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.