Shop Other Formats
Description
Home Alone meets A Night in the Museum in this clever middle-grade heist story by USA Today bestselling author Jenni L. Walsh. When a science-loving girl and her friends overhear a plot to rob her dad's insectarium, they embark on a mission to stop the burglary of the museum's rarest insects. Inspired by true events, this STEM-based adventure is perfect for fans of hijinks and mysteries.
Without a mom and with her dad busy running the museum, Liberty Jacobs was practically raised by the tarantulas, leopard geckos, and rare butterflies of the Walnut Street Insectarium. She loves being the resident "Bug Girl," but unless Liberty and her dad can snag a big investor, they'll lose the museum, their home, and the funding Liberty needs to launch her dream business: a butterfly release program called Life & Liberty.
The investor meeting is a week away, but there's a big problem: Liberty has reason to suspect there's going to be a "buglary" of the museum's rarest animals. But the police don't believe her, and with Dad out of town for an insect convention, it's up to Liberty and her friends (and her vast knowledge of bug defense mechanisms) to thwart the thieves and save the museum.
The Bug Bandits is:
- perfect for readers ages 8 and up who love mystery and suspense
- An empowering story of adventure, friendship, and courage
- Ideal for fans of Blue Balliett, James Ponti, and Deron Hicks
Product Details
| Publisher | Zonderkidz |
| Publish Date | May 06, 2025 |
| Pages | 224 |
| Language | English |
| Type |  Hardback |
| EAN/UPC | 9780310167921 |
| Dimensions | 8.5 X 5.4 X 0.9 inches | 0.7 pounds |
About the Author
Jenni L. Walsh worked for a decade enticing readers as an award-winning advertising copywriter before becoming an author. Her passion lies in transporting readers to another world, be it in historical or contemporary settings. She is a proud graduate of Villanova University, and lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with her husband, daughter, son, and various pets.
Jenni is the USA TODAY bestselling author of historical novels Becoming Bonnie, Side by Side, A Betting Woman, The Call of the Wrens, Unsinkable, and Ace, Marvel, Spy. She also writes books for children, including the nonfiction She Dared series and historical novels Hettie and the London Blitz, I Am Defiance, By the Light of Fireflies, Over and Out, and Operation: Happy. To learn more about Jenni and her books, please visit jennilwalsh.com or @jennilwalsh on social media.
Reviews
Insect lovers will be drawn in from the beginning, but those searching for mystery have to read longer to enjoy this creepy-crawly detective story.--Booklist
Kids join forces to protect the denizens of Philadelphia's Walnut Street Insectarium from thieves and financial ruin...The trio draws inspiration from Home Alone, and the story offers plenty of suspects to consider...The young crime stoppers' escapades will hold readers' interest.--Kirkus Reviews
Liberty has a special love for animals with six or eight legs and she'll do anything to save her father's insect museum...Chapters count down the days remaining until the father meets with potential investors [and] a mystery evolves as the date of the investor meeting gets closer...young readers will enjoy unlocking the clues along with the characters. The book will surely appeal to bug lovers but I recommend you give it a shot too!--YA Books Central
The Bug Bandits hits all the right notes for middle grade readers! Spectacular writing, an engaging mystery, hijinks and Home Alone vibes, and plenty of unique insectarium details make this book a must-buy!--Lindsay Currie, New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Locked Rooms
Earn by promoting books
