I), I am having her write the review: The Secret of Zoom was one of the most unique, breathtaking storys I've read. I absolutely loved how Lynne Jonell created the zoom rock to be triggered by a perfect pitch. She showed the importance of music in such an inspiring way. The main characters are very realistic and they deal with sertain situations in a very grown up way. There are no errors that I can point out directly in the writing or the layout. I hope that Lynne Jonell writes all her books like The Secret of Zoom.

Fills a nice niche

This is a book that I think fills a spot for those readers that want to get into adventure fiction, but can't manage books like Harry Potter, Fablehavens or other books that are more involved. When I started the Secret of Zoom, I thought, hey, this is going to be good, I really enjoyed how the author introduced the main character, Christina, and the setting she was in. It grabbed your attention and interest immediately. It is not a lightweight book, just under 300 pages, but the story is linear in that it isn't jumping all over the place. If I recall correctly, the book's adventures take place in less than a weeks time, so the pacing is fast and revolves around Christina's actions. I have a 13 year old who probably wouldn't be too interested in this book, although she might, rather I think my 9 year old would be perfect for it. In a way, the author uses simpler words, so that my child would not have to stop and ask what does 'vestibule' mean, instead room or desk would be used. Granted, my child does not have a stellar reading vocabulary, but I think she could get through this book and would enjoy it. I did like that the book didn't have a childish storyline. It wasn't about a princess finding a handsome boy or anything silly. Instead, a young girl, elementary school age, is missing her mother and has no friends, but she is adventurous and during her exploring she learns many things about her life. She gains a friend, and it isn't a perfect relationship, but she learns give and take. She sees that not all adults are nice, that there are scared and hungry kids that need help, and she does what she can for them. I can safely say there is nothing inappropriate in this book that would raise anyones eyebrows. There is the underlying story of the orphans that Christina finds being a bit starved and always put on edge to make them fearful, but I don't think it is done in a way to cause kids to be frightened. I can see this book being read aloud to a class full of 2-4th graders. I think they would be eager listeners and would enjoy it. The ending is very good, almost bought a tear to my eye when I finished it on a plane ride.

Loved it

What a great story for kids. I would give it a age range of 6 - 12. It is a about a little girl who is overprotected by her father because it is believed her mother was blown up in an science accident. Don't worry about the story getting much darker than that because it doesn't. It quickly becomes an adventure where the girl meets an orphan boy and they find a tunnel and an interesting invention. All turns out great in the end. The author weaves in lessons about compassion for others, the bond between parents and children, friendship, and bravery. Even as an adult I liked it.

Another Winner from Lynne Jonell

This is just an awesome book. If you loved Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat you will love Zoom. It is so well crafted and written that once I started, I felt as if the book was singing to me a bit like a siren's leading me through the pages. It was impossible to put down and I lost sleep because of it. It is truly in the league of The Golden Compass and the The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke.