★★★★★ 5
Engaging and Different!
Format: Hardcover
Looking for a new kid's author to try now that Harry Potter has retired to a quiet life out of the spotlight? Try Stuart Gibbs. His first novel, Belly Up, is an engaging mix of mystery, humor, and adventure (as well as lots of trivia about the animal kingdom ranging from the fascinating to the . . . well, I'll let you read the book!) The story takes place at FunJungle, a huge new zoo/amusement park filled with many colorful characters. When the not-so-loveable mascot of the park, Henry the Hippo, turns up (literally) dead one day, only 12-year old Teddy, the son of two zoo employees, recognizes that this was no random event and begins his investigation only to find himself a target.
The book is perfect for the 5th-8th grade crowd (although very enjoyable for us grown-ups who haven't quite grown up yet and still love well-crafted young adult titles). I'll definitely be following his next book (not a sequel to this but an adventure based on the Three Musketeers when they were younger) which looks like will be available this fall.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2011
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