Zack's mom works in a dentist's office, and one day,  Zack opens a book in Dr. Charles' apartment where he is waiting for his mom to finish work.  A piece of brownish-yellow paper that appears old with ripped corners and rough edges, falls out.  As Zack picks it up, he is drawn to the words on the paper.  It is a rhyming pledge about someone dying, someone achieving fame, and someone staying the same.  He sticks the paper in his pocket to look at later.  Zack can't stop thinking about the strange poem, and when he investigates the title of the Pledge on the Internet he finds a web site with that title. Upon opening the site one sentence pops onto the screen, "You have been chosen!"

When Zack tells his friends about the strange Pledge, they decide, just for kicks to take the quaint Pledge. Strange things begin to happen that seem to indicate that the words of the Pledge are coming true. Zack always thought that he had complete control of his life, but now since his mother won the lottery, and other bizarre things are happening, he's not so sure. There is even some indication that the disappearance of Zack's father may be connected to the Pledge.

In this debut novel, Greg Andrew Smith weaves the plot of this fantasy/mystery into an exciting adventure with compelling characters who keep you guessing, and anxiously awaiting Book 2 of the Z. O. Chronicles.  I think Mr. Smith has definitely found his niche in the writing field.