About the book
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
2026-2027 Tome Society Book Award Winner
A 2026 MIDDLE-GRADE FAVORITE, Children’s Book Council
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 readers 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
Editions of Bug Bandits
- EBook
- ISBN 9780310167938
Read an Excerpt
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
2026-2027 Tome Society Book Award Winner
A 2026 MIDDLE-GRADE FAVORITE, Children’s Book Council
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 readers 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bug Bandits about?
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
2026-2027 Tome Society Book Award Winner
A 2026 MIDDLE-GRADE FAVORITE, Children’s Book Council
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 readers 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
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Bug Bandits?
Children’s, Teenage and Educational > Children’s / Teenage fiction and true stories > Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction
Where can I read a sample of Bug Bandits?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780310167938
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Bug Bandits?
Jenni L Walsh
Who is the Publisher of the book Bug Bandits?
Zonderkidz
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Bug Bandits is available as ebook(ISBN 9780310167938)
Where can I buy Bug Bandits online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Bug Bandits from below
Where can I buy Bug Bandits?