2016
WISE Score
Amazon
A high-stakes mystery that turns creepy-crawlies into heroes and science into a superpower.
4.6
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Beetle Boy is a standout in middle-grade fiction. It’s got that Roald Dahl-esque mix of slightly dark humor, a grotesque villain, and a heart of gold.
It’s the kind of book that makes kids want to go outside and look under a log, which is a nice break from the usual 'brain rot' digital content. If you have a kid who likes mysteries or animals, this is a must-buy. It’s smart, it’s fast, and it doesn’t talk down to its audience.
Perfect for the 8-12 crowd. It’s sophisticated enough for a 6th grader but accessible enough for a 3rd grader who’s ready for a real chapter book.
It hits all the right notes for a middle-grade adventure: a kid-led mystery, solid friendships, and a protagonist who actually respects his elders while carving his own path. It deals with a missing parent without being overly depressing.
M.G. Leonard makes beetles—creatures most kids want to squish—into sentient, charismatic sidekicks. The world-building around the 'Battle of the Beetles' is fresh and avoids the tired tropes of typical magic-school or dragon-rider clones.
It's a book, so no chat rooms or microtransactions. Content-wise, there's some mild peril and a villain who is genuinely creepy, but nothing that will keep a 9-year-old up at night unless they have a literal phobia of insects.
You'll accidentally learn a lot about entomology. It frames science as a cool, detective-like pursuit rather than a boring school subject, which is a massive win for STEM engagement.
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