The Zuzu Secret

by Miriam Chernick

It’s summer, and Josie and Abe’s family just moved to a new town. They each have secrets . . . one of which involves caring for a bearded dragon.

12-year-old Josie Sherman, an animal lover and aspiring vet, rescues a bearded dragon lizard. But her family’s strict no-pets rule because of her brother's disability forces Josie to hide the lizard, Zuzu, in her bedroom.

Abe, Josie's 15-year-old brother, is a huge Orioles fan, and he has plans of his own. Abe lives with Prader-Willi syndrome, which restricts his independence. What secret risks will Abe take to reach his goals?

Told in alternating points of view, The Zuzu Secret explores the challenge of balancing independence with deception. Josie and Abe both have things to learn about being truthful with themselves and with the people they love.

Genres: Middle Grade, Animals, Realistic Fiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published May 6, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is for the hardcover edition of this book which for unknown reasons isn't listed here on the site. The pages are printed on especially thick, quality paper too. And I am very glad I picked this book up because this story had me totally captivated by the plot, which is so much more than just a girl trying to hide a pet lizard in her room.

There are two main characters in here: 12-year-old Josie and her 15-year-old disabled brother Abe. And can I say that I am actually astonished that Abe's behavior in here never irritated me or got on my nerves. I have never heard of Prader-Willi before but his very narrowed focus on certain things reminds me of autism (and I am autistic). And although Abe kept going on about baseball in here (which I have no interest in) it never annoyed me at all. The things he does definitely propels the plot.

A few things he did, like with the hot dogs, actually shocked me.

I very quickly got caught up in the lives of this family. And I did feel for poor Josie. I just couldn't see how she would ever get the things that she wanted, like to volunteer at the vet's office or to have a pet (or to find a home for Zuzu the bearded dragon). The only thing that actually confused me is the fact a vet would allow a 12-year-old to volunteer there at the clinic. I know animal shelters allow volunteers but I never heard of a vet clinic doing that. Maybe it's different in other states.

But the drama in here!! And Josie's problems grow by leaps and bounds as the pages go by. There is a huge climax too where everything seems to be going wrong at the same time. In fact things were so bad I just didn't see how they were going to get solved.

What a story!!

Did I say I read this whole book in one sitting? I did! I was totally hooked. And I hadn't been expecting that either. I had mainly grabbed this because it was an animal story but wow...

More people definitely need to read this!

Josie is definitely stronger than she knows she is. Because I would think it would be very hard to live with Abe. His condition kind of takes over the house.

I do wonder why he wasn't allowed to eat pizza? I wish the book would have explained why. He eats sandwiches so it can't be a gluten issue.

And I actually enjoyed the chapters from Abe's viewpoint. I liked his honesty even if he sometimes took stuff he wasn't supposed to, like his sister's backpack. But he doesn't have a mean bone in his body and I can understand why he sometimes gets very frustrated.

So I could relate to both main characters in here and that is super rare!

Adding this to my favorites. Reading this was very relaxing.

[A.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book. Two narrators to root for, and a sibling relationship that’s both unusual and entirely relatable.

While this book can just be enjoyed for the story, I can see this book sparking lots of excellent conversations at home or in a classroom. Some topics include:

-rare diseases (one of the narrators is Abe, who has Prader Willis Syndrome)
-ethics of exotic animal pets (one of the narrators finds and cares for a bearded dragon)
-pet care, specifically care of a bearded dragon
-when it is (and isn’t) okay to have secrets
-learning to be responsible and accountable (Josie wants to work at a veterinarian’s office)
-levels of independence, and what that can mean for different people
-sibling relationships

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Zuzu Secret is out now! This book is both beautiful inside and out! Miriam Chernick’s debut novel is a middle grade book about family love and the story of growing up with someone with a rare genetic disorder. The voices of Josie and Abe come alive, and you can tell the author has done her research (and lived a similar life.) I definitely recommend!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story describing the relationship between a girl and her brother with Prader-Willi syndrome. Highly recommend!

[Linda Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many things I loved about Chernick’s The Zuzu Secret, but one of them is this: While one of its two main characters, Abe, has a rare disease that affects his behavior, this is not a story about disability or inability. Instead, it’s about ability: Abe’s ability to love his family, his ability to make friends, his ability to keep secrets he knows are important to his sister Josie, and his ability to go after what he so passionately wants: to see Manny Machado play baseball at Camden Yards and to catch a baseball for his mother. Chernick renders Abe’s voice (which alternates with sister Josie’s), so vividly that he captured my heart.
Josie, too, has a driving passion: to work with animals and become a vet—as well as to care for Zuzu, a bearded dragon she has rescued and is keeping under her bed. All of which is challenging, because her parents have a strict no pets rule related to Abe’s past behavior. Josie’s chapters vividly capture the frustrations of the early teen years, when it sometimes seems your parents won’t ever say Yes. And indeed, the true-to-life parents in The Zuzu Secret do say No a lot, because they have their own trials and tribulations to deal with, in helping Josie and her brother—and themselves—make the transition to a new town and their new jobs. Families like Josie's and Abe’s require extra sacrifices, and Josie, in particular, must come to terms with that extra responsibility (and deal with her qualms about lying) while still trying to realize her long-held dreams.
Kids will soak in a lot of wisdom—and a lot of baseball and lizard facts—from these pages as Chernick adeptly steers Josie’s passions, Zuzu’s fate, and Abe’s baseball obsession closer and closer together, until they meet in the heartfelt conclusion. (I received an advance reader copy of this story.)

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this wonderful story and gobbled it up in a few sittings. This is the best kind of middle grade read: The pages fly and you're friends with these siblings who are going through some stuff, but there's a bearded dragon! And baseball! And a goal. And a sweet sibling relationship that isn't always sweet, but there's so much love, and shouldn't that be the way of things? I love the pacing for young people - there's always tension and something big happening. Plenty of highs and lows. There are two points of view, which I loved, and each voice is distinct and real. There is real dignity and bravery and kindness in these characters. I put down this book feeling warm and like my heart and grown. I will be sharing this book with the young readers I know.

[Barbara Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book. By choosing to tell the story from two points of view, Chernick shows how the dreams and goals of family members often conflict with one another, as well as how strong families solve these conflicts. Like Leslie Connor's award-winning novel, THE TRUTH AS TOLD BY MASON BUTTLE, this book reveals the world seen through the eyes of a boy with some limited abilities, in this case caused by a rare genetic disorder. At the same time, his sister's point of view shows us the joys, fears, and determination of a child shouldering outsized responsibilities within her family. Lots of empathy can be found in these pages.

[Mary Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Zuzu Secret is a multi-layered story with two well-crafted points of view. It moves quickly through the story of Josie's desire to become a vet, which leads to secrets and friendships, and her brother Abe's longing to go to an Orioles game. Abe's Prader-Willis syndrome is thoughtfully handled, as a natural part of the story. This is a rich read, with well-rounded characters and a compelling story.

[Stefanie Abramowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this book with a beardie-sized lump in my throat. I felt deeply the lows and highs of Josie’s and Abe’s inner monologues. And if that were my dad, I’d lie to him too! 🤪 Congratulations Miriam - I can’t wait to read your next grand slam. ❤️

[NCB NBC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with an exciting finish! For readers interested in the family dynamics of living with a special needs person, this is a must read.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sibling relationships hit with heart and soul, and characters to root for until the end.

Josie is three years younger than her brother, but thanks to Prader-Willi's syndrome, she often takes the lead and watches out for him. Their family's move to a small town gives Josie the chance to volunteer at a local veterinarian's office...if she can get her parents to approve. Just as it seems that her dream might come true, they suffer a car accident, which leaves her mother in care for awhile. With only her father to help them settle into the new house and life for awhile, Josie finds herself needing to step up even more when it comes to helping her brother and sacrificing her own dreams and desires. But there is one positive aspect to the entire mess. Josie decided to save a lizard, and keeps it in her room despite the family's rule against pets. Her brother also knows her secret, and together, Josie's hoping her parents will never find out.

These pages beam with sibling goodness and offer an inspiring tale surrounding the ups and downs that family life can bring. While life in the new town, the hospitalization of a parent, and fighting for dreams are already enough themes to create a rich read, this one also weaves in a disability, Prader-Willi's syndrome. This story raises awareness for the disability, but more importantly, it approaches it with a wholesome and inspiring light.

The book is written in alternating points of view between Josie and her brother, Abe. In this way, the reader gets to know both well...and it gives an interesting view into Abe's perception of the world. He's easy to like, has an unique insight into things, and is as enjoyable to follow as his sister. Both characters gain depth, and both are easy to understand, although they see things very differently most of the time.

Then, there's the lizard. While it acts as a bonding point for the siblings and offers a bit of tension when things don't always run smoothly, it also opens the door to some animal facts. Readers learn more about the species as Josie does her best to take care of it. But then, this also opens the door to the entire theme of caring for pets...and harboring secrets from parents.

In other words, it's a read with much to enjoy.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Zuzu Secret is an engaging middle grade story by Miriam Chernick. Released 6th May 2025 by Charlesbridge, it's 272 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a dual POV format book with siblings who are relatable and believable. The book makes quite a lot of good and thoughtful points without ever being preachy or strident. When is it ok to keep secrets, how can we resolve conflict constructively and sensitively, pet care and responsibility? There's also an admirable amount of content about living with disability (Josie's brother, Abe, has Prader-Willi syndrome and the author does a good job of showing some of the realities and how they impact Josie and her family).

Four and a half stars. This would be a great choice for public or school library acquisition, and would also make a great story-time discussion book project. It's aimed at middle grade readers, circa 10-12 year olds, but there are a number of very good takeaways for readers of all ages.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in alternating voices between siblings Josie and her brother Abe. Josie is 12 and after her family just moved to a new town she desperately wants to volunteer at a vet clinic to start her path to being a vet someday. However, her parents are focused on her 15-year-old brother who has Prater Willi syndrome. In addition, they are in a car accident and her mom suffers a concussion, so Josie gets lost in the shuffle. During all of this, she finds a bearded dragon which she brings home and hides despite a very strict no pets rule. She is determined to take care of it until she can find its owner and return it. Meanwhile, Abe is a huge baseball fan and wants nothing more than to go to the Orioles game and catch a ball to give to their mom.
This is a heartwarming story about family, especially siblings who have complicated relationships. Backmatter includes more information about Prater Willi syndrome.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of The Zuzu Secret, Miriam Chernick’s debut novel. Twelve-year-old Josie dreams of becoming a veterinarian, and is determined to do right by the bearded dragon she has rescued, in defiance of her parents’ strict no-pets rule. Josie’s fifteen-year-old brother Abe dreams of seeing the Orioles play at Camden Yards, and catching a ball for his mother. Although Abe is older than Josie, he was born with Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare disease that makes him intellectually challenged, and needing constant supervision, a responsibility that often falls to Josie.
Alternating voices vividly bring to life each sibling’s individual hopes, strengths, and flaws, and convincingly capture their abiding love and understandable frustrations with each other. Told with compassion and humor, The Zuzu Secret is a great read – absorbing, exciting, and informative.

[Carol Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will tug at your heartstrings and also warm your heart. It’s a moving look at family life for twelve-year-old Josie and her older brother, Abe, who has Prader-Willi syndrome and needs constant supervision. Told in alternating points of view, we are able to see the struggles, frustrations, and passions of both characters. Predictably, their desires sometimes conflict, despite their love for each other. There is good tension as we feel for Josie and worry about the consequences of her bad decisions, hoping all will turn out well. I loved the bearded dragon and Josie’s struggle to take care of it and keep it a secret! Over all, The Zuzu Secret is an absorbing, interesting read, filled with humor, warmth and compassion.

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie will be a veterinarian one day. But first she needs experience, like volunteering a local clinic. But her parents won’t let her, as they rely on her to take care of Abe, her older special-needs brother. And then Zuzu comes into Josie’s life: an abandoned bearded dragon whom Josie is determined to prove that she can care for despite the strict no-pets rule.
Abe has goals of his own, specifically, seeing the Orioles play at Camden Yards. Though Josie promises to help, she’s stretched too thin. How long can Josie a Zuzu a secret from her family? Both Josie and Abe’s determination come alive on the page as the siblings struggle to find common ground in this poignant and humorous story.

[Mima Tipper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told in alternating voices between 12 yro Josie and her special needs 15 yro bro Abe, the story follows the first few days of the family’s move to a new home. Desires clash with special needs, and when a crisis arises Abe and Josie find themselves keeping secrets, some of them with a high danger potential. Fantastic writing, believable characters, and intriguing family dynamics made this a super-engaging read. Highly recommend.

[Naomi Milliner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut novel, told in two points of view, is written with a sure hand and filled with warmth and heart. I especially appreciated the seamless ways Chernick teaches about Prader-Willi Syndrome via lovable Abe, and - of course! - bearded dragons!

[Jackullin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not the target audience and I could tell because a lot of this book really got on my nerves, but I was intrigued and kept reading so I must have liked it.

I think this book is good for younger readers with the themes of (dis) honesty, responsibility, dreams.

[Melissa Dassori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely taken with Miriam Chernick's middle grade debut, The Zuzu Secret. Chernick's story perfectly captures the push and pull of family relationships. Perfect for anyone who's struggled to balance their own desires with their love for others -- and any Baltimore Orioles fans, too.

[Rebecca Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very beautifully written. Highly recommend. Learned so much about the struggles and joys of living with a special needs family member. And bearded dragons! (I was fortunate to receive an early copy)