I was hoping to feature this new middle grade contemporary closer to the release date in May. But…I have so many books to share that month I moved this one up to give you an advanced look.

THE BUG BANDITS is an engaging story full of great characters. If that’s not convincing enough, the story is a mystery set in a museum and is currently my top MG contemporary read this year.

Liberty Jacobs lives with her Dad on the top floor of at Walnut Street Insectorium, the museum he owns in Philadelphia. Liberty loves it there as she is surrounded by butterflies, geckos, and other unique insects.

The not so good parts of her life include no mom, her best friend Emma moved to Florida, and the kids at school call her “Bug Girl.” The worst might be that Dad is afraid of losing the museum since financially it is not doing well. He has an upcoming meeting with some investors who could help turns it around.

Liberty believes a burglar is going to steal many of the rare insects. If that happens the investors will likely decline to help. When the police don’t believer her and Dad is out of town, Liberty, distant Emma, and new friend Cam come up with a “Home Alone” type plan to stop the bad guys or gals.

The first person narration is spot on and relates not only to Liberty’s anxiety about what may happen, but also dives deeper into her personality. The writing flows and you can’t put it down given the mystery of who the burglars might be. I kept guessing and re-guessing. The other character, Cam, is a popular athlete at school but connects with the museum when he agrees to do some artwork, his secret passion.

Insect lovers will love THE BUG BANDITS as will anyone else looking for a memorable MG read. Highly recommended!

PAGE COUNT: 224 TO BE RELEASED: May 6, 2025

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE BUG BANDITS by Jenni L. Walsh

1. Having a distant friend is quite common so there are daily phone calls and sadness about not being close together anymore. The depiction works as does the help Emma provides via long distant calls to help thwart the robbery. You’ll visualize everything as it happens.
2. Home Alone is such a long standing holiday favorite for families. Kevin’s plan from that movie helps Liberty and Cam come up with their own defense and it has some amusing results. Even if you haven’t see the movie, you will be searching for it after reading The Bug Bandits.
3. It was nice to see track star Cam and his popularity connect with Liberty, who seems the exact opposite. Their friendship was a highlight of the story.
4. The opening pages has a guide to what animals visitors will find at the museum. Details within the text of the plot reveal many interesting facts that will have you saying “I didn’t know that!”
5. The author based the concept on a real bug heist in Philly that brings even more believability to the plot.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenni L. Walsh is a USA Today bestselling author of over twelve books. Her passion lies in transporting readers to another world, be it in historical or contemporary settings. She is a proud member of the Tall Poppy writers, a graduate of Villanova University, and lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with her husband, daughter, son, and various pets.

For children, Jenni has written the She Dared nonfiction series and novels Hettie and the London Blitz, I Am Defiance, By the Light of Fireflies, Over and Out, Operation: Happy, and the forthcoming The Bug Bandits. She also writes historical novels for adults, including Becoming Bonnie, Side by Side, A Betting Woman, The Call of the Wrens, Unsinkable, and Ace, Marvel Spy. To learn more about Jenni and her books, please visit jennilwalsh.com or @jennilwalsh on social media. (Jenni’s Author Website)

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Be sure to check out all the other great features and reviews on today’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday!