Sometimes it is hard to jump into a series without having read the previous books. This was not the case with FunJungle: All Ears. There was enough of an explanation as the story unfolded that I understood basically what the premise of the series was, without it ruining the ending of previous books in the series if I go back and read them.
The first chapter immediately hooked me with a mystery that included action and humor. The story continued to unfold, introducing characters readers would know from the series as well as new ones. Gibbs does an excellent job with character development, making them three dimensional and relatable. The fun from chapter one continued and I eagerly returned to the story every chance that I got. I love the way that the main character was presented with situations in which acquaintances were put in a new light, but he was often able to put his emotions aside and think about them in an unbiased way. Lots of great food for thought as you read a fun adventure/mystery. All Ears would make a great class or school wide read.

A fun read for young children with adorable illustrations and a mystery to solve. I read this to my preschool class and they loved seeing the different elephant characters and figuring out the mystery!

I’ve been a fan of the FunJungle series since the beginning, so I was thrilled to see a new release! In this one, Teddy is actually being hired to do some investigative work for private residents near FunJungle. I love the tidbits of animal knowledge that Gibbs adds into his book to show how “Encyclopedia Brown-like” Teddy thinks. This one wasn’t as lighthearted and humorous as the others have been, but it was still a good story that left me wondering who the culprit actually was until the end!

The ninth installment in Stuart Gibbs’ beloved FunJungle series, All Ears, delivers another action-packed mystery filled with animal rescues, humor, and high-stakes sleuthing. This time, Teddy Fitzroy, along with his best friend Xavier and girlfriend Sunny, finds himself unraveling two interconnected cases: the disappearance of Tanzy, an Asian elephant from a sanctuary, and the accusation of vandalism against Xavier near the site of the elephant’s escape.

As a dedicated FunJungle fan, I was eager to dive into the latest adventure, and Gibbs did not disappoint. The mystery is well-paced, with plenty of twists and turns that keep readers engaged. However, one noticeable shift in this book is Teddy’s characterization—he feels significantly older compared to the previous installment. The novel leans more toward YA territory, not just in Teddy’s behavior but also in the inclusion of mild language and more detailed depictions of corrupt adult figures. Additionally, the theme of big game hunting is addressed more directly than previous books’ animal conservation topics, adding a heavier and more thought-provoking element to the story.

Despite these tonal shifts, All Ears retains the essence of what makes the FunJungle series so enjoyable: engaging mysteries, humor, and a strong underlying message about wildlife conservation. As always, Gibbs provides informative resources at the end for readers who want to learn more about protecting elephants, reinforcing the educational aspect of the series.

Overall, this is another solid addition to the FunJungle series, though it marks a transition in maturity and themes. Longtime fans will still enjoy the adventure, but younger readers (and their parents) may notice the shift. I look forward to seeing how Teddy’s character continues to develop in future books!

Thank you, NatGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for this ARC for review. I have read every FunJungle book and loved every single one and this new book in the series is no different. This book focuses on a missing elephant from an elephant sanctuary. I love how the author in each book focuses on the animal of the title story and gives accurate information about the animal, what it eats, normal habitat, it’s endangered status, all within the story. I adore elephants and this book was definitely one of my favorites in the series.