The Bug Bandits
The Museum Is Her Home. Her Mission Is to Save It.
by Jenni L. Walsh
Narrated by Gail Shalan
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Pub Date May 07 2025 | Archive Date Sep 30 2025
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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 listeners 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
Advance Praise
“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
“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
“Walsh's latest novel is an exciting middle grade caper with a unique twist: the adventure centers a potential bug heist. Full of friendship, bug facts, adventure, and fun, this middle grade tale is based on actual events. The mix of facts and fun will be sure to stick with readers for time to come...A buggy adventure with high jinks and teamwork galore, recommended for middle grade fiction collections.” —School Library Journal
Available Editions
| EDITION | Audiobook, Unabridged |
| ISBN | 9780310167983 |
| PRICE | $19.99 (USD) |
| DURATION | 4 Hours, 6 Minutes |
