Stuart Gibbs – BookBunnies

Caramel reviews Spy School Blackout by Stuart Gibbs

Caramel has read and reviewed all books in the Spy School series by Stuart Gibbs, so he could not pass the opportunity to read and review the thirteenth book that just came out last week: Spy School Blackout. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: I know you could not wait to talk about this book today!

Caramel: Yes! We got a new Spy School book! How cool is that?

S: Very. Okay so this is book thirteen, right?

C: Yes, in fact it is. And a very good thirteenth at that, most things are no longer good after the first ten books or movies, for example fast and furious.

S: Caramel, you have not even watched one of those movies! I did. Actually I did not think it was terrible. It definitely kept me paying attention.

C: Nope, I don’t know the movies, it is true, but I’ve heard it got bad after the first two.

S: Yes, I suppose critics did not like them. But the studio keeps making them so lots of people must be watching, don’t you think? Doesn’t mean we would like them of course. And anyways, I think your point was that this book is still very good even though it is number 13 in the series.

C: Yep, it is very very good

S: So tell us about it a bit. I am guessing it is still about Ben Ripley.

C: Yes. In this one, the group is in Indonesia to take a vacation, and then the power goes out.

S: Oh, that is interesting. I had read the quick summary which said “On their latest mission to save the world, Ben and his friends face a conniving villain, assassins, pirates, sharks, and very big lizards in the most remote—and deadly—location of any spy school yet!” And I was wondering where that most remote and deadly place was. So they are in Indonesia!

C: Yeah, but the power is not just out in Indonesia, but around the whole world, everywhere.

S: I guess that is why the book is titled “Blackout”.

C: Yep, you are pretty smart, Sprinkles!

S: I am humbled and honored. Anyways. So the power goes out everywhere. How could that happen? Who could have done such a thing? Power networks around the world are not all connected, are they?

C: Birthday cake.

S: What do you mean?

C: it’s apparently the code word for a precision attack on the power systems.

S: So someone simultaneously attacks all the networks. I am guessing it is a cyber-attack, like a virus or something.

C: Yep, pretty much.

S: Hmm, that sounds terrifying. Remember how a few days ago we were talking about how we get to stay up after sunset because we have electricity and can still read or do other things at home even when there is no natural light?

C: Yep, I do remember us talking about that.

Caramel is reading Spy School Blackout by Stuart Gibbs. — Caramel is reading *Spy School Blackout* by Stuart Gibbs.

S: I cannot imagine there not being any light at night. And the fridge would not work, either! Oh my goodness, that would be horrible too.

C: Yep, it would be almost world ending, or saving at the same time.

S: Wait, are you suggesting the person or group that does this has some environmental ideals and that is their reason?

C: No, not really, they are just evil. But I was thinking just that since humans rely on power so much, if it disappeared, the carbon emissions would decrease by a huge amount and then maybe forcing us to find a way around it, but would also cause all infrastructure to fail, and most likely make many people die from either hypothermia or too much heat. And all the machines in hospitals would stop working once the generators ran out and so on.

S: Yes, people could still probably use gas-based cars and generators, but so much of the world we know would collapse. That is a terrifying scenario, Caramel. Okay so that is the basic idea of the book, then. But I am guessing our hero Ben will figure things out?

C: I shouldn’t really give it away but I suppose it is no big secret. After twelve times when the world was about to end Ben saved it, you would expect he would do it again.

S: Phew! I wonder how he does it. But don’t tell me. We don’t want to spoil it for our readers.

C: Yeah, I guess we don’t. You and our readers, too, will just have to read the book!

S: Hmm, I also might ask you after we wrap this up?

C: Hmm, we will see how much I will tell.

S: Okay, we will see. But overall you really enjoyed reading this book, right? Compared to the other twelve, how do you think it would rank?

C: I think this might be my favorite so far!

S: Wow! That is impressive. Maybe I will read the book after all. Okay, I suppose it is time to wrap this up then. What would you like to tell our readers, Caramel?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunnies reviews!

Caramel was delighted to read Spy School Blackout by Stuart Gibbs, and is hopeful that there will soon be a fourteenth book, or at least maybe a graphic novelization of some of the earlier books. — Caramel was delighted to read *Spy School Blackout* by Stuart Gibbs, and is hopeful that there will soon be a fourteenth book, or at least maybe a graphic novelization of some of the earlier books.

Caramel reviews Space Case: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs and Ward Jenkins

Caramel has reviewed many books by Stuart Gibbs before. Today he talks about a recent graphic novel adaptation, Space Case: The Graphic Novel, of a 2015 book written by Gibbs; this version was published in August 2025 and was illustrated by Ward Jenkins. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Caramel reviews Space Case: The Graphic Novel, written by Stuart Gibbs and illustrated by Ward Jenkins. — Caramel reviews *Space Case: The Graphic Novel*, written by Stuart Gibbs and illustrated by Ward Jenkins.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, today we are talking about a brand new graphic novel by Stuart Gibbs. And I know you and Marshmallow both love books by this author. So I am guessing this was something you were curious to read?

Caramel: Well, to be honest, I did not know about it before last week, but when I did, then I really did.

S: What does that mean? You just dove into the book and read it and now know everything about it?

C: Kind of, but I will try to explain well.

S: That is good. So please do go ahead. What is this book about?

C: It is about a boy named Dash who is living on the moon.

S: Wait. He is living on the moon. How is that possible?

C: Yeah, he lives with his mom and dad who are scientists, and work there.

S: Okay, I see. Is the story happening in the near future then?

C: I think so, but the specific date is not stated.

S: I see. Would you like to be living on the moon Caramel? I mean, if it were safe and there were a base and other folks living there and so on.

C: Maybe, I don’t know.

S: Okay. I understand. There are just too many possibilities, and I have to say I love seeing the blue skies and the trees and the mountains and so on. On the moon you would not see those. Then again you could see the Earthrise! And that might be worth at least a trip…

C: Yeah, if it’s for a day or a week, maybe it may work, but for a long time, no way.

S: Yeah, we bunnies quite like this planet!

Caramel is reading Space Case: The Graphic Novel, written by Stuart Gibbs and illustrated by Ward Jenkins. — Caramel is reading *Space Case: The Graphic Novel*, written by Stuart Gibbs and illustrated by Ward Jenkins.

S: Okay, let us get back to the book then.

C: So anyways, one day, Dash hears a conversation, and hears the scientific leader of the mission, or at least a leader of something, Then a little bit later, that scientist is found dead.

S: Hmm, sounds mysterious. So this is a murder mystery?

C: Yeah, kinda.

S: Gibbs sure likes to write mysteries! You basically read and reviewed all his Spy School books and Marshmallow read and reviewed all his FunJungle books, and both series are mysteries. Weird things keep happening around the main character and the main character and their friends have to figure things out.

C: Yes, I have read and reviewed all the Spy School books, and they were good. And this is very good too.

S: Apparently it is also a part of a series. Did you know that this is the graphic novel version of a book from 2015 and there are two more books in this series? They are called the Moon Base Alpha series.

C: Really?

S: Yes. But the other books are still only regular books. No graphic novel version yet.

C: Hmm, kind of like the Spy School books. He first writes the books, and then the graphic novel versions come out, one by one, but really slowly…

S: Yes.

C: I might like to read those other books, too, then. I am not sure I can wait till the graphic novels come out.

S: Okay, so does that mean this book was really good, too?

C: Yes, very good. It was a lot of fun but also exciting!

S: So I am understanding that you liked the book a lot and would not mind looking into the other books in the Moon Base Alpha series.

C: Yeah, why not? It was a good book.

S: By the way, a new Spy School book is coming out soon. I am guessing you would like to read that, too?

C: Yes! Of course!

S: I think we understand each other, Caramel. I will start looking into getting those books for you. And you will start looking into going to bed.

C: Yup. I think this is a good place to end this review.

S: Great! So what would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Space Case: The Graphic Novel, written by Stuart Gibbs and illustrated by Ward Jenkins, and is looking forward to reading more about Dash and his adventures. — Caramel loved reading *Space Case: The Graphic Novel*, written by Stuart Gibbs and illustrated by Ward Jenkins, and is looking forward to reading more about Dash and his adventures.

Marshmallow reviews All Ears by Stuart Gibbs

It must be obvious to the book bunnies blog readers that the book bunnies are huge fans of Stuart Gibbs and his books. While Caramel has read and reviewed all his Spy School books, Marshmallow has mostly read and reviewed his FunJungle books. Gibbs is a prolific author, and the most recent FunJungle book, All Ears, just came out a couple weeks ago on May 13. This week, Marshmallow was finally able to read this ninth book in the series and is ready to share her thoughts with our readers today.

Before starting reading this review, you might like to check out Marshmallow’s reviews of the first eight books of FunJungle: Belly Up, Poached, Big Game, Panda-monium, Lion Down, Tyrannosaurus Wrecks, Bear Bottom, and Whale Done.

Marshmallow reviews All Ears by Stuart Gibbs. — Marshmallow reviews *All Ears* by Stuart Gibbs.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you liked the previous FunJungle books, like animals, reading about mysteries, or want to read a really entertaining novel, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Teddy Fitzroy has proven himself as a remarkable detective. His parents both work at FunJungle, the largest zoo in America (if not the world). During his time living next to it, he has solved several high-profile and low-profile cases regarding the zoo or related to the surrounding Texan area. Since the first book in the series, Teddy has been good friends with Summer McCracken—the daughter of billionaire J.J. McCracken who owns FunJungle—and the two recently started dating . Teddy is also good friends with Xavier Gonzalez, a fellow animal-lover and student at his high school.

Sadly, Xavier gets arrested! He normally likes to look around for reptiles he can capture and examine (ethically and caringly, of course) but is found at a crime scene under suspicious circumstances. Being an ardent advocate for the environment, him being in an area that seemingly was vandalized by “eco-warriors” makes him look pretty guilty. So Xavier’s best course of action is to call in Teddy to prove him innocent.

Unfortunately, the call comes at a very inconvenient time. Teddy has been hired to solve another crime regarding a lost elephant. In Texas (and many other places), some ranch owners have taken to raising exotic animals either with the purpose of sheltering them or creating an area in which hunters can kill unusual creatures for an extravagant price. The Sinclairs have created a sanctuary for elephants that they aptly named The Sanctuary. But during a massive power outage in Texas, their herd escapes or is led out of their ranch. This causes some mayhem on a football field later, but eventually Tanzy, the sole African elephant (the rest are Asian), is discovered to be missing. Aside from the fact that rural Texas is not the native habitat of an African elephant, Tanzy could also be under threat from whomever took her.

Teddy now faces two mysteries to solve: where is Tanzy and who took her, and who really committed the crime Xavier’s accused of? Can he find the answer before time runs out … for Tanzy and Xavier?

Marshmallow is reading All Ears by Stuart Gibbs. — Marshmallow is reading *All Ears* by Stuart Gibbs.

Marshmallow’s Review: All Ears is a really good book! I’ve been waiting for the new FunJungle book to come out and for Stuart Gibbs to continue this series! I really, really, really love this series! All of the books have fascinating, interesting, and most importantly confounding mysteries that are perfect for readers of all ages. The characters are lively, intelligent, funny, and lovable—and the lack of cursing (except possibly in Tyrannosaurus Wrecks) makes them appropriate for everyone. And this book is no exception!

I really like how the FunJungle books tackle environmental issues and address the nuance of every topic. Even though he clearly finds these issues very important and harshly critiques greedy corporations, Gibbs never portrays them as completely evil. In particular, we often learn about a CEO’s perspective through a more human lens via J.J.’s character. Gibbs also doesn’t make the activists seem like saints. He explains how many hunters are good people too and really humanizes everyone. However, he does show the facts, many of which are truly disturbing. Gibbs doesn’t omit nuance; rather, he conveys a wide range of conflicting perspectives in a way that is palatable, comprehensive, and comprehensible to a wide audience, while still sending the message that action must be taken to protect the environment. All this makes All Ears worth reading: its message and its explanation and dialogue about the environment and the battle about how we should treat it.

But you should also read this book for fun! It is really funny and entertaining; there are so many twists and turns! Once I picked up this book, I could not put it down—literally. The emotional tension is also really well done throughout, and one can really feel the realness in Teddy’s situation, in which he is caught between a rock and a hard place as he tries to solve two mysteries at the same time.

I love the FunJungle series, the characters and the plot and the writing and everything about these books! They are really special to me! But I think they can be great for many new readers too! I would recommend reading the first couple of books in the series first, but honestly, one could just start here with All Ears, too. Whatever your age or background knowledge though, this book is definitely an amazing one to read for its message, style, and content! I can’t recommend it enough!

Marshmallow’s Rating: 101%.

Marshmallow rates All Ears by Stuart Gibbs 101%. — Marshmallow rates *All Ears* by Stuart Gibbs 101%.

Caramel reviews Spy School Goes Wild by Stuart Gibbs

The book bunnies are fans of Stuart Gibbs and his books. While Marshmallow has been an avid fan of Gibbs’ FunJungle books, Caramel has read and reviewed all his Spy School books. So last week, he was delighted to finally get his paws on Spy School Goes Wild, the new Spy School novel that just came out on September 24. In the post below, he shares his thoughts about this book. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, we are at book twelve now. Tell me what is going on with Ben Ripley this time.

Caramel: He is still a spy at the training facility in Alaska like in Spy School Goes North, the previous book. And he is supposed to be sent for a secret mission. The principal of his school takes him on a plane for this mission but betrays him and turns him over to Murray Hill, his arch-nemesis.

S: Well, that sounds awful.

C: It is but it gets much worse. The principal double-crosses Murray as well, and Ben and Murray are stuck in the African wilderness together. And that is not all of it, either. There is an unexpected enemy who is trying to take revenge on both of them, so they are in serious danger.

S: That sounds dangerous!

C: And it is dangerous!

S: But I am assuming our hero Ben will figure things out in the end, as he always does.

C: Ye of course, but the way he gets there is all around awesome! This was again a lot of fun to read.

Caramel is reading *Spy School Goes Wild* by Stuart Gibbs.

S: You have been waiting for this twelfth book for some time now.

C: Yes, it has been more than eight months since I read and reviewed the eleventh book. Then I tried to wait around and read the graphic novels while waiting, but there are only three of those: Spy School: The Graphic Novel, Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel, and Evil Spy School: The Graphic Novel. It is so hard to wait!

S: I know! Especially for a little bunny like you! But the wait is over! You got a twelfth book!

C: Yay! I am excited to have the twelfth book. But-

S: What?

C: You know what I am going to say.

S: Hmm, I think I do. Go ahead; say it then.

C: I am excited to have the twelfth book. But now I read it. So I need the thirteenth book now!

S: Well, you might have to wait a bit. You know it takes some time to write a book. Even a prolific author like Stuart Gibbs will need some time to get a new book out.

C: I know, I know. But you know me, I like to always keep reading my favorite series. I guess I will simply go back and reread some of the earlier books.

S: Sounds like a good compromise to me. And there are other books out there, too. Maybe we will find a new series.

C: Maybe.

S: Okay, Caramel; this is probably a good time to wrap up this review. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Spy School Goes Wild by Stuart Gibbs: he had missed Spy School! — Caramel loved reading *Spy School Goes Wild* by Stuart Gibbs: he had missed Spy School!