Belly Up (FunJungle)

My 9 year old granddaughter invited me to join several others in a book club and this was her choice. The evolution of zoos has been almost as interesting as watching libraries evolve.

This author seriously knows his audience. Boys, looking for more than simple adventures in a graphic novel; and girls, wanting to learn more about animals then from the simple nonfiction books…..all laugh and learn together in BELLY UP!An enchanting ride of a novel as we view a new fun park through the eyes of a precocious resident, (whom enjoys his first crush) and his escapades to find the truth behind a hippos untimely death! Stuart Gibbs delivers!

First, allow me to disclose that I’m a dude pushing 40 and that I fully realize I’m probably not the typical target audience for a book like this. However, I have always felt an affinity toward hippos and have collected them all my life, so when I happened to stumble across this hippo-centric story I thought it looked like a cute read and a fun way to pass a weekend, my looming middle-age be darned. That said, I felt like “Belly Up” was a little dark for the preteen crown it IS intended for.Not that anything in it is “inappropriate” per se, but even for a murder mystery it struck me as a little mean-spirited in general. Was it the nasty security guard? The nasty park manager? The nasty costumed performer? Even the very victim himself, Henry the hippo, is renowned for being more than a little, well, nasty. Who knew so many people would have a motive for killing a hippopotamus? In other words, there are pretty much no likeable characters to root for, which is fine in terms of setting up literally everyone as a suspect and keeping us turning the pages, but there’s not much respite from the unkindness our main protagonist must constantly deal with from all sides, either. There is some humor, but again, it sort of goes hand in hand with the meanness. I admit my own sense of humor isn’t exactly politically correct, but some parents may not appreciate jokes at the expense of those who are overweight, short (midgets), or southern (Texans). Okay, the last group tends to bring it on themselves, but still.I won’t say “Belly Up” isn’t a quick, entertaining, and somewhat educational read – I love that we get a primer on hippo physiology and some behind-the-scenes tidbits on real-world zoo operations – but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t also kind of a bleak book, as well. Objectively it is well-written and the author knows how to craft a mystery with plenty of twists and turns, but the subject matter and stereotyping likely won’t appeal to some of the more delicate flowers among us. All in all, worth a look if you’re craving something outside of the box.

I LOVE this book! I love the plot! But, I would of reviewed this book 5 stars if: First, there are a few swear words throughout the book! As a kid, I find it disappointing to find a couple swear words in a kids book! The swear words, (a**, h***,d***) are used very loosely. I mean come on! Adding those swear words do NOT add to the plot and just make the book a 4 star review. Also, as a devoted Christian, I also find it disappointing that the characters say a couple of things ( God knows...., God....). If you are going to buy this book, I would make sure you're fine with a bit of language and some stuff......The plot is lovely, definitely a mystery book. The book definitely makes you think and get engaged. Finished book in 5 days and want the rest of the series. But if you buy this book, be careful of the swear words. I will read this book again....

This book, as well as the entire fun jungle series, is great for engaging boys in reading. There is mystery and action and crime with a boy protagonist who offers wonderful escapism of childhood agency. I started with reading entire books from the series to my child, then evolving later on in the series to alternating chapter reading aloud responsibilities between him and I, and now he is capable of reading them independently. He has finished the collection. It's been a great bonding time as well as growth into reading skills (he is now in 3rd grade). Some strong language and content is more advanced than what would be permitted for our family's standards for shows or movies, but that novelty and sophistication is part of what captured his desire and investment for the books. I do wish there was less content in the series about the mascots - as my kiddo started making the connection from the books to disney theme park characters we visit - but overall, the value of this series in his interest in developing his reading skills is worth some of those shortcomings or issues.

Bought it for my grandson. He liked it a lot

Stuart Gibb has written a thoroughly engaging and amusing mystery. Setting this series inside an animal park was a brilliant move and it shows. Teddy makes a great detective as well as a smart aleck, Teddy proves to be determined and unwilling to give up. At first he wants the adults to investigate Henry's murder but when the police turn him away, his mother brushes him off, and the park itself covers it up, Teddy decides it's up to him to investigate. He recruits the help of Summer McCraken, the daughter of the owner of FunJungle and together they manage to wreak havoc as they search for the answers that nobody seems to want them to find. I found myself flying through this book once I got started. It's a great mystery with lots of suspects as well as twists and turns that made it unpredictable and delightful to read. I read this aloud to a bunch of classes and they all loved it. Note: there is a mild amount of what many would consider bad language.

Bought this book to read at bedtime with my 9yr old. It is very amusing and written really well. However, I was a bit surprised at some of the language it contains (not the f word or anything, described someone as being p**sed off) so not for the younger more innocent maybe. Good book though.

Excelent purchase and a very good book.

My 11-year-old loved this book. He was reluctant to start as he's a big fan of Stuart Gibbs' other series and didn't want to make the switch but later he had no regrets. We'll definitely be buying other books in this series.

The best suspence for kids(it is appropriate) Although some bad words, but overall good book. Stuart Gibbs has wrote a good bookMystery about a hippo who was murderedAmazing book my kid loved itVery funny.

This was purchased for a 9-year-old boy, and he couldn't put the book down. He found the book funny and highly entertaining. He couldn't stop talking about it as he made his way through it.