Book Brunch (Ages 8-12) with Miriam Chernick: THE ZUZU SECRET

The Ivy is thrilled to join Absolute Thai-Sushi Restaurant at Kenilworth Mall to present its inaugural Book Brunch for 8-12-year-olds and their grown-ups!

On May 10, as a part of Kenilworth’s Mother’s Day Morning Celebration, enjoy a delicious brunch at Absolute Thai-Sushi alongside middle grade author Miriam Chernick. You’ll hear from her about her new book THE ZUZU SECRET, and then have a chance to ask questions and talk with her about what it’s like to be a writer. Kids’ meals will be themed around the book.

Click here for tickets!

• Each ticket includes 1 copy of the book. At least 1 ticket per party is required to attend.
• Brunch will be purchased off the menu at Absolute Thai-Sushi. Kids’ meals are themed around the book.

There’s so much to discuss in THE ZUZU SECRET:

• Josie, an aspiring vet, and her bearded dragon (and the author’s bearded dragon, who hangs out on her shoulder while she writes)
• Josie’s brother, Abe, who is a huge Orioles fan and lives with Prader-Willi syndrome
• Themes of truthfulness, independence, and family love!

Miriam Chernick is the author of The Zuzu Secret (2025), her debut novel for young readers. Previously she published A Kid’s Guide To Washington, D.C., Revised and Updated. She’s written articles for Highlights magazine, The Chronicle of Higher Education and Disney Family. She has also reviewed children’s theater for DCTheatreScene.com. When she’s not writing, Miriam is a substitute teacher in her local public schools, a parent to three young adults, and a caregiver for her brother, who was born with Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare disease. As a child of Canadian diplomats, she lived in France, Canada, Venezuela, Israel, and Washington, D.C. Miriam holds an undergraduate degree and two masters degrees, one in Asian studies from Yale University, which led to marketing jobs at Fortune 100 companies in New York and Tokyo, and one from the Vermont College of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Miriam loves animals and plants, Wheel of Fortune and Wordle, speaking Spanish, drinking French, and eating Japanese. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two clever cats, and Zuki—a bearded dragon—who hangs out on her shoulder as she writes.