Ghost Leopard was a brilliant book for both children and adults. Not only was it a story about Zoe and Zak’s quest to save the Ghost Leopard but also it was was very educational telling the reader interesting facts about India.

The story starts off when Zoe goes to India with her mother as she has meeting there. The get to the hotel and Zoe learns that Zak the annoying boy from school is there too because his dad works with Zoe’s mom.
Zak is very much a boy that does things without thinking of the consequences and when Zoe is asked to keep an eye on him because his is going through some issues at the moment he leads her onto a plane and in another Indian town near the mountains. That is where the adventure begins.

The book is full of adventure, magic and fact. It is a great book and very well written and researched. ( )

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Zoe Guire accompanies her mother on her business trip to India. When they arrive, she sees that Zak, a boy she considers a nuisance at school, has accompanied his dad on the trip. The parents both have to take off for a few days and leave them behind and together. Zak’s mischief puts them on an amazing adventure, while they try to figure out why they see all of these crazy things.

This was a fun read. This book was like a kid’s version of Indiana Jones. It’s also very educational as Zoe tells you real facts about what she sees and the history. I enjoyed it immensely. If you have a 10-12 year old child that loves adventure books, this is definitely a must read.
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(This review can be found on my blog The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl).


This title has the honor of being my first audiobook review! Luckily, it was a positive experience due to this book being an interesting one. In fact, this book reminded me of the Indiana Jones series but for children.

I think the title is a fantastic one when it comes to a middle grade read. The whole "ghost leopard" bit definitely piqued my interest, and I think it will definitely catch the attention of middle graders and possibly younger kids.

For a children's book, the cover is very eye catching! The colors will definitely attract the wandering eye of children.

I think the world building, when it comes to a middle grade book, is quite believable. As an adult, I know the adventures of Zoe and Zak would never happen due to concerned adults, but the author sets his story up where it's believable to children. The setting of India is done really well! I've never been to India, but it's what I'd imagine India to be.

The pacing is spot on! From the beginning, you're anticipating what is going to happen next, and while, the adventure doesn't start until about chapter 4 or so, you can't help but be drawn in.

The plot should appeal to children and adults alike. Zoe and Zak seem to find an adventure at every turn. They must find a way to save themselves as well as the world which would seem to be a difficult task as an adult, let alone as two sixth graders.

The characters are written well. One thing I did notice was that sometimes Zoe seemed to act much older than her 11 years. Also, I do find Zoe to be too much of a goody goody and a bit of a scaredy cat. However, as the story progresses, Zoe becomes more brave and willing to take risks. I really enjoyed Zak's mischievous nature. Zak had me laughing a lot throughout the book!

As for the dialogue, there were a few words and phrases that Zoe uses that make her sound more like someone in high school or older. Luckily, this is a rare occurrence. One thing that did bother me was that Zoe was say something and explain how she knew it which made me feel as if she was talking down to the reader. For example, in once scene, she says she heard a click from the door being opened. She says she knows this because she's used a key card reader or something to that effect. Basically, there was no need to explain why. Otherwise, the dialogue flows smoothly and works for a middle grade read. There's no swearing either although there are mentions of butts and poop which should definitely appeal to boys the most!

As for Bailey S. Carlson, the narrator, I felt that she did a good job overall. I did find her voicing of Zak to be a bit too nasally at first. Luckily, as the story goes on, Zak's voice quits being so nasally. I also had difficulty when it came to whether Zoe or her mother was talking since Carlson seems to use the same voice for them both. Also, when it came to doing an Indian accent for the nanny, she goes from doing an Indian accent to her original one and then back to Indian again. Saying that, she does a fantastic job at voicing the other Indian character. The overall narration is great though.

Overall, Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard by Lars Guignard is a very attention grabbing and interesting book that will have children (and some adults) wanting more. Luckily this book is part of a series, and this is the first one!

I'd recommend this book for those aged 8 who want to go on a fantastical action adventure!


(I received a free audiobook of this title from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review). ( )

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The best part of Middle Grade fiction is all the adventure that's packed into it! Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard is not exception to this rule. Rich with Indian culture, vivid descriptions and exciting moments, this a book that will be sure to enchant readers of all ages. Whether you're 8 or 80, if you like action you'll love this book!

Zoe and Zak are like night and day. Zoe follows rules and questions everything. Even when magic is right in front of her, it still takes her some time to come to terms with it. Zak, on the other hand, is impulsive and takes everything in stride. Life is an adventure to him. It's probably obvious that these two don't stat out the best of friends. However as the story progresses, and their friendship grows, it's easy to see why they compliment one another. Add in some wonderful supporting characters who, in all honesty, are just as richly built and you have a book that is easy to fall into.

Still, in case you're not a character driven reader, I'll let you know that the setting and the plot are just as well done. India comes to life on the pages and it's easy to see that Lars Guignard has done his research. From bustling cities, to high, snowy mountains, Zoe and Zak visit some amazing places in their quest for the ghost leopard. The action moves along quickly and, before you know it, the final battle is on. I was pleasantly surprised with how Guignard didn't find the need to sugarcoat things for readers. It adds to the appeal for older readers.

I'll admit that it took me a while to fall in love with Zak. He's a bit overbearing for about the first 20% of the book. However once I fell in step with him and Zoe, I was lost in the story. If you have a reader at home who loves action and adventure, or if you're that reader yourself, give this one a try! ( )

When 11-year-old Zoe Guire arrives in India on a brief sojourn with her mom, she has no idea what is in store for her. She also has no idea that she possesses hidden powers. Upon their arrival, Zoe discovers (to her mild annoyance) that Zak Merril, a boy she knows from school, is also there with his dad, who is Zoe’s mom’s colleague. Events take a strange turn and both Zoe’s mom and Zak’s dad have to leave to sort out a few things. Ostensibly, Zak and Zoe will remain at the Delhi Grand Palace hotel under the supervision of a babysitter. But that’s not the way things happen at all. Within a short space of time, Zoe and Zak have encountered a definitely no-good character called Frank Berger, found an antique map, sneaked into Berger’s hotel room, hidden away in an old trunk, and then been transported to a strange place, miles from their nice, safe hotel. Plunged into an adventure involving a talking elephant, unusual local characters, and lots of danger, thrills, and spills, Zoe and Zak must stay alive and protect a mythical creature called the Ghost Leopard. It doesn’t help that Zoe keeps having really scary dreams as well.

This is adventure with a capital ‘A’ and the kind that middle grade readers will love. Although the book does have a slow start, soon Zoe and Zak are neck-deep in sinister people, events, and possible Very Bad Outcomes. The author does a fine job of painting the picture of India, from the ambiance, to the people, to the various cultural references. This places the young reader slap bang in the new and sometimes fantastical environment. India is full of amazing legends and fantasy elements and the author has used these to great advantage. Zoe and Zak see the ‘real’ India that tourists don’t encounter, and this is absolutely one of the high points of the story. While there is sometimes too much information, and it can slow down the pace, I think young readers will breathe in the ambiance with relish. Fantasy merges with reality in the author’s capable hands with descriptions to take young readers as high as the magic carpet they encounter. Zak is as ‘supermega majorly’ annoying as any sixth-grade boy can be and he provides many chuckles with his clumsy efforts to manage things. Zoe is intense, thoughtful, and takes things more seriously. I enjoyed the balance between the two characters and kids will certainly relate to them. This is an action-packed, magical adventure with enough excitement and peril to keep young readers glued to the pages. This is the first of Zoe and Zak’s adventures so young fans can look forward to more fantastical events. ( )