Leonard, M. G. Beetle Boy.

Leonard, M. G.  Beetle Boy.   Scholastic/Chicken House  2016  270p  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-545-85346-0  ms  Science fiction  VG

Darkus is the only son of a single father who has vanished mysteriously. After being relocated to a new school and a foster home, he is taken in by his uncle. At the new school Darkus makes his first real friends. While living at his uncle’s house he discovers a beetle with near-human intelligence. With the help of this beetle, his new friends and his uncle, Darkus is determined to rescue his father, who he knows never would have abandoned him. This is a lively, well-written, easy read that will inspire reluctant readers with its fast pace and will appeal to boys who love bugs.

Summary: Darkus suddenly finds himself living with his uncle after his father’s disappearance. The police have met a dead end in the search for his father, but Darkus, along with his uncle, new friends and some unexpected insect help, plans to find his father and make things right again.   

Family-Fiction, Friendship-Fiction                    --Erin Daley

Leonard, M. G. Beetle Boy.

Leonard, M. G.  Beetle Boy.  Scholastic/Chicken House  2016  270p  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-545-85346-0  elem/ms  Fantasy  VG

Darkus Cuttle’s father, Director of Science at the National History Museum in England, has gone missing. Since his mother died previously, Darkus moves in with his eccentric Uncle Max.  In his new school, he meets new friends Virginia and Bertolt. Pondering his father’s disappearance, Darkus meets a mysterious and personable beetle. As he and his uncle investigate his father’s disappearance, Darkus becomes convinced that the beetle and his father’s vanishing have a connection. When he and Uncle Max encounter the wicked Lucretia Cutter, Darkus and his friends embark on a mission to save the newly discovered, exceptional beetles living next door and to find Darkus’s father.

This fast-paced adventure-fantasy novel will engage and delight young readers. Suspense builds on every page, and the reader will root for Darkus and his friends as they search for Darkus’s dad and for answers about the mysterious beetles they have found. As the first book in a trilogy, the novel has a satisfying ending; however, it leaves the door open for successive novels. It is a fun and carefree read that peaks curiosity. Leonard has done excellent research about beetles and offers a challenging vocabulary related to the jargon of “coleopteran” studies.

Summary: Darkus Cuttle’s father, Director of Science at the National History Museum in England, is missing; and, when Darkus moves into his eccentric Uncle Max’s home he meets new friends Virginia and Bertolt, who recognize his connection with beetles and make a pact to find Darkus’s dad and save the mysterious beetles.
     

Beetles-Fiction, Mystery-Fiction          --Virginia McGarvey