Belly Up was not what I was expecting. I was expecting hilarity. Sure it has a dead hippo on the cover, but the cartoonish of it, plus the colors... Actually, Belly Up is rather morbid. It’s still great fun, but fun in the what’s-gonna-happen-next way, not in the oh-look-monkies! kind of way.

Chapter 1 of Belly Up met my expectations. There’s a mischievous kid in a zoo, dodging the adults who want to put an end to his fun. And then there’s poop. Lots and lots of poo. Poo continues to make appearances throughout the novel, but it’s in this first chapter than poo really makes its grand entrance. I think I could argue that poop is actually the protagonist of this novel.

That first chapter sets the stage for what ends up being a very different book. The story becomes increasingly darker as it goes on. There are still bits of humor from beginning to end, but they’re mixed in with a larger story that focuses on murder, attempted murder, and some all-out grossness. Seriously, the climax of this novel makes that fair scene from Problem Child 2 as sweet as cotton candy.

Belly Up is a classic whodunit story told in a zoo. (And Agent Poop is on the case.) I’m not a big fan of the mystery genre for any age, so I’m not the intended audience, but I felt the formula was implemented well. The reveal was not surprising (I actually called it very early in the book) and the reason wasn’t entirely organic to the plot, but neither of these flaws kept the chase from being a fun ride. The characters were engaging. And there are animals, of course. This novel certainly succeeds as an entertaining mystery for children, especially those who laugh at poop.

For those with objections to strong language, please note that this book uses language that may seem misplaced in a children’s book. These include multiple utterances of words such as bastard, ass, hell, and damn. Yeah, I’ve heard worse in a PG movie, but I still thought someone might want to know.

A kid name Teddy being force by 3 bullies to throw fake arms and legs in the shark tank and to add ketchup on them to make like the sharks eat a real person. After throwing the fake arms and legs the head security guard found teddy and the 3 bullies so they all ran away. Teddy then went and hid in kazoo exhibit, he came out a few hours later. The next day his friend summer called him and told him the police was coming for him cause they think he stole the koala. After a while everyone told teddy to stay out of any trouble or else his parent would get in trouble. Teddy didn't listen and found out the person who stole kazoo was the main bully Vance Jessup.

To be honest if i was Teddy I would of told the principle and the owner of Funland(zoo) the i was force to do something i didn't want to do. Poached kind of remind me of book thief because the main character was bullied like teddy. She also stole a book to learn not like Vance who stole the koala t get revenge. This book can connect to the real world because if someone is framed for something they didn't do just know you shouldn't give up because they will find someone who actually did the crime.

I would recommend this book to other people because it's a real book to read. I would also recommend this because it's a problem solving booking. I would recommend this book to people who like solving crime. Or to people who like to read about koalas and want to leran more about them.

well this book "spy school" is about how a really smart boy got recuted to work as a spy for the pentagon and he told his perents that he was going to a school for smart kids in washionton dc and he works the hardest to get in shape to be the best studentof the academy and he faces this big problem were hr clound finish somehtinand at the end he did do his best.

this book connects to real life and the world becoause the are really amart kids that go to school that they wont even get apricated for how good they are and how hard they work and they work there buts of to try there best in school and to make there perents feel good so that way there really good in class.

i personally wloud recomend this book to all of you beacouse this book is really inteting an all of the fun things that ahpen to him and how he has fun and hoe he work allot to have a fun and have so much adventure truoght the story

Ben is sent to spy camp where he is again chased by Spyder wanting him to go over to their side.  He lets his friends know what is happening since they are involved and he needs their help.  This time Erica has an adult she can rely on since her father does not do a very good job as a spy but still does well with the taking credit side of the job.

Ben is a riot as he tries to figure out where Spyder will get him.  He's still not very good at the spy business but he is getting better.  Alexander is not better and now not only has a daughter who looks down on him but also others.  Ben must rely on Alexander this time to get them all out of this mess.  Alexander is a big kid--he pouts, he has no good ideas, he upsets a lot of people but sometimes he does come through.  I enjoy the other kids at school and camp as well.  It is interesting to watch the relationships develop and how people react one to another as they try to save the free world.

I look forward to the next book.