This middle-grade novel loosely based on a true heist story will keep readers turning the pages as they follow Liberty Jacobs and her friends on her mission to save her father’s insectarium from bankruptcy and stop a planned “buglary” of the insectarium’s rarest insects.

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 fathers insectarium, they embark on a mission to stop the burglary of the museums rarest insects. Inspired by true events, this STEM-based adventure is perfect for fans of Chasing Vermeer and The Van Gogh Deception.

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, theyll 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 theres a big problem: Liberty has reason to suspect theres going to be a "buglary" of the museums rarest animals. But the police dont believe her, and with Dad out of town for an insect convention, its 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 and Deron Hicks