I am a big fan of Lynne Jonell–she has the ability to write and develop interesting, clear characters and exciting action.  And this book, The Secret of Zoom, is no different.  Christina is very protected, not allowed outside and especially not to talk to any strangers who may show up at their house.  Her mother had been killed in an accident and her eccentric scientist father doesn’t want to take any chances in losing her, too.  However, as you may have guessed, a smart, bored, lonely child will find a way out and find what secrets her father is protecting her from.  Christina meets an orphan boy, Taft, on her adventures, and together they are able to spy on Lenny Loompski’s mines and why her father is so terrified of him.  The children from the orphanage, those who can sing well, are taken to the mines to use their voices to release the ‘zoom’ –the most valuable and dangerous of all substances.  Loompski thinks nothing of risking the children’s lives in order to get more zoom.  Christina and Taft are very heroic as they work in rescuing the orphans.  This book has a little bit for everyone.  Librarians should add this as a first purchase to their collections.