Last Panda Standing

Platypus Police Squad #3

by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

From Jarrett J. Krosoczka comes Last Panda Standing , the third installment in the hilarious, high-action illustrated middle grade series featuring two platypus detectives, perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, and Jarrett's own Lunch Lady series. The Kalamazoo City mayoral race is heating up, and Frank Pandini Jr. has been threatened by a mysterious assailant. He requests a special Platypus Police Squad protection Detective Rick Zengo. This leaves O'Malley to be partnered up with Jo Cooper, the newest detective on the force. Can Zengo get to the bottom of the attacks—without O'Malley backing him up?

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Fiction, Childrens, Juvenile

256 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2015

About the author

Jarrett J. Krosoczka, known since boyhood as "JJK," is the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator behind more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the Star Wars™: Jedi Academy series, and Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Krosoczka creates books with humor, heart, and deep respect for his young readers—qualities that have made his titles perennial favorites on the bookshelves of homes, libraries, and bookstores over the past twenty years.

In addition to his work in print, Krosoczka produced, directed, and performed in the full-cast audiobook adaptations of his graphic novels. The Hey, Kidoo audiobook garnered both Audie and Odyssey Awards for excellence in audiobook production. The Lunch Lady audiobook cast is led by Kate Flannery (The Office) and is rounded out by famed audiobook narrators and real kid actors! Krosoczka has been a guest on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, has been profiled in The New York Times, was featured on Good Morning America, and has delivered three TED Talks, which have accrued millions of views online. Krosoczka has garnered millions of more views online via the tutorials he has produced for YouTube and TikTok. As well as working on his books' film and television adaptions, Krosoczka has also written for The Snoopy Show (Apple TV+) and served as a consultant for Creative Galaxy (Prime Video), and appeared in live segments for the show.

Realizing that his books can inspire young readers beyond the page, Krosoczka founded School Lunch Hero Day, a national campaign celebrating school lunch staff. A consummate advocate for arts education, Krosoczka also established the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships, which fund art classes for underprivileged children in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.

Krosoczka lives in western Massachusetts with his spouse, their three children, pugs Ralph and Frank, and a French bulldog named Bella Carmella.

Reviews

[Mason O · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read platypus police squad it was a good book the author was jarrett krosoczka it was fun to read. It was a police case i like that stuff it's enjoyable to me. And my favorite character was pandi at first i thought that he was going to be the bad guy but he wasn't and he was the mayor of the town. And the theme was about a crime a person did. The mayor pandi was having a party in his new building. someone came in through the widow and broke it and throw a boomerang at the mayor but it missed and the person went out of the room and the police squad are trying to find the person the whole book so i like it was good. :)

[Daniel Roman]

This book is not that good because it kinda confusing but their are parts were it just wowed me.The Platypus Police Squad are trying to find out who are doing these attacks on Mr.Panda.They go to the Nutter Factory and try to find out if there anyone suspicious because the attacker are flying squirrels.They think it might be Mr.Panda setting these attacks but then they think it is Mr.Govern because he is a business man and he is also trying run for mayor.This is why i think you should read this book because we all might want to know who is behind these attacks.

[Joe Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book about platypus protecting a mayor candidate that keeps getting attacked by a mysterious animal. I will recommend this book to everyone who is interested in the mystery genre.

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the new character. She was fun and cool. This was a weird mystery. It was obvious the whole time.

[Sophia Imbriaco · Rating 5 out of 5]

As far as children's mystery books go, this one is gold. For once, the plotline and the twist isn't obvious at the beginning, and I love the setting of Kalamazoo.

[Mitchell Haskins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m sad that I finished all of the Platypus Police Squad books.

[Brenda Wharton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #3
Frank pandini jr is running for mayor against his friend. He has some threats against him so he asks the platypus police squad to protect him through the election

[Texas State Poder · Rating 5 out of 5]

-=+=-------------- :)--------------------------------------------------------
by:Jonathon-Villegas - ----------------------------------------------
This book was manly about two platypus that are POLICE and there trying yo protect a panda that was trying to become mayor witch during the middle part of the story he finally became mayor witch also at the same time everyone wanted him to be to be the mayor of the town also there was another person trying to become mayor witch everyone hatted hi because he was a dog first of all and people there did not like dogs.Now the next part will list the people in the story even the main charters,and will tell you how they feel me in side lost of the story and there emotions that they all have.
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Pandini-He is a very wise guy you could say because everyone liked him and also he was a good person to most people besides Mr.Govirn. Now during most of the story he was happy because he wanted mayor and most people that want to be mayor try to be happy because that way people think he is a good person and a wise person Now he was also happy during the story because during the middle part of the story he became mayor.That is Pandini's emotions and how he feels in the story
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Zengo-He is also a very wise guy as well as the other guy the oher guy in the story and he is also a duck you could say and he is a police officer. He is a really brave because he would save other people before he would save him self,once in the story he slid under a truck a big one ad saved someone els a then he hurt him self just to save someone ell. Thats how the story was and how people actd in the story.

[Erik This Kid Reviews Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis- Platypus Detective Rick Zengo doesn’t know what to think of the new addition to the detective squad. Or that she’s now partnered with HIS partner! But when Frank Pandini JR, candidate for mayor of Kalamazoo City, almost gets hit by a flying squirrel, Zengo gets assigned to be a second eye for Pandini. But something nutty is going on in Kalamazoo City, and it looks like the Platypus Police Squad will need all hands on deck to crack this case!

What I Thought- Mr. Krosoczka has written another fun kids’ book, starring our favorite crime-stopping platypi. It’s awesome how he writes what could be an intense, middle-grade/young-adult story into a graphic-novel-like early chapterbook/middle-grade for kids. The book is completely appropriate for younger readers. Boomerangs are the weapon of choice for the police force, and a night club is known for its root beer floats. The characters’ personalities are spot-on, and they create a sense of normality for the reader to connect with (if you can call an animal-driven city “normal”). I like Mr. Krosoczka’s black-and-white illustrations. They make the story that much more fun to read! I really like this book series!
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zengo and O’Malley are back with another mystery. Someone is threatening Frank Pandini, who is running for Mayor of Kalamazoo, Zengo is hired to protect him and O’Malley gets a new partner – a female detective named Jo Cooper. Pandini is basing his campaign on creating a “nut-free” city, so the obvious suspect is the owner of Nutter Nuts. But, is it him or is it his opponent – Rick McGovern? Zengo is trying to prove himself, but learns that it is good to have a partner you can count on, even if separated for the assignment.

Lots of clues, red herrings, and action to keep the story moving. Fans of the other two in the series will not be disappointed with this story. This also stands alone – so if you haven’t read the other two, you will still be able to follow the story.

Digital copy from Edelweiss.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Last Panda Standing, things take an interesting turn when Detective Rick Zengo is assigned to protect Pandini from an attacker as he runs for mayor. Zengo's doubts about Pandini's honesty start to waver a bit with Pandini's campaign promises. Not that he trusts the panda entirely, after all Pandini's father did order his grandfather's death. While Zengo works with Pandini, his partner O'Malley teams up with a new detective to hunt down the culprit. I didn't really expect this series to take the turn that it does in this book and while it makes for a more interesting series and creates more tension, I found it a bit irritating. The reason for that I can't say without spoiling the shocker at the end. But I am definitely cheering for the Platypus Police Squad to up the ante and take down the villains in future books.

[Daniel W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kalamazoo City needs a new Mayor and Frank Pandini and Patrick McGovern are both running! The elections seems to be going well until squirrel terrorists attempt to sabotage Pandini's campaign. Rick Zengo leaves his old partner Corey O'Malley to protect Pandini from further attacks. Corey O'Malley has a new partner, Jo Cooper. Their job is to find out who is responsible for these attacks. I'd recommend this book to anyone likes an easy read with some plot twists. If you haven't read the first and second book, I'd also recommend you read them before you read this book because then the story will make more sense.

[Rebecca]

When Kalamazoo City mayoral candidate Frank Pandini, Jr. is threatened by a mysterious boomerang attack, it is up to the Platypus Police Squad to protect Pandini and solve the case. With illustrations on nearly every page and a quick-moving plot, this action-packed story is a Law and Order script rewritten for ages 8-12. Last Panda Standing is the third book in the Platypus Police Squad series, but can stand alone. The cliffhanger at the end will surely draw in young readers for the next installment.

[Matt Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a really good book. I love the plot of it how it just makes me not want to stop reading it. It is a lot like the other books but i still love all of them. With all the action and the mystery and the twist that all of the people are animals makes a really good story. I would recommend this book to anyone who liked the other books in the series, if you haven't read the first books i wold start with them.

[Cheryl Gladfelter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good mystery/detective/noir story. This one starts out with an attack on a mayoral candidate and then rolls into the 'opening credits'--chapter one. From there the suspense heightens until the end. Spoilers alert: a late minute reveal had me gasp out loud and got me pumped up for the next in the series.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book from end page art to end page art! Jarrett has done it again! This is book 3 in the series, and they keep getting better. I couldn't put this down (no really! I kept reading at work, and instead of doing homework…) and wasn't disappointed. Quality wiring, story telling, and crime fiction style plot line. Loved it!!
I highly recommend this book!

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 11 year old gave it 3 stars and my youngest gave it 4. I think I might enjoy this series more than they do but I'm thankful that we've gotten this far. I wonder if we'll figure out Frank Pandini Jr's end game before they grow out of it completely.

[Mymcbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review: A fun book for kids who like to read crime fiction.


FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from HarperCollins in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.

[Mikey Golczynski · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read, just like the previous two in the series. I was looking for some closure to the Pandini/Zengo/O'Malley story arc in book three, but apparently we are going on. Hmm...

[Thomsen Lord · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Platypus Police Squad. I like Zengo.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty funny, but some issues with stereotyped characters.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to really enjoy this series. A new female detective and a new assignment for Zengo mix things up a bit, in a good way.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow,...the ending and the culprit really behind everything really got me. I look forward to the next installment of Platypus Police Squad.

[Kim Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Troy really liked it. He is enjoying the Platypus Police Squad books and will read them without complaint. That is a huge win. Troy wants to discuss them so now I am reading them too.

[Galion Public Library Teens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by A.H.: "It was a good mystery with funny characters."

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute read! I just love how the author writes and how silly these books are

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition to the series. My students love these.

[Candace Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun addition to the series.

[Gillian Dawson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Krosoczka, Jarrett Last Panda Standing (Platypus Police Squad #3) 234 pgs. Walden (Harper), 2015. $12.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G Violence: G

In this third book in the series, Detective Zengo is given the duty of guarding the businessman Frank Pandini Jr, whom, in the past he has seriously distrusted. Pandini is running for mayor. His campaign of improving the community become dangerous when he is attacked by a flying squirrel. Can Zengo do is guarding job while trying to solve the crime? Even worse, the partner he relies on, Detective O’Mally, has been given a new partner, Jo Cooper. Features cartoon like illustrations on many of the pages.

Again, this is a very traditional detective story with high level vocabulary. Because the people were replaced by animals, it makes it more appealing to student readers, but the wrong reading level of student readers. Students that are still into talking animal stories are much younger than this reading level. Now I do get some advanced younger readers, and this would be a great match. This book featured lots of fast paced action, car chases, helicopter scenes and danger.

EL –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.
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