The Secret of Zoone: A Tween Portal Fantasy Through the Multiverse for Children

Zoone #1

by Lee Edward Födi

Welcome to crossroads of the multiverse. In this inventive fantasy, fans of Diana Wynne Jones and Lisa McMann will step through an enchanted doorway and into a world filled with infinite portals to new—and sometimes perilous—lands.  

When a bright blue winged tiger appears on his aunt’s sofa, Ozzie can tell he’s in for an adventure. He’s thrilled to follow Tug—a skyger—through a secret door in the basement and into Zoone, the bustling Grand Central Station of the universe, where a thousand doors act as portals to strange and wonderful worlds.

But some doors also hide dangers—and when the portal back to Earth explodes behind him, Ozzie gets more adventure than he bargained for. In a station full of wizards, creepy-crawlies, and the occasional cursed princess, Ozzie has to find a way to repair his door… and possibly save the multiverse in the process.

Brimming with colorful characters, magical mayhem, and endless adventure, this new tween series has a doorway for every reader—just be sure to close the door behind you!

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Adventure, Fiction

349 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2019

About the author

Lee Edward Födi is a children's author, illustrator, and educator—or, as he likes to think of himself, a daydreaming specialist.

He is the author of several books for children including Spell Sweeper, The Secret of Zoone, The Guardians of Zoone (HarperCollins Children's Books), and the The Chronicles of Kendra Kandlestar (Simply Read Books).

He has also illustrated several picture books for other authors, including The Chocolatier's Apprentice (a national bestseller) and I'll Follow the Moon.

He is a co-founder of the Creative Writing for Children Society (CWC), a not-for-profit program that helps kids write their own books. He has the joy of leading workshops for kids in Canada, the US, Korea, China, Thailand, and other places here and there.

He enjoys mythology, history, and the mysteries of the universe. During his free time, he is a traveller, adventurer, and builder of dragon eggs. He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Marcie, and his son, Hiro.

Reviews

[Fleur Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a magical adventure... I loved the characters in this middle-grade, and the fantasy world is incredibly rich, just sweeping you away as a reader. From the blue winged tiger to the wizards, this is MG fantasy at its best.

Readers of Rick Riordan and Lisa McMann will love this series. I was glad to see there's already a next book...

[Tanya Kyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret of Zoone is a magical romp through a universe – a multiverse, actually – of unique characters and surprising plot twists. As Ozzie tries to get the magical door to earth re-opened, so he can reconnect with his lost aunt, there is plenty of tension. But there's also a ton of fun on every page. This book will make you want to pack your feathered hat and set forth for distant worlds.

[Ev N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why isn't this kid investigating more doors? Oh right. I have to be patient for the next books in the trilogy. Dang it! Love Tug the Skyger and all of Ozzie's new friends and mentors. More please!

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mysterious door in the basement of an apartment building, a blue tiger with wings, and a extra creepy landlord are the first signs that Ozzie is in for an adventure. He finds himself in the land of Zoone, which is a station with many different doors that lead to a number of unique worlds. But Ozzie learns the door back to Earth is broken, and he desperately wants to go home to see his aunt (she knows about Zoone but has never mentioned it to him, and he wonders why). But there is trouble brewing in Zoone, and Ozzie needs to figure out who he can trust to save not only himself, but the multiverse, too.

I anxiously awaited this book because I follow the author on social media and I love his creative ideas. The Secret of Zoone has some of the most detailed world-building I've found in middle grade fiction for a while, with fascinating characters and imaginative places. I was invested in the story and wanted to continue reading to see what was going to happen to Ozzie and his friends, and I was delighted to hear that this is the first book in a series. Kids who like fantasy, travelling to new worlds, and figuring out which characters are not who they seem will love this book.

[shannon crozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8 year old daughter devoured this book over the summer (she is generally reading 5-7th grade level books). She LOVED it! She said it was magical and exciting. She said there was a lot of action that carries through the whole book. She loved the world of Zoone so much that she created a costume for Halloween to go as Fidget, the princess with inappropriately purple hair. She can hardly wait for the sequel

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this author speak earlier this year about plotting and pacing stories at WriteOnCon, a writing conference for kid lit authors, and picked this up after his talk, "Why I Hate Breakfast, or Some Tips for Developing and Structuring Scenes in Your Novel."

I don't know how this slipped under my radar, but it's a great, fast-paced read, non-stop action with not a single whiff of breakfast, anywhere!

Ozzie is stuck living with his Aunt Temperance in her cramped, dingy apartment while his parents galavant around the globe for their jobs. Without him.

A strange woman, Lady Zoone, comes to visit his Aunt, right after he discovers a strange door in the basement near the super's apartment. It opens to a brick wall, no where. But the woman visitor insists the door's been opened, and interrogates his Aunt about it. Later, Ozzie catches his Aunt checking on the key, hidden in a hollowed out book on a shelf in the kitchen.

When a blue tiger named Tug who speaks shows up the next time, sprawled on the couch, and states he can't go home unless Ozzie uses the key, that's exactly what they do -- and the grumpy, crotchety old super tries unsuccessfully to stop them. The door whisks them off to Zoone, where Ozzie learns magic is fading on Earth. Unfortunatley, the door smashes and breaks behind Ozzie, and there are no more doors available to go back to his poor, depressed Aunt.

But wait -- there's more. Ozzies' arrived just in time for the 11th annual Wizard's convention, and he becomes a porter, taking luggage of the wizard travelers to Zoone for the convention. He meets Salmanda, a wizard's apprentice on whom he has a very noticeable crush, and Fidget, who arrives and creepy crawlies instantly form around her, whenever she gets wet.

It's all quite odd, but then Ozzie gets the idea to ask the wizards for a new door to Earth, and Salamanda insinuates that Fidget is the evil wizard Crogus' rogue apprentice, here to take over Zoone. She sends Ozzie, Tug and Fidget through door 89, which leads, of all places, to Crogus' home planet and a whole lot of trouble!

I won't reaveal the ending, or how or even whether Ozzie ever gets back home. But it was great to read an author who practices what he preaches, and exceptionally well. This will keep middle grade readers riveted, and I, for one, intend on purchasing it to use as a mentor text. Bravo!

Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?

Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/

[Destiny Bridwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. First off I have to say just how cute and sweet and adventurous this book is. I did not read a lot of books as a child about portals. But I wish this book had been around when I was that age. I have to say that Tug the skyger is my favorite character. What is not to like. He is a winged blue tiger. The station with all of the door was just amazing and detail made it feel like I was right there. I know this book does not come out for a long while yet, but I am so ready for the next one in the series. There are a lot of crazy and amazing characters, locations, and twists that just make you want to keep turning the pages. So grab a copy of this wondrous book once it comes out. 

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am glad I had the chance to read such a book which had wonderful imagery and humor. The author gave the audience a feeling of being wanted by others and loved. This book will give children of all ages a sense of being a team and finding one's place in the world. All of the characters had a major part in the story in dealing with deceit, love, friendship, doubt, and revenge. I especially liked Tug, who showed others the meaning of living and being accepted by others, no mater where they are from. The main character, Ozzie, never gave up and showed true patience throughout the story. Sometimes, one needs to be in true darkness, to notice that tiny spark of faith and belief in one's self.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ozzie loves his Aunt, but her cramped apartment, along with his lack of friends and parents that are always travelling, are starting to stifle him - until he ends up trapped in the middle of a magical multiverse, where he must team up with a winged tyger and cursed princess to stop a wicked evil from taking over! Födi will keep readers entertained with every page of this humorous and charming adventure full of strange worlds and colourful characters. Can Ozzie figure out all the odd rules and ways of Zoone before he ends up as another victim of evil magic?

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endless amounts of fun, with the most endearing animal sidekick you've ever seen, I promise. We've all read portal fantasies before, and this one drew me in because it builds on that formula in the most creative and colorful way, landing readers in a bustling station at the center of the multiverse, where travelers come and go between hundreds of magical worlds. Once you've seen one, you'll want to visit even more of them! :)

[Whitney Godinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. My 9 year old and I both really enjoyed it. Ozzie and his pals go through quite the adventure. Reminds me a little of the wizard of oz as Ozzie is trying to get back home and growing as a person in a far away and magical land.

[K.A. Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun new middle-grade portal fantasy!

The whole escape-through-the-basement scene had me thinking of Suzanne Collins's Gregor and the Overlanders, but it's more magical and whimsical fantasy than dark action fantasy. Detailed and imaginative descriptions, wacky but well-developed characterization, and an exciting plot with dramatic challenges and villains make this a series to watch for sure. I also liked that there was a bit of mystery, with teases, twists, and misdirects that I didn't immediately see through. This strikes a great balance between a humorous narrative voice and action-oriented forward momentum in the plot.

[Maggie Maxfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quincy picked this from the "New Book" library shelf, and I inwardly groaned because its title sounded ominously like a book I didn't really enjoy, "The Secret Zoo." But guess what? It was a blast to read aloud. It's the kind of book that one wishes were accompanied by illustrations and maps on the inside cover. I didn't think my kindergartner would have the attention span for all 30 chapters or the ability to grasp the themes and plot tie-ins that were hundreds of pages apart, but she totally fell in love with the characters (even when I thought they could have used a little more depth) and cheered for them the whole way. We will be looking for a sequel, unlike "The Secret Zoo" sequel that I surreptitiously returned to the library. Twice.

[Jasper Shifflett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the world of Zoone, so much. The ending had me fighting tears and the world has a good selection of complex characters that stood out from the crowd. Action scenes are exciting and flow well, and I'm looking forward to the full chaotic potential that a flying tiger deserves. The 2nd is on my to-be-read list and I can't wait to see more adventures from behind the doors!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ozzie travels to Zoone through a secret door and finds a group of friends. A skyger named Tug, a purple haired princess (Fidget), and a wizard's apprentice (Salamanda). Can they save Zoone and the Multiverse or is one of them the spy the are looking for?

I received a copy of the book.

[Lisa Kizer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than having pages 220 to 248 out of consecutive order this book was really good. Picked it up to do ARR for my public school library and was not disappointed. You should try it.

[Rae Anne Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret of Zoone isn't a bad story. It's a little cutesy but it did leave me guessing as to who the bad guy was, so all in all it was quite a good story.

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was really good,i loved it and the realization moments

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting an original tale! Looking forward to many more in the series!

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fantasy for middle grades! Lots in here to keep kids and kids at heart turning pages. Mr. Födi has fun with words and whether it is the hunt for the Glibberspy or another preposasterous situation it really shows. Looking forward to book 2 already!

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read.

[Heather Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8-year-old and I loved it! Our favorite character was Tug.

[Parisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventurous, mysterious and magical

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read.

[Ellie Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello fellow readers! The Secret Of Zoone is the one of the BEST books I’ve read this month!!! The main characters are Ozzie from Eridea ( the word that Zoonians use for Earth ) Tug the wingless skyger, and a Quoxxian princess named Fidget. When Ozzie finds Tug on his aunt’s couch,he knows he is in for an adventure. Ozzie and Tug go through a door in the basement that has a N hanging from a rusty nail and... it leads to a place called Zoone!!! But behind Ozzie,the door back to Eridea collapses! Ozzie knows that he just has started an adventure he did NOT bargain for. The multiverse is dangerous. Ozzie wants to stay in Zoone with his friends, but he misses Aunt Temperance a lot. Will Ozzie stay in Zoone or will he go back to Eridea? Read and find out!!!

Remember, be a awesome book reader!!!!! 🐅👑🚪🗝🛋

[Jill Covyeou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in an effort to get my son to read something other than a comic book! I read it with him and we had a competition to see who could finish it first. To my surprise, it worked! He really got into the story, and he would ask for my daily update so we could talk about what was happening. Not only did this book get him reading something a little more challenging, but it also showed him that he enjoyed fantasy and should read those more challenging books. We've already read the second book and can't wait to see if there's a third!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far this is an amazing book that both my son and my husband are loving....

[Tanya Packer #noAI · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the world and characters!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ozzie has a rather drab and boring life with his Aunt Temperance while his parents are off on global adventures. When a strange woman visits Aunt Tempie and invites her to come back to an intriguing place called Zoone, and then a big blue skyger named Tug comes to take him there, Ozzie is more than ready. Aunt Tempie was supposed to come too, but she's gone into a bit of depression and won't move. Ozzie is hoping someone in Zoone can help. But the building janitor, Mr. Crudge, tries to follow Ozzie and Tug, and the door breaks on their way into Zoone. Ozzie is hoping the group of wizards coming to Zoone for a meeting will be able to help fix his door, Tug hopes they can fix his stunted wings, and their new friend Fidget hopes they can fix her curse. But the wizards are much more absorbed with the rumors of the evil wizard Crogus having escaped his prison and showing up in Zoone with an apprentice. If the evil wizard got ahold of Zoone, the hub of the multiverse, there's no end to the trouble he could cause.

An imaginative world with memorable characters facing various challenges makes this an enjoyable fantasy portal adventure. Ozzie is one of those kids who thrives in a foreign place with new chances at friendship. The mystery of where Crogus is and who his apprentice is was done just well enough to keep readers guessing. I figured it out about halfway through, and there are clues for you to do so. Ozzie is just a bit slow on the uptake at times. Fidget was my favorite character; she's a runaway princess with an interesting curse on her. And then there's the super sweet Tug everyone is sure to love. This one wrapped up well enough I don't feel a deep need to go hunting for book 2, but if I come across it, I will gladly read it.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There are some perilous circumstances and some non-sentient fantasy creatures trying to attack are dispatched (not really described much).
Ethnic diversity: Ozzie appears to be white. Other characters are not from Earth.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: The bad guys want to use magic for evil, but they are mostly thwarted.

[jess (bibliophilicjester) · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh? most of this book was really fun, but ozzie completely missed The Most Obvious Thing and UGH it really frustrated me. BUT i loved ozzie's genuine friendship with his aunt temperance! really endearing. even when he finds his door (if you will), he's constantly thinking about her and feeling bad she was left behind and hoping she's okay and actively trying to find a way back. even when he's on this great adventure. i really hope she ends up going with him in the next book = )

i loved zoone itself and the idea of it being a kind of hub. and it had the feel of the train to impossible places, where our hero is just sort of thrown into it by making them work haha. i liked how ozzie started analyzing people based on their luggage - like how the people with worn out old luggage had the best stories to tell. lady zoone was also fabulous; after that casual mention of how she used to be somewhat of a wanderer, i'd def read her backstory as a prequel haha.

ultimately, ozzie just spent too much time trying to get the pretty girl to like him, which is a mundane and distracting thing when you're in it for the adventure! focus, kid. i thought he took tug's friendship and loyalty a bit for granted most of the time, and it bothered me as well. every time tug was like, we're a team! ozzie didn't even respond. tug is very tigger-esque, and i wanted to give him a hug. half the joy of mg is the animal companions, i think, lol. since i saw the sequel for $6 and thought that was too much, i think that means it's more of a 2.75 for me. i'd definitely read the sequel!! but i'm not going to go out of my way to spend full price on it or anything.

it's probably important to note that i'm an adult, and likely the target age group won't read into it as much as i did and just enjoy the adventure. i'm just a bit romance-averse, and i don't love when it shows up unexpectedly in my mg adventures.