Review: InvestiGators

I gave this book to my 10-year-old son and when I asked him his thoughts, his immediate response was: “Can I have the next one?” That’s always a telling sign. This isn’t a serious read. This is a fun and light read. But it’s filled with suspense and middle grade goodness!

InvestiGators
By John Patrick Green
01: First Second, 2020
Grades 3 and up

Our “InvestiGators” are two alligators who work for an organization that sets out to right the wrongs of the world. They have V.E.S.T.s (Very Exciting Spy Technology) and S.U.I.T.s (Special Undercover Investigator Teams). They also have lots of punny humor and a hilarious plot that is so offbeat, it is brilliant in its offbeatness. (I know that’s not a word….) Their mission takes them to a famous bakery where the renowned and famous baker has gone missing. Then there’s an explosion at the Science Factory—where a giant cake has just been delivered. One wonders how good these InvestiGators really are at their job, but no one is left wondering how funny (read: corny) they are.

The artwork compounds the comical feel the text of the graphic novel already sets up. The illustrations are brightly colored, and the images are vivid with a real cartoonish feel. This could be a Saturday morning cartoon. The heaps of humor are perfect, especially after all the very serious reads I’ve had. Even writing out this review and leafing through the book has had little smiles creeping onto my face and a few chuckles escaping. Glad I’m alone at the moment. I hate to explain why I’m laughing at a book. No one gets it.

This is a must for most middle grade and young middle schoolers who just want a laugh.

Filed under: All Ages, Graphic Novels, Reviews