#tbt: Belly Up: Murder at FunJungle by Stuart Gibbs

Image: Simon & Schuster

Belly Up: Murder at FunJungle by Stuart Gibbs. 304 p. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, May, 2010. 9781416987314.

Stuart Gibbs made his debut in 2010 with his first FunJungle book, Belly Up, featuring one of the coolest covers around. He followed this up with The Last Musketeer in 2011. 2012 brought us Spy School and a sequel to The Last Musketeer called Traitor's Chase. In 2013, Spy Camp was released, and then he published 1 - 3 books per year, totaling 41 books by October of this year. There are 9 FunJungle books, with #10 releasing in March (see Waiting on Wednesday); 13 Spy School books, 3 Space Case books, 4 Once Upon a Tim books, 4 Charlie Thorne books, 4 Spy School graphic novel adaptations, 1 graphic novel adaptation of Space Case and 3 Last Musketeer books! Wowzers! Is there no end to this man's energy and creativity? (I hope not.) 

He must be very busy updating his colorful and instructive website as well. His FAQ page is hilarious and worth a read. It really does cover all the questions that students with author assignments might have; but I fear it's a futile attempt to stave off emails asking what he has already painstakingly covered on his website. 

The Spy School series is slightly more popular with my middle school students, but the FunJungle series holds its own and the Space Case books were loved enough to require replacement. Mr. Gibbs' books take up a lot of library shelf real estate, and those shelves are only full twice a year- at the beginning and at the end. I'm pretty sure I posted a pic either here or on my socials. It's a fantastic problem to have as a librarian. I'm retired now, but still love to read books for younger readers, especially those by authors I love. 

Keep them coming, Stuart Gibbs! 

 

Waiting on Wednesday: Ape Escape by Stuart Gibbs

Image: Simon & Schuster

Ape Escape by Stuart Gibbs. 320 p. FunJungle #10. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, March 24, 2026. 9781665986779.

I discovered this news when I went to Simon & Schuster's website for my Monday post! I need to remember to read it with my eyes! While I have started reading more fiction and nonfiction for adults, I will continue to read for young people, especially when favorite authors have new publications. I love this cover. Ape Escape is due on March 24, 2026. 

Publisher synopsis: In the tenth novel in New York Times bestselling author Stuart Gibbs’s FunJungle series, super sleuth Teddy Fitzroy is on the case to rescue an abducted young gorilla!

When a baby gorilla is stolen from an orphanage in Rwanda, Teddy, his parents, and an old family friend find themselves in a race against time to save it. Teddy has to piece together clues to figure out where the little ape is being taken while traveling through some of the most incredible—and dangerous—terrain in the world.

At the same time, he’s long-distance consulting with Summer to help solve another mystery back at FunJungle. Between facing down lions on the Serengeti and chasing poachers through the bazaars of Zanzibar, will Teddy be able to find the baby gorilla before it’s too late?

Teen Tuesday: I am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew

Image: Scholastic Inc.

I am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew. 368 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., March, 2025. 9781546104483. Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.

Teen Tuesday features I am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew.

Thomas Walsh has been working odd jobs ever since having to leave college to support his chronically ill, deaf mother. He interviews for a job with a wealthy businessman as an ASL interpreter for his daughter. The job is a good distance away, but the pay would go a long way towards helping the family financially. 

Vivienne has been mute since her disappearance at age four which left her traumatized. What most people don't know is that she is possessed and if she does speak, anyone who hears her voice dies. Of course, Thomas does not know this. Her parents are controlling and keep her on a short leash and Vivienne is determined to make Thomas' job difficult. 

This horror/ romance hits the ground running and doesn't let up! Chapters switch point of view between Thomas and Vivienne breathlessly. Tension is high throughout this page-turner and is sure to please high school fans of horror with a side of romance. 

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: All Ears by Stuart Gibbs

Image: Simon & Schuster

All Ears by Stuart Gibbs. FunJungle #9. Unabridged e-audio, ~8 hours. Read by Gibson Frazier. Simon & Schuster Audio, May, 2025. 9781668134696. Review of audiobook borrowed from pubic library.

Middle Grade Monday features All Ears by Stuart Gibbs. This ninth installment does not disappoint. Teddy Fitzroy and his father have been called to investigate an elephant that went missing from a nearby ranch. While there, Teddy receives a call from his best friend, Xavier, who was arrested for trespassing and vandalism on a construction site. His loyalty is divided. His best friend is understandably upset and wants him to come immediately, but he needs to look for clues while they are still fresh. This causes some friction between the two.

As usual, Gibbs weaves a environmental themes (habitat loss, big-game hunting) in with plenty of suspense as well as humor. These plot-driven mysteries remain fresh and fun. 

I had forgotten my promise not to read these with my ears. The narrator is serviceable, but this first-person narrative is told by a teenager, and the voice in my ears is clearly adult.

Middle Grade Monday: One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Image: Scholastic Inc.

One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielsen. 336 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc. March, 2025. 9781338275865. Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher. 

Middle Grade Monday features One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielsen. For the last three years, it has been just Atlas and his dad. His dad is a map-maker and mountaineer and the two have been climbing together for most of Atlas' life. In fact, they were away climbing when Atlas' mother died, something Atlas can't quite forgive his father for. 

In 1939, Atlas and his father join an expedition to Mount Everest. Atlas has brought along a scarf his mother knit for him, hoping to place it at the top of the world and also hoping to find some peace. His hopes are dashed when he's informed that he's not going to leave advance base camp. The organizer of the trip was not happy that he's tagging along and puts his foot down.

When Atlas sees an avalanche near where the climbing party would be and then loses radio contact with them, he decides to mount a rescue. How can he, a sherpa and the inexperienced daughter of a researcher scale the most dangerous part of Mount Everest? 

Major suspension of belief is required here, but the intended audience will buy in. Each chapter begins with a mountaineering definition and a map showing where Atlas is. The chapters are short and suspenseful. 

Fans of Ms. Nielsen's books will not be disappointed.

Waiting on Wednesday: Strays by Gia Gordon

Image: Macmillan

Strays by Gia Gordon. 272 p. Farrar, Straus & Giroux/ Macmillan, June 2, 2026. 9780374395926.

I am such a sucker for dog books and can't wait to read this.

Publisher synopsis: A girl learns the true meaning of home after forming a life-changing relationship with a stray dog in this irresistibly endearing middle-grade novel, reminiscent of beloved and bestselling stories like Wish, Pax, and Because of Winn-Dixie.

Campbell Cole has a big heart for all living things, especially strays. It might be because her father, the director of the local animal control, is as aloof as they come, so Campbell knows what it’s like to feel alone.

When she spots an adorable dog being dumped on the street, the last thing Campbell can do is tell her dad. He might take the pup straight to the shelter, where new rescues have just three days to be adopted. The only person she can trust with the truth is her best friend, Luz.

The more time Campbell spends trying to catch the dog, the more he starts to trust her, which is both great and terrible because Campbell knows she can’t keep him. But perhaps she doesn’t have to. With the help of Luz’s father, an army vet grappling with PTSD, she just may find a solution that benefits not only the dog, but everyone else, too.

Gia Gordon’s Strays is a beautifully written, heartfelt novel about friendship, family, and finding the courage to stand up for what’s right, that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to find a place to call home.

ARC Review: War Games by Alan Gratz

Image: Scholastic Inc.

War Games by Alan Gratz. 368 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., October 7, 2025. 978225000257. 

Any book by Alan Gratz was an automatic purchase for me until I retired as a middle school librarian recently. I continue to read books for middle and young adult audiences and will continue to read whatever Mr. Gratz publishes. My students adore his novels and I ordered multiple copies of most of his titles. 

Twelve-year-old Evie Harris hopes to help her "Okie" family out of poverty by winning gold in the 1936 Olympics in Germany as part of the U.S. Olympics gymnastics team. She thinks this is her ticket to Hollywood stardom, like her idol, equestrian and movie star, Mary Brooks. Unfortunately for her, her teammates ostracize her and she fails the qualifying rounds. Since her Olympic dreams are dashed, she considers joining the shady Solomon Monday with his plans to rob the Reichsbank of its gold. As Monday says, this is one way for Evie to bring home the gold. Only, she has to ditch the ever-present Hitler Youth guide, Heinz.

This layered, plot-driven heist novel illustrates the behind the scenes story of the 1936 Olympics. The main characters are fictitious, as is the heist, but the political precariousness of those Olympics are factual. A detailed Author's Note separates fact from fiction for the reader. 

Fans of the author and fans of heist novels will gobble this up. Due out on October 7.