[BWF] Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs 4 stars

[Karin]

This was quite a fun children's book that I wish I'd seen when it was new because it's possible my son would have enjoyed it when he was 10 (hard to say, though, but as an adult he likes the Chet and Bernie books).

Mean and nasty, even for a hippo (as the book correctly points out, this is the second most dangerous animal in Africa after the water buffalo,) Henry the Hippo not only ends up dead, but he's been murdered. Twelve year old Teddy--lives in a trailer with his parents on zoo grounds with certain other staff members--aided by 13 year old Summer, daughter of the billionaire who built the place, is the only one willing to find out who committed the murder. Teddy, due to his mother's research and his dad's photography, spent his first 10 years in Congo around African animals.

There is humour, a good mystery, danger and a fun cast of characters in this book.

[Rachel N.]

I've read two books in this series so far, both as an adult, and found them both to be a lot of fun. Glad you enjoyed it.