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Books › The Menagerie (Menagerie #1)

Cover of The Menagerie (Menagerie #1)

The Menagerie (Menagerie #1)

320 pages

A delightful, fast-paced romp through a secret sanctuary of mythical beasts, anchored by a heartwarming friendship.

What it feels like

Reading this book feels like stumbling upon a wondrous, closely guarded secret right in your own mundane neighborhood. It moves at a brisk, engaging clip, balancing the thrill of a magical mystery with the cozy, grounded stakes of middle school life. The atmosphere is steeped in wonder and playful suspense, inviting readers into a hidden sanctuary where mythical creatures are as real as the stray cat next door. The prose is snappy and accessible, driven by witty banter and the earnest, developing bond between two very different kids thrown together by circumstance. It is an absolute delight for young readers who crave creature-filled adventures, offering a warm, exciting journey about finding where you truly belong.

Mood
  • wonder-filled
  • secretive
  • cozy
  • exciting
Tone
  • earnest
  • humorous
  • adventurous
  • playful
Pace
brisk
Themes
unlikely friendships · hidden worlds · protecting the vulnerable · finding belonging
The writing
Snappy, accessible, and dialogue-driven, keeping the pages turning with effortless charm.
The arc
Moves from lonely bewilderment to the warm, thrilling realization of finding one's place and people.
Who it's for
Middle-grade readers who dream of discovering magical creatures in their own backyards and love a good friendship-driven mystery.
Content notes
  • mild animal peril
  • bullying

About the book

Logan Wilde is accidentally drawn into the mysterious, dangerous world of the Menagerie when he discovers a griffin hiding under his bed... and it leads him straight to the weirdest girl in seventh grade, Zoe Kahn.

Zoe is panicking. Her family has been guarding the Menagerie for centuries. If they don't get the cubs back fast, the whole place will be shut down. To save the griffins' lives, she's willing to break all the rules, even if it means letting an outsider like Logan help. But the real mystery remains: Is someone trying to sabotage the Menagerie?

Who let the griffins out...and why?

Description from Open Library.

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