A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, now available in softcover!

2026-2027 Tome Society Book Award Winner

A 2026 MIDDLE-GRADE FAVORITE, Childrens 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 dads 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 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, 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, James Ponti, and Deron Hicks

“The trio draws inspiration from Home Alone, and the story offers plenty of suspects to consider… The young crime stoppers' escapades will hold readers' interest.” –Kirkus Reviews