about the book
Teddy Fitzroy knows more about animals than any other twelve year old. In fact, after spending his first ten years in the Congo with his famed gorilla researcher mom and wildlife photographer dad, he probably knows more than most adults
Now his parents work in Texas at the largest zoo in the nation, and Teddy loves living on the zoo grounds.
But when the zoo’s 4,000-pound star attraction, a hippo named Henry, is found murdered, Teddy joins the zoo owner’s daughter, Summer, in tracking down the killer. Problem is, there is a long list of quirky suspects, including the owner himself, J.J. McCracken, and the head of security, Large Marge.
Whoever killed Henry is trying to hamper their investigation. Even with scary black mamba and hungry tiger accidents, these two are undeterred in their determination to cage the bad guy!
about the author
Stuart Gibbs was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but grew up in San Antonio, Texas. As a kid, he loved animals and spent as much time as he could at the zoo. In fifth grade he was amazed to learn that all kids weren’t so crazy about animals.
Stuart also loved books and knew he was going to be a writer. He wrote lots of stories, and I’ll wager that many were about animals! Stuart went to the University of Pennsylvania, and while studying capybaras, the world’s largest rodent, he was offered a job to continue his studies at the zoo. He became one the world’s foremost experts on capybaras…mainly because no one else was studying them!
Stuart went on to write several screenplays and developed television shows for Disney, Nickelodeon, ABC, and Fox. But with two children at home, he decided to go back to his first love and write a book for kids. Setting the plot in a zoo was, of course, his first choice. Belly Up was an acclaimed success and, though it took Stuart a couple of years, its long awaited sequel Poached is now on store shelves.
Stuart lives with his wife Suzanne and his two children Dashiell and Violet, in Los Angeles, California.
Sources:
Author website
Author interview : Simon & Schuster
Author interview : Author Turf
Also by Stuart Gibbs:
Poached. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2014.
Spy Camp (Spy School, Book 2). Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2013.
Double Cross (Last Musketeer, Book 3). Harper Collins. 2013.
Traitor’s Chase (Last Musketeer, Book 2). Harper Collins. 2012.
Spy School. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Children. 2012.
The Last Musketeer. Harper Collins. 2011.
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