Middle grade paranormal-mystery adventure for ages 9-13 (grades 4-8) featuring STEM integration, diverse problem-solving approaches, and strong curriculum tie-in potential.

The Story: When 13-year-old naturalist Felix discovers orphans transforming into wood-eating zombies at Wayward Amok Orphanage, he must partner with Ninja, a shadow-dwelling loner who outsmarts bullies and trusts no one, to investigate a deliberate plague threatening their island town of Spinachi.

Felix, a precise observer who prefers documenting life from his tree fort, and Ninja, an instinct-driven tactical thinker, form an unlikely investigative team to trace the source of mysterious bioluminescent goo contaminating their town's water supply. Their research reveals the zombie outbreak was deliberately released. With their eccentric mentor Doc Brunne compromised and Spinachi's wooden infrastructure collapsing under zombie assault, the duo must combine Felix's scientific methodology with Ninja's spy craft to identify the saboteur and deploy a cure before the plague consumes their entire island.

Themes & Educational Value: Themes include unlikely friendship, trust-building across differences, scientific investigation, and finding courage to act beyond one's comfort zone. The narrative naturally integrates STEAM concepts—biology, chemistry, bioluminescence, observation methodology, and problem-solving—within a fast-paced mystery structure that never feels didactic. Felix and Ninja's partnership models effective collaboration between different problem-solving approaches (data-driven vs. instinct-based) and celebrates diverse thinking styles. *Ideal for STEM/STEAM curriculum connections, maker programs, and science-focused collection development.

Reader Appeal: Fast-paced chapters, age-appropriate creepy elements, and gross-out humor (wood-eating zombies, green goo) engage reluctant readers while the mystery structure and friendship development offer substance for classroom discussion. Suitable for independent reading, book clubs, and STEM curriculum connections.

Comparable to: Max Brallier's Last Kids on Earth (zombie adventure with humor) and B.B. Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers (supernatural mystery investigation and unlikely partnerships).

Series & Support: ZOMBIE ZOO is Book 1 of a planned 5-book series featuring standalone mysteries, each exploring different STEAM disciplines. Comprehensive educator support materials include printable maps, puzzles, STEM activity worksheets, discussion guides, virtual author visit availability, and programming resources for school and public libraries.

Content notes: Non-graphic zombie peril, orphan protagonists, age-appropriate adventure violence balanced with humor.