Spy Penguins Series, Book 1

August 13, 2018
Jackson and his best friend, Quigley, two penguins in the town of Rookeryville, want nothing more than to join the FBI (“Frosty Bureau of Investigation”); they hope that their detective skills, coupled with Quigley’s knack for inventing gadgets, are the ticket they need to impress. But Quigley’s latest creation, a “super-speedy, ice-blasting spy getaway vehicle” lands Jackson in the middle of an FBI stakeout, angering rather than interesting the head of the investigation. When Jackson finds his FBI agent uncle’s radio, the pair learn of an investigation at the aquarium, where exotic sea creatures are disappearing. Thus begins their madcap adventure as they race to evade Jackson’s mom, solve the crime, and show the FBI just how valuable they could be. Penguin details (“Quigley puffed up his feathers”) and humor (“There was one tiny, krill-sized problem with this plan”) by Hay (the Undead Pets series) build the world alongside cartoon illustrations by Jagucki. A quick pace, an engaging mystery, and attempted inventions—a pair of invisibility suits made of sardines that uses “the same scientific principles” as the fish—will keep readers hooked on this series opener. Ages 7–10.

September 1, 2018

Gr 2-5-Jackson and his best friend Quigley are sure they have what it takes to be part of the FBI, the Frosty Bureau of Investigation. After all, Quigley is a master inventor, constantly creating new, if sometimes dangerous, vehicles and gadgets. Jackson is brave enough to test Quigley's inventions, and good at coming up with clever plans on the spot. The two young penguins think they might finally have a chance to join the bureau when they stumble upon an FBI investigation into some missing rare fish from the city aquarium. Jackson and Quigley believe the thief must be Chilla Belle (aka Coldfinger), the owner of the new Shark's Pit Restaurant, but it will take all of their planning and inventing skills to get past Jackson's eagle-eyed mother, sneak into the restaurant, find the evidence they need, and convince the FBI to believe them. The first in a new series, this is chock full of penguin-themed wordplay, including a popular penguin pop star named Justin Beaker. Quigley's inventions, including an "invisibility suit" made of sardine poop, are quirky and fun, as are Jackson's attempts to distract his mom from discovering his spy exploits. VERDICT This light, funny adventure series will appeal to elementary school mystery fans.-Ashley Larsen, Pacifica Libraries, CA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2018
Grades 2-4 Two young penguins angling for jobs with the FBI (Frosty Bureau of Investigation) solve a dastardly eco-crime in this Antarctic antic. There's something fishy going on in Rookeryville: it seems that the City Aquarium is suddenly missing a number of its rare, endangered residents . . . while down the street, the Shark's Pit, a new seafood restaurant owned by unscrupulous prima donna Chilla Coldfinger Belle, readies for a grand opening. Could there be a connection? In waddle Jackson (aka Secret Agent 00Zero) and his buddy Quigley, a talented but timorous techie with a bagful of inventions that sometimes actually work, if not as expected. Complicated by the challenges of slipping past Jackson's mom, herself a detective at Waddles' department store, the would-be agents dive into an investigation. Jagucki slips comical cartoon scenes featuring anthropomorphic penguins of diverse breeds into the well-leaded narrative. It looks like the FBI has a couple of new recruits (once they work off their parental punishment: scrubbing gull poop off neighborhood decks), and fans will flock to their future capers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)