A Girl, Her Bugs, and a Big Problem
Liberty Jacobs is most at home at the Insectarium her father runs—a museum full of the rarest, most fascinating insects imaginable. When Liberty learns the Insectarium may close, she starts brainstorming ways to save it. But her plans are derailed by a more urgent threat: thieves are plotting to steal the Insectarium’s rarest creatures. Rare insects can fetch serious money, and these bug bandits mean business.
Inspired by the movie Home Alone and armed with a deep knowledge of insect biology, Liberty and her friends decide to fight back. The plan? Use the insects’ own natural defenses to protect them.
Where Science Meets Adventure
This is where “The Bug Bandits” really shines. Walsh weaves real entomology into the action—bombardier beetles that spray boiling chemicals, stick insects that vanish into thin air, ants with powerful bites. Liberty’s expertise becomes her superpower, and readers come away with a genuine appreciation for how sophisticated insect defenses truly are. The science never feels like a lesson; it emerges naturally from the story because Liberty simply loves bugs, and that enthusiasm is contagious.
More Than a Heist Story
Beneath the booby traps and bug-fueled chaos, “The Bug Bandits” is about protecting the places and communities we love. The Insectarium isn’t just a building—it’s Liberty’s sense of belonging, her father’s life work, and a community resource worth fighting for. The story also celebrates teamwork: Liberty doesn’t act alone, and her friends’ different strengths make the plan come together.
For young readers who have ever felt passionate about something others overlook—insects, fossils, fungi, anything—this book is a validation. Deep knowledge in any area is a genuine superpower. Liberty Jacobs proves it, one booby trap at a time.
Perfect For
Readers in grades 3–5 who love adventure, animals, and smart protagonists. Great companion to science units on ecosystems or animal adaptations. Fans of the Home Alone films will enjoy the heist-planning energy. A wonderful read-aloud for classrooms and families alike.