Trouble in Bugland: A Collection of Inspector Mantis Mysteries (Godine Storyteller) [Paperback]

William Kotzwinkle (Author), Joe Servello (Illustrator), William Kotzwinkle (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Godine Storyteller

A collection of five detective stories with an all-insect cast. Follow brilliant Inspector Mantis, his faithful sidekick Doctor Hopper, and a bevy of buggy bandits as they tangle in a web of diabolical cases.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Inspector Mantis (read Sherlock Holmes) and his capable companion Doctor Hopper star in this collection of mysteries, ranging from "The Case of the Missing Butterfly" to "The Case of the Caterpillar's Head." Yes, they're insects, solving crimes in Bugland, with a cast of characters that includes the circus owner, P. T. Barnworm, and Captain Flatfootfly.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Do not miss! --Chicago Tribune

A first rate presentation! --Detroit News

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: David R Godine; 5th edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567920705
• ISBN-13: 978-1567920703
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,993,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Kotzwinkle is a celebrated satirist in the US as well as being author of several favourite books, including ET the Extra-Terrestrial and of course, the New York Times listed bestselling Walter the Farting Dog. He lives on an island off the east coast of America.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great mysteries!, June 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Trouble in Bugland: A Collection of Inspector Mantis Mysteries (Godine Storyteller) (Paperback)

This book was excellent! IF you like the Sherlock Holmes kind of mystery stuff, than you'll love this book. I liked this book so much because it's really easy to get into. It's lots of fun to read because you can try to solve the mysteries yourself. I learned how to be observant when trying to solve problems. I also learned to never give up, even when things aren't going your way, to stick through thing till the end. I rate this book a five, on a sclae from one to five. I gave "Trouble In Bugland" such a high rating because I found that this book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I also found it very interesting how Inspector Mantis solved his mysteries so accurately and he didn't stop trying to solve them until he found a solution to them. I recommend "Trouble In Bugland" to readers who like to solve mysteries and like to pick up a book and not putr it down until the end, because you won't want to!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book, December 8, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Trouble in Bugland: A Collection of Inspector Mantis Mysteries (Godine Storyteller) (Paperback)

You will be captivated by these many stories of intrigue and mystery, and dumbfounded by the sophistication of the characters. All of the five stories compell you with their multiple plots. Kotzwinkle's writing will have you reading all day long and talking about this book for weeks. A turn of the century bug's life, but the writing is ten times more sophisticated.
This summary is about the last story of this book. Mantis and Hopper are trying to find the emperor's crown and at the same time Mantis has a bet with Walking Stick to see if Mantis can solve the three greatest mysteries of Bugland. Suspicion is starting to brew in the emperor's elite hornet bodyguard force.
I would recommend this book to anybody who likes allegories. This book makes the characters feel like real humans.

5.0 out of 5 stars It [is not good] that it isn't in print, March 10, 2002

By 

A 12-year old reader (Keystone, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trouble in Bugland: A Collection of Inspector Mantis Mysteries (Paperback)

Probably one of the greatest books i've ever read. the way Will makes a whole world of bugs come to life and the way Joe draws the bugs looks like they're real.

The collection of stories is about a Sherlock Holmes type Praying Mantis and his side-kick Dr. Hopper(a lot like watson.) Mantis likes to go on adventures and Hopper likes to cook and eat. When the detectives aren't at home they're somewhere int he bug world.

You should buy it ...