What Happened to the Naked Mole Rat?: A Graphic Novel

Class Pet Ghost Detective #1

by Akeem S. Roberts

The first book in a funny supernatural graphic novel series for early readers about an eight-year-old boy who solves mysteries with the ghost of his former class pet.

Mr. Pebbles is dead, and everyone thinks it’s Carter’s fault!

When Carter’s third-grade class accuses him of killing the class pet, a naked mole rat named Mr. Pebbles who shivers a lot and smells a little funny, can Carter clear his name . . . with the help of Mr. Pebbles's ghost?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Ghosts, Mystery, Fiction, Childrens, Comics

128 pages, Paperback

Published July 15, 2025

Reviews

[Veronika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anytime I see a graphic novel, especially for middle graders, featuring a Black kid (and even more if the author/illustrator is also Black), I am drawn towards it. Growing up all I read was Archie comics which, from what I can remember, didn’t feature much representation for characters of color. So as an adult I am making up for that by reading all the middle grade graphic novels that I can get my hands on as I come across them.

I can’t remember how I first found out about Class Pet Ghost Detective, maybe while scrolling NetGalley or browsing on here, but I waited with anticipation until this was finally available at my local library to read it. In this book third grader Carter really wants to convince his parents that he is mature and responsible enough to get a dog but first he must stay out of trouble and make sure that he takes care of the naked mole-rat Mr. Pebbles, the class pet that he is tasked with over the weekend. Everything is going well and Carter manages to return the class pet back to school safe and sound until…oh no! 😱 Mr. Pebbles turns up dead! And to make matters worse, Carter is the one who is being blamed for it! With the help of Mr. Pebbles’ ghost, Carter must clear his name before his teacher returns to school and finds out what has happened.

You wouldn’t think a graphic novel featuring a boy who becomes friends with his dead class pet’s ghost would work but somehow it does. I thought the mystery in this was very well done and even I couldn’t tell who the culprit would be or determine what was the cause of Mr. Pebbles’ demise. I did have my guess on who I thought was guilty, but of course I was completely wrong. Outside of the mystery plot this has a lot of humor to offer (the pet rock kid definitely steals the show 😂) that I think middle-grade readers will really enjoy. Each chapter has a funny moment to keep the suspense of the mystery lively and entertaining while also making me feel nostalgic for my elementary school Swiss cake roll eating days. And the artwork is pretty good! Having read my fair share of middle-grade graphic novels and noticing how so many of them use a similar art style, I appreciated how Akeem Roberts was able to showcase his own artistic skill while also inserting himself into the story (I’m like 100% sure the art teacher is supposed him lol).

I think Class Pet Ghost Detective will be a hit with readers; I even convinced my 10-year old nephew to read a few pages and he enjoyed what he read so far. I will definitely be following along with Carter and Mr. Pebbles as they work together on more mysteries.

[Wyatt Mowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Banger of a book. 🤙🏻🇺🇸

[Meg]

Seems like the start of a fun series!

[Sara Kimmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple and fast graphic novel probably good for a second grader. A boy has to take a naked mole rat home. It’s the class pet. The class pet ends up dying and everyone blames him, but he has a special amulet that his mother gave him where he can see the ghost. They solve the crime of how the naked mole rat died, and in the end, it leaves a cliffhanger for the future stories where there are more detective cases with the ghost naked mole rat. I think kids will like it.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My niece loved this book! A hilarious mystery perfect for early readers. The bright and engaging illustrations helped her follow the action and she fell in love with Mr Pebbles. Can’t wait for book 2!

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, what a weird book, but I can see kids being super into it. The art is solid, Mr. Pebbles is suitably creepy, and the kids are kind when Carter talks with them. 3rd grade classroom, very true to school day.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and sort of weird book about a class pet that passes away and comes back to help investigate his death. The illustrations are vibrant and bring the story to life. Some kids might not like the death of a class pet part, but the right reader will be greatly amused.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly pretty funny and cute.

[Siena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute and funny :) I would have been OBSESSED with Mr. Pebbles when I was little haha

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book in a funny supernatural graphic novel series for early readers about an eight-year-old boy who solves mysteries with the ghost of his former class pet.