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Gr 4-6–Walsh’s latest novel is an exciting middle grade caper with a unique twist: the adventure centers a potential bug heist. Liberty Jacobs is a young bug enthusiast who lives above her family’s insectarium in Philadelphia. Her love for bugs doesn’t exactly translate into her being the most popular girl in school, and her best—and only—friend has just moved away. The insectarium she loves is also facing financial woes. Still, Liberty remains hopeful about her role in the museum’s next chapter. When an unlikely friend arrives at the insectarium to help freshen up the space for possible investors, the adventure begins. Together, Liberty, her best friend (via FaceTime), and her new friend uncover a plan to rob the insectarium that is set to take place after closing time. The trio works together to figure out who would want to steal their insects. Inspired by the booby traps from the classic movie Home Alone, the trio hatch a plan to catch the crooks. Full of friendship, bug facts, adventure, and fun, this middle grade tale is also based on actual events. The mix of facts and fun will be sure to stick with readers for time to come.
VERDICT A buggy adventure with high jinks and teamwork galore, recommended for middle grade fiction collections.–Kelly Costanza The Bug Bandits is Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!
 “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.” Full review in April 1st edition of Kirkus Reviews Author of OPERATION: HAPPY Jenni L. Walsh's THE BUG BANDITS, a story pitched as inspired by true events—the heist of thousands of dollars' worth of rare insects from the Philadelphia Insectarium—in which a young girl and her friends must protect her father's museum from "buglars", using their knowledge of science and some HOME ALONE-type shenanigans, to Katherine Easter at Zonderkidz, for publication in 2025, by Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency (world).
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