The Zuzu Secret

By: Miriam Chernick

Published by Charlesbridge Publishing, 2026-05-05

<b>Now in paperback! 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.<br> <br>For fans of <i>Out of My Mind</i>, comes a heartfelt novel for kids ages 10 and up about sibling relationships, family struggles, disability, and getting what you want.</b><br><br>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.<br><br>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?<br><br>Told in alternating points of view, <i>The Zuzu Secret</i> 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.<br><br>"<i>The Zuzu Secret</i> is much more than a book about a young person with a disability. It is a realistic, warm, beautifully told story of growing love and responsibility between sister and brother."—Francisco X. Stork, author of <i>Marcelo in the Real World</i>