Eleven year old Zoe Guire has tagged along on her mother’s business trip. India sounds exciting and there’ll be things to do there. As we’re introduced to her, we discover she is actually writing her memoir. Apparently, India is exciting and she has much to tell us.
Initially, Zoe’s plan is to take pictures for a school contest while her mom, who works for the State Department, attends conferences. Unknowingly to Zoe, classmate Zak, who’s Dad works with her mom, has also be brought along to India. Paired up to chaperone each other, Zak and Zoe become better acquainted.
Having to leave the duo with a nanny, the two parents are unexpectedly called away. This is where the real action begins.
Tomboy Zoe and risk taker Zak go for a swim. Overhearing a muscular man on the telephone, they piece together that he is looking for a leopard. When he leaves behind a clue of sorts, the two embark on an adventure to return in to him. However, nothing goes as planned. They end up lost. Searching for answers to the cryptic phone call and the mysterious leopard, they soon find themselves also trying to find a way home. Will Zoe & Zak find the answers they seek or will they end up on a permanent vacation while in India?
Normally, mystical YA fiction isn’t my choice genre. But, the characters in this book were just so cute. I found myself really enjoying it. Our author has a fabulous imagination and has the talent to put it onto paper. Zoe’s life in general is quite unique and I believe middle schoolers will get kick out of her antics. She’s a carefree spirit and her character is original in that she is the adopted daughter of a single mom who works for the government. That’s not your usual YA heroine.
All in all, it’s a fabulous work and unique enough to make an impact in the YA market. Definitely a 5 of 5 star novel. I received 1 eBook to write my review without further compensation. All opinions are mine.
