
Member Reviews

This is such a great series! As an adult, I find it so entertaining and humorous. I love how readers are educated on an environmental/animal issue with each book. The characters are so real and likable. Looking forward to the next book!

I have long loved the Fun Jungle Series so I was thrilled to receive an ARC to read this before publication. Stuart Gibbs knocks it out of the park again. I love the balance between mystery, factual fiction, and solid characters. Having met Asian Elephants in person, I know that this book comes from a place of love and respect. Elephants are truly a wonderful species. May this book continue to inspire young readers and shine a light on the dangers elephants face and global warming.

Stuart Gibbs is on my instant & must buy list! This latest installment manages to be both informative and entertaining with a good mystery that keeps you guessing. I always appreciate that Gibbs infusing his research and experiences into his stories and even gives a 'how you can help' resource page for conservation efforts! The FunJungle series consistently appeals to both mystery fans and animal-lovers.

In 2011 I read “Belly Up” which would be the first in this, now 9 book series set in FunJungle – an amusement/wild animal attraction in Texas. Teddy Fitzroy lives on site as his parents work for the park and he always manages to solve mysteries that occur there.
When a herd of elephants escape a nearby elephant sanctuary and one of them goes missing, Teddy and his friend Summer are called in to locate him. But at the same time, his good friend Xavier is wrongfully arrested for vandalizing a construction site where he goes to look for pond critters and asks for Teddy’s help clearing him. Can Teddy put either crime aside to solve the other?
I liked the first book – even if the cranky hippo dies - and I have to honestly say I have not read the following stories. While the clue following keeps the pages turning in this book, I found the frequent referencing to shooting of wild animals for sport to be very disconcerting even if clearly written that it’s a despicable thing to do. I wish I could state if the other books deal with that topic, but I just don’t know. Know your reader and the age of your reader to determine if it’s a good match. Of course, on the other hand it’s an engrossing mystery while a good teaching message.

Love Stuart Gibbs and his FunJungle Series!
This latest contains so many talking points and humor simultaneously. The story begins with stealing precious deer urine from a nearby ranch. Right there, my interest was piqued. Happily, there are memorable characters from his previous books that make you feel right at home. Teddy, the savvy child detective, has been selected to discover an elephant poacher. The entertainment and suspense begin!
What's especially outstanding about this book was Gibbs's examination of everything elephant. In a subtle way, he teaches us about all aspects of elephants' habitats, and habits. I learned so much.
Teddy seems to be maturing from book to book which will delight readers who will be able to identify with him as he grows. Yet, no matter how old he becomes, it's guaranteed that he will always be dedicated to his craft and be lots of fun!

I love elephants and was so happy to be given the opportunity to read Mr. Gibbs' new FunJungle book.
This book takes place outside the walls of the zoo-theme park but is still just as fun. Teddy takes a case where someone is stealing deer urine from a ranch near FunJungle. That in turn leads to another job searching for a missing African elephant after a herd disrupts a high school football game. Unfortunately, the elephant has been stolen and no good can come of the reasons why. It becomes a race against the clock for Teddy to find the missing pachyderm before there are heartbreaking consequences.
While some people may not agree with this book having an elephant sanctuary in the middle of Texas, these places exist. And since poachers and population explosions are responsible for decimating the elephant population, some of them may be necessary. It's astounding that people would want to harm such magnificent creatures, but it's happening.
I appreciated how much Mr. Gibbs himself says he loves these majestic animals, you could feel it in his writing and the multitude of elephant facts he offers the readers sprinkled throughout the book. These are delightful stories that teach you something and Teddy as our amateur sleuth is always endearing.
I really, really liked this book and hope he will continue the series. I am sure there are some megafauna he hasn't covered yet, and maybe some of the smaller critters too!
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for this ARC.

I have really enjoyed this book and all the fun jungle mysteries by Stuart Gibbs. These books are packed with exciting adventures, clever mysteries, and just the right amount of humor to keep young readers engaged. They’re perfect for later elementary age kids and a great way to get them interested in reading. The stories are entertaining and smart, making them an excellent choice for family read-aloud time.

Sometimes it is hard to jump into a series without having read the previous books. This was not the case with FunJungle: All Ears. There was enough of an explanation as the story unfolded that I understood basically what the premise of the series was, without it ruining the ending of previous books in the series if I go back and read them.
The first chapter immediately hooked me with a mystery that included action and humor. The story continued to unfold, introducing characters readers would know from the series as well as new ones. Gibbs does an excellent job with character development, making them three dimensional and relatable. The fun from chapter one continued and I eagerly returned to the story every chance that I got. I love the way that the main character was presented with situations in which acquaintances were put in a new light, but he was often able to put his emotions aside and think about them in an unbiased way. Lots of great food for thought as you read a fun adventure/mystery. All Ears would make a great class or school wide read.

A fun read for young children with adorable illustrations and a mystery to solve. I read this to my preschool class and they loved seeing the different elephant characters and figuring out the mystery!

I’ve been a fan of the FunJungle series since the beginning, so I was thrilled to see a new release! In this one, Teddy is actually being hired to do some investigative work for private residents near FunJungle. I love the tidbits of animal knowledge that Gibbs adds into his book to show how “Encyclopedia Brown-like” Teddy thinks. This one wasn’t as lighthearted and humorous as the others have been, but it was still a good story that left me wondering who the culprit actually was until the end!

The ninth installment in Stuart Gibbs’ beloved FunJungle series, All Ears, delivers another action-packed mystery filled with animal rescues, humor, and high-stakes sleuthing. This time, Teddy Fitzroy, along with his best friend Xavier and girlfriend Sunny, finds himself unraveling two interconnected cases: the disappearance of Tanzy, an Asian elephant from a sanctuary, and the accusation of vandalism against Xavier near the site of the elephant’s escape.
As a dedicated FunJungle fan, I was eager to dive into the latest adventure, and Gibbs did not disappoint. The mystery is well-paced, with plenty of twists and turns that keep readers engaged. However, one noticeable shift in this book is Teddy’s characterization—he feels significantly older compared to the previous installment. The novel leans more toward YA territory, not just in Teddy’s behavior but also in the inclusion of mild language and more detailed depictions of corrupt adult figures. Additionally, the theme of big game hunting is addressed more directly than previous books’ animal conservation topics, adding a heavier and more thought-provoking element to the story.
Despite these tonal shifts, All Ears retains the essence of what makes the FunJungle series so enjoyable: engaging mysteries, humor, and a strong underlying message about wildlife conservation. As always, Gibbs provides informative resources at the end for readers who want to learn more about protecting elephants, reinforcing the educational aspect of the series.
Overall, this is another solid addition to the FunJungle series, though it marks a transition in maturity and themes. Longtime fans will still enjoy the adventure, but younger readers (and their parents) may notice the shift. I look forward to seeing how Teddy’s character continues to develop in future books!

Thank you, NatGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for this ARC for review. I have read every FunJungle book and loved every single one and this new book in the series is no different. This book focuses on a missing elephant from an elephant sanctuary. I love how the author in each book focuses on the animal of the title story and gives accurate information about the animal, what it eats, normal habitat, it’s endangered status, all within the story. I adore elephants and this book was definitely one of my favorites in the series.