| Author: MG Leonard Book Review By: Arul David Grade: 6 |
Beetle Boy
My book review is about the book “Beetle Boy” by MG Leonard. It is the first book of a trilogy. The Beetle Boy is a 13-year-old called Darkus Cuttle. In a mystery that puzzles everyone, his father, the brilliant scientist, Dr. Bartholomew Cuttle, goes missing from a locked room at the Natural History Museum. Darkus is sent to live with his eccentric Uncle Max, but he knows his father will never leave him and go away on his own.
There is an unexpected twist in his uncle’s house. Darkus meets a rhinoceros beetle who is not only smart but also gentle and kind! Baxter (which is what the beetle is called) becomes his pet. Living with his uncle means Darkus must also go to a new school. He has always been a lonely boy, but now he has developed friendships with two other kids, Virginia and Bertolt. The plot is about how these three kids and the beetle work together to solve the mystery of Dr. Cuttle’s disappearance.
The person behind the mystery is a woman called Lucretia Cutter. She is a very wealthy fashion designer, but she has a creepy obsession with insects. She is actually ‘a mad scientist’ who creates living insect jewellery by genetically altering insects..
In the meantime, Darkus and his friends discover a secret society of intelligent beetles. Baxter leads the beetle army, and they fight Lucretia.
Why does Baxter become attached to Darkus?
Will the kids and Baxter be able to defeat Lucretia?
Will they rescue Darkus’ father?
Will the insects be saved from Lucretia’s evil plans?
I’ve read many fantasy/science fiction books where animals help humans. Usually, they are much bigger animals. This book is unusual because it is the tiny beetle that helps the hero. Another thing I did not expect was all the information about insects.
The author has developed the theme of friendship throughout the book. Darkus himself is a lonely kid, but Virginia, Bertolt, and even Baxter teach him how to build relationships.
If you enjoy books about adventure and mystery with a dose of friendship, I strongly recommend that you read Beetle Boy.
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Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
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