Publishers Weekly
★ 03/28/2016
When Dr. Bartholomew Cuttle mysteriously disappears from a windowless vault that contains a rare beetle collection belonging to famous fashion designer Lucretia Cutter, it's up to his 12-year-old son, Darkus, to figure out what happened. The police believe that Dr. Cuttle simple left town, but Darkus knows his father would never abandon him. Living with his eccentric archaeologist Uncle Max, Darkus uncovers clues to his father's dark past with Lucretia, a former geneticist. Darkus develops an unexpected friendship with a rhinoceros beetle he names Baxter, and he eventually learns that Baxter and the other rare beetles understand humans and can work together. It's a skill that Darkus and his best friends, Bertolt and Virginia, take advantage of as they prepare to take on Lucretia and her henchmen. In this first book in a planned trilogy, debut novelist Leonard gives readers a rare glimpse into the world of insects, mixing adventure, mystery, and science and to create a story that's much more than just a novel about bugs. Even the most squeamish will be charmed. Ages 8–12. Agent: Kirsty McLachlan, David Godwin Associates. (Feb.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Beetle Boy:A Spring 2016 Kids' Indie Next List pick* "Debut novelist Leonard gives readers a rare glimpse into the world of insects, mixing adventure, mystery, and science to create a story that's much more than just a novel about bugs. Even the most squeamish will be charmed." —Publishers Weekly, starred review"I loved Beetle Boy. It is at once engaging, creepy (bound to be), funny and full of excitement. Truly great storytelling." —Micharl Morpurgo, author of War Horse"Engaging . . . The story moves quickly, and the characters are both wacky and entertaining. Educators looking for fiction that connects to and supports science curricula may find a new favorite in this" —School Library Journal"Leonard unravels the madcap plot in sporadic bursts of frenzied action and humor. Overall, a charming and (at times) affecting romp through beetle land." —Kirkus Reviews"Fans of madcap adventures and anthropomorphised sidekicks will enjoy this fast-paced series opener." —Booklist"Hand this to students who like to laugh and who like their mysteries combined with adventure." —School Library Connection"If I didn't already devote most of my waking hours to beetles, reading this book would make me want to . . . " —Max Barclay, Coleoptera Collections Manager, Natural History Museum, London"M.G. Leonard does a fantastic job weaving a page turning mystery with cool facts about science and bugs . . . If you love Roald Dahl, Lemony Snickett, or even 101 Dalmatians you are truly going to enjoy this book." —YA and Kids Books Central (online)"[M.G. Leonard's] dialogue is dark and punchy and her plot thrilling; by the end you can do nothing but hail her as an original new voice in children's literature. I predict Beetle-mania." —The Times (UK)"What really makes this book memorable is the supporting cast, researched in fascinating detail . . . The discovery that a seemingly powerless band of creatures can be possessed of such skill, beauty, and strength should keep this gem on many a bedroom and library shelf for years to come." —The Guardian (UK)"Leonard's rich storytelling channels the spirit of classic children's fiction with a wholly original slant . . . It's a cracking mystery adventure, with plenty of Roald Dahl-esque humor to engage readers . . . A truly exciting debut." —The Bookseller (UK)"Parents be warned: this enchanting story is likely to make beetles very popular pets." —Daily Telegraph (UK)"If you've always regarded beetles as something unpleasant to be chased away from picnics, then this romp of a mystery thriller may change your attitude . . . . By the end young readers will have absorbed a huge amount of information on this resilient species." —Daily Mail (UK)"Perfect for fans of Roald Dahl." —Booktrust (UK)"A detective story with a twist, this is an exciting and original story that will appeal equally to boys and girls and — if I'm anything to go by — to any adult who loves a cracking story. Prepare for the Battle of the Beetles!" —The Bookbag (online)
School Library Journal
01/01/2016
Gr 5–8—An engaging story aimed at upper middle grade readers who enjoy mysteries but who might not be ready for more mature young adult plotlines. When Dr. Bartholomew Cuttle, a renowned entomologist at the National History Museum in London, suddenly disappears from his research vault without a trace, no one is more surprised than his son, Darkus. The boy can't believe his father would just vanish and leave him alone in the world. During his first week at Uncle Max's flat (his father's brother, also a researcher, who returns from Egypt to care for Darkus), a rhinoceros beetle appears out of nowhere. And it's no ordinary beetle. Atypically large, it seems to have the uncanny ability to understand what Darkus says. Feeling an immediate connection to his father, Darkus adopts the beetle, names him Baxter, and vows to find his father. Along with his new friends Virginia and Bertolt, Darkus discovers even more interesting beetles in the next-door neighbor's flat inhabited by warring cousins Pickering and Humphrey. When another famous researcher, Lucretia Cutter, discovers the beetles and wants to buy all of them (think Cruella de Vil), the sharp-minded threesome ponder the connection to Darkus's father and develop a plan to save the beetles and find Dr. Cuttle. The story moves quickly, and the characters are both wacky and entertaining. VERDICT Educators looking for fiction that connects to and supports science curricula may find a new favorite in this.—Anne Jung-Mathews, Plymouth State University, NH
Kirkus Reviews
2015-11-03
A young teen searches for his father with the assistance of unusual beetles in British documentarian Leonard's debut novel, a series opener. Five years after the death of his mother, 13-year-old Darkus Cuttle must confront the disappearance of his father. As the media frenzy and police investigation wind down, the boy moves in with his eccentric explorer uncle. One evening after school Darkus meets a "somehow friendly"-looking rhinoceros beetle he later names Baxter. The duo finds "beetle mountain," a pile of teacups and mold home to peculiar beetles. In turn, their discovery draws the attention of Lucretia Cutter, the Mad Scientist of Fashion, known for her deadly beetle obsession. Leonard unravels the madcap plot in sporadic bursts of frenzied action and humor. With the help of friends, Darkus soon plots to save the beetles from the villainous Cutter as he learns the reasons behind his father's disappearance. Throughout his quest, he encounters a whole range of offbeat characters, ranging from the grotesque (the violent and inane cousins Humphrey and Pickering) to the tragic (Novak Cutter, Lucretia's ill-treated actress daughter). As Darkus builds a beetle army to match Cutter's ferocity, emotional resonance recedes in favor of entertaining set pieces. Overall, a charming and (at times) affecting romp through beetle land. (entomology dictionary) (Fantasy. 8-12)
