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The Secret Zoo #2
Secrets and Shadows
Book two in this fast-paced and exciting series for middle grade fantasy, mystery, and animal buffs.
Noah and his friends thought they had seen it all during their first journey into the Secret Zoo—but it was only the beginning. Now they must train to become Crossers, members of a secret society who freely travel to the Secret Zoo and back, helping to defend its borders. But now that the monstrous sasquatches are on the loose and the evil Shadowist is plotting destruction, will Noah, Megan, Ella, and Richie have what it takes to survive?
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.
Noah and his friends thought they had seen it all during their first journey into the Secret Zoo—but it was only the beginning. Now they must train to become Crossers, members of a secret society who freely travel to the Secret Zoo and back, helping to defend its borders. But now that the monstrous sasquatches are on the loose and the evil Shadowist is plotting destruction, will Noah, Megan, Ella, and Richie have what it takes to survive?
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.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
794 people are currently reading
933 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Chick
21 books148 followersThe idea of The Secret Zoo came to me when I was just nine years old. I wondered what it would be like if zoo exhibits had secret passages that allowed kids to get in and animals to get out. Over twenty years, this idea matured in complexity and length until it had become an epic story, to be told in ten full-length novels. When I'm not exploring the worlds in my head, I spend time speaking to likeminded peers at elementary schools across the nation. If you would like me to come visit your school, please contact info@BryanChick.com for more information or go to www.TheSecretZoo.com. Come visit my Facebook page at for updates at www.facebook.com/TheSecretZoo
Thanks for checking out my books!
Thanks for checking out my books!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
April 17, 2017
oh these books have such wonderful world building, just like narnia. plus it has so many mysteries along with so many animals. its just so cute, intriguing & beautiful.
February 9, 2021
Itś an amazing book! There is just that part about the book that makes you want to keep reading
June 5, 2014
WARNING: SPOILERS.
Summary: Kids do nothing, after which they do nothing. Then they have a conversation with some people about how weird and mystical the "Secret Zoo" is, which is followed by more nothing. Then there is an inconsequential episode involving the kids humiliating a bully in the school lunchroom (which is apparently designed to foreshadow something occurring in subsequent installments of the series -- at least, one would hope that the author is doing this intentionally, and didn't just forget about this element of the plot in his haste to churn out this book). Then nothing happens, and the conflict is heightened by the occurrence of more nothing. The kids also check in on the penguin who discovered that all penguins can fly, apparently, if only they believe in themselves. The author then recognizes gaping holes in his story, so he presents a brief history of the Secret Zoo, offering an "it's-just-magic-so-there" remedy for various nonsensical elements. Then, more nothing. We meet some teenage characters with all the stereotypical rebellious attitudes and angst of...teenage characters. Then the author learns the word "surreal" and employs it as if making up for lost time. Then the story climaxes in a frenzied sasquatch attack involving running...running...running...sasquatch plummets 40 feet to certain death...then "oh, by the way, while you were running we killed all the other sasquatches"). By the end of this second story, the villain still has not made an actual appearance in the story, but the mysterious red-haired figure (who hasn't really figured in to any of the conflict yet...but surely he's bound to in the next seven or eight books, right?) plots, "I'll get you darn kids...later...bwahahahaha."
One positive about this second installment in the series: The author has stopped having characters respond to questions by saying "nunh-unh" on every page They still answer questions by saying "nuh uh" almost as much as J. K. Rowling had Harry and Ron say "dunno" -- but at least the editor seems to have adjusted the spelling.
I'm not as mystified at the popularity of these books as I am at the "Hunger Games" but I'm still not recommending them to my gradeschoolers. The "Great Summer Reading Challenge of 2014" is already underway, and I have eleven months to make selections for Summer 2015 -- so I'll continue to search for contemporary writers who can write a meaningful story about kids who talk like kids and act like kids, rather than a story about kids who talk and act the way a middle-aged adult thinks they do.
Summary: Kids do nothing, after which they do nothing. Then they have a conversation with some people about how weird and mystical the "Secret Zoo" is, which is followed by more nothing. Then there is an inconsequential episode involving the kids humiliating a bully in the school lunchroom (which is apparently designed to foreshadow something occurring in subsequent installments of the series -- at least, one would hope that the author is doing this intentionally, and didn't just forget about this element of the plot in his haste to churn out this book). Then nothing happens, and the conflict is heightened by the occurrence of more nothing. The kids also check in on the penguin who discovered that all penguins can fly, apparently, if only they believe in themselves. The author then recognizes gaping holes in his story, so he presents a brief history of the Secret Zoo, offering an "it's-just-magic-so-there" remedy for various nonsensical elements. Then, more nothing. We meet some teenage characters with all the stereotypical rebellious attitudes and angst of...teenage characters. Then the author learns the word "surreal" and employs it as if making up for lost time. Then the story climaxes in a frenzied sasquatch attack involving running...running...running...sasquatch plummets 40 feet to certain death...then "oh, by the way, while you were running we killed all the other sasquatches"). By the end of this second story, the villain still has not made an actual appearance in the story, but the mysterious red-haired figure (who hasn't really figured in to any of the conflict yet...but surely he's bound to in the next seven or eight books, right?) plots, "I'll get you darn kids...later...bwahahahaha."
One positive about this second installment in the series: The author has stopped having characters respond to questions by saying "nunh-unh" on every page They still answer questions by saying "nuh uh" almost as much as J. K. Rowling had Harry and Ron say "dunno" -- but at least the editor seems to have adjusted the spelling.
I'm not as mystified at the popularity of these books as I am at the "Hunger Games" but I'm still not recommending them to my gradeschoolers. The "Great Summer Reading Challenge of 2014" is already underway, and I have eleven months to make selections for Summer 2015 -- so I'll continue to search for contemporary writers who can write a meaningful story about kids who talk like kids and act like kids, rather than a story about kids who talk and act the way a middle-aged adult thinks they do.
September 9, 2016
Another great adventure in the secret zoo. I love the richness of ideas and the children are not annoying. They are really fun. Totally recommend to readers from age 6 to 99 ;-)
November 17, 2023
My class loved the sequel to The Secret Zoo! They asked if we could continue the series so that is what we will be reading next! The characters continue their journey and discover a lot about the Secret Zoo and the Secret Society. Noah is definitely the main character in this book as he takes on a lot of the thinking. We are excited to see how the scouts progress as crossers and how they manage the two different worlds in the upcoming books!
February 25, 2025
I have no idea when I finished this book, but I read it in a day from start to finish and it did not disappoint. I highly enjoyed reading it. Onto the third book! Very excited.
July 27, 2025
Great children’s book with animals, adventure and mystery. Does end on a cliff hanger, which is a perfect setup for book 3.
July 23, 2020
Another great story from Bryan Chick!
In this second book of the series, more secrets are revealed as the Action Scouts are drawn further into the Secret Zoo. I've been reading this series with my 8 and 10 year old and we're all enjoying it. Lots of secrets, action, and humour too!
In this second book of the series, more secrets are revealed as the Action Scouts are drawn further into the Secret Zoo. I've been reading this series with my 8 and 10 year old and we're all enjoying it. Lots of secrets, action, and humour too!
April 19, 2011
The book starts slowly and ends at an exciting pace! (Our Grandson hooked me on this series.) The four Scouts become Crossers-in-training (crossing between the Secret Zoo and the World as we know it.) Secrets are revealed, Sasquatches terrorize the Secret Zoo, and the adventure continues!
August 25, 2022
Review from my 8 year old:
“I loved it. My favorite part was the ending with the Sasquatches.”
“I loved it. My favorite part was the ending with the Sasquatches.”
June 27, 2019
This is one of those books that after reading the first one and disliking it so much makes me wonder what I was thinking about when I chose to finish reading this. My honest opinion is I had the second at hand so I may as well and naturally, hopefully, the author may have improved his writing skills by the second book to make up for the first. Didn't work.
Everything I found out about the previous characters stayed the same although Ella seemed a bit more nicer at least but Richie was just as annoying a nerd as ever. Megan who was missing for the most part in the first is now included but like the others there is no meating out on her character and instead it seems like the book focuses more on Noah even possibly trying to set-up a romance inkling with him. In the end I felt the author should have just had the one kid having all the adventures while dropping all his friends off at home to continue on their uneventful life.
The writing was the same as the first - dull and sluggish with nothing to catch the reader's eye. As for the whole book it is just basically one complete episode and yes it really did take 266 pages for the author to ever really get into action on this one book.
Sorry Secret Zoo you tried too hard and failed while I am so glad after two books I have finished with you. I can't even imagine why it would take ten books to tell this story nor who would want to put themselves through this drudgery just to complete them.
Everything I found out about the previous characters stayed the same although Ella seemed a bit more nicer at least but Richie was just as annoying a nerd as ever. Megan who was missing for the most part in the first is now included but like the others there is no meating out on her character and instead it seems like the book focuses more on Noah even possibly trying to set-up a romance inkling with him. In the end I felt the author should have just had the one kid having all the adventures while dropping all his friends off at home to continue on their uneventful life.
The writing was the same as the first - dull and sluggish with nothing to catch the reader's eye. As for the whole book it is just basically one complete episode and yes it really did take 266 pages for the author to ever really get into action on this one book.
Sorry Secret Zoo you tried too hard and failed while I am so glad after two books I have finished with you. I can't even imagine why it would take ten books to tell this story nor who would want to put themselves through this drudgery just to complete them.
May 23, 2017
After their first adventure of saving Megan from the Dark Lands in the Secret Zoo, Noah, Megan, Ella, and Richie were asked to return by Mr. Darby. Upon meeting with the them, Mr. Darby asked the group if they would like to train to become Crossers, which meant that they could freely pass between the borders separating Clarksville City Zoo from the Secret Zoo. The group accepted the offer and began training with the Descenders, a group of teens who helped in protecting the Secret Zoo from danger. Noah, Megan, Ella, and Richie learned to pass from the Clarksville City Zoo into the Secret Zoo through different passageways and tunnels. But there was a problem. The Sasquatches were escaping from the Dark Lands into the Secret Zoo. Noah, Megan, Ella, Richie, and the Crossers have to work together to fight the Sasquatches and protect the Secret Zoo from danger. If you liked the Warriors book series, or the book, The Mysterious Benedict Society, I recommend reading this book along with the other books in this series.
December 31, 2022
I am doing a buddy read on this book with my 10 year old grandson, and we are really enjoying reading and discussing it together. The Secret Zoo is a 6 volume set geared toward 8-12 year old readers. The Secret Zoo is a wonderful zoo, but it has a second secret zoo underground with animals that speak and teens who keep the animals safe from the villainous sasquatches. Four children who call themselves the Scouts have discovered the secret zoo and now are being trained to become crossers who are allowed to enter the secret zoo. In book 2, the Scouts begins their training and find that the animals are able to help them navigate the various tunnels that comb throughout the secret zoo, but their training does not come with mishaps and trials.
Highly recommend this series for pre-teens who love animals as this book hooked my grandson on chapter books.
Highly recommend this series for pre-teens who love animals as this book hooked my grandson on chapter books.
December 10, 2019
Great bedtime adventure for the family
I've been reading this book to my kids (9&4) every night at bed. They love it. So much visual detail through out the story it makes you feel as though you are in the zoo with the scouts!
My kids always wake up with some crazy adventurous animal based dream and in the best of moods.
The mystery, the twist and turns and surprises make it so you never know what to expect next and when you think you do they give you a twist in the secret zoo. One of my favorite series as a adult honestly and u love that I can enjoy it with my kids.
I've been reading this book to my kids (9&4) every night at bed. They love it. So much visual detail through out the story it makes you feel as though you are in the zoo with the scouts!
My kids always wake up with some crazy adventurous animal based dream and in the best of moods.
The mystery, the twist and turns and surprises make it so you never know what to expect next and when you think you do they give you a twist in the secret zoo. One of my favorite series as a adult honestly and u love that I can enjoy it with my kids.
July 27, 2018
didn't read the first book, but this 2nd book definitely worth the read. Wonderfully scenic descriptions
even if the science doesn't kinda add up. Not sure i would have liked the first book, the 2nd book was hard to get into till after the 1st or 2nd chapter but definitely will read teh 3rd book.
Library read rather than purchase.
even if the science doesn't kinda add up. Not sure i would have liked the first book, the 2nd book was hard to get into till after the 1st or 2nd chapter but definitely will read teh 3rd book.
Library read rather than purchase.
October 11, 2019
Great but One Problem
The history and the plot is very intricate and the topic of a secret zoo is intriguing. But the thing I found upsetting is the fact that the boy does all the heroic bold actions and the girl is the helpless one trapped by her overly obsession with secrets.
But it was a great book
EXCEPT for the racism.
The history and the plot is very intricate and the topic of a secret zoo is intriguing. But the thing I found upsetting is the fact that the boy does all the heroic bold actions and the girl is the helpless one trapped by her overly obsession with secrets.
But it was a great book
EXCEPT for the racism.
August 13, 2021
These are very fun books for kids of all ages. I will say I did find some of the descriptions a bit long and distracting. I still love the characters but I found myself wanting more of the action rather than just the descriptions of surrounding. I realize this was a character/scene building piece but the first one had so much action you could not put it down.
January 20, 2023
This was another book read with my 8 and 10 year old granddaughters. They liked this more than I did but were willing to read something else next rather than the third book in the series. I’d give it 3.5 stars. I found the book more uneven than the first one and it didn’t have an ending as satisfying.
September 16, 2019
This book is important to me because in 3rd grade this was the last English assignment we did. We had a big scavenger hunt project about what had happened in the book. This was by my 3rd grade teacher who I haven't seen since because she was only there for a year.
October 9, 2019
This was a read-aloud and my ten year old enjoyed it. The first book started well and was tolerable, this one was drudgery. There was one entertaining escapade in a polar bear exhibit, but the rest of the book dragged.
December 26, 2019
This installment of the Action Scouts was a mess. It spent a lot of time describing the movements of the Scouts in/out of the Secret Zoo without telling much of a story. For some reason Noah, went off on his own to investigate more and ran into trouble...
March 15, 2020
I’m so happy Megan is in this book because I was so excited to see her even in the little bit she was in of the first! The Action Scouts are back together in this amazing sequel, and suddenly the pressure is on for them!
July 20, 2020
Much like the first, this is a delightful trip into the Clarksville Zoo, both in the real world and in secret. A good read for kids. A spunky adventure with likeable characters.
(Read for research on writing middle grade)
(Read for research on writing middle grade)
December 14, 2021
Maddie was all for it. She wanted 5 stars.
I thought it was a little slower and less exciting until the end-than the first book. It left with some action and has you ready for the next book. Which we will read.
I thought it was a little slower and less exciting until the end-than the first book. It left with some action and has you ready for the next book. Which we will read.
March 1, 2022
the secret zoo is one of my favorite books ever! even though i've only read the second one in the series, i really like it. it's main character in "secrets and shadows, book 2." is Noah. him and his friends, Ella, Richie, and Megan.
August 8, 2022
Having not read book one, I feel like enough basic information was in this one to fill in how the kids ended up in the Secret Zoo. The ending caught me off guard. Need to track down Book 1 and Book 3!
July 27, 2023
Not as good as the first. This book had a lot more description of the zoo. While well done it was harder for my 7 year old to pay attention, it was not as fast paced as the first book. A good ending and we look forward to book 3.
August 15, 2025
This plot was pretty messy. Introduction of too many new characters and not a real start/stop plot line. Obviously setting up for the next book, but not sure we will get there. Lost lots of the charm and magic of the first book.
May 14, 2019
I really liked it, it was fun. Can't wait for the next one.
October 12, 2019
I read this with my son, we read a little each school night. Absolutely love this series, can’t wait to start #3!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews