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FunJungle #10
Ape Escape
In the tenth novel in New York Times bestselling author Stuart Gibbs’s FunJungle series, resident sleuth Teddy Fitzroy is on the case to rescue an abducted young gorilla!
When a baby gorilla is stolen from an orphanage in Rwanda, Teddy, his parents, and an old family friend find themselves in a race against time to save it. Teddy has to piece together clues to figure out where the little ape is being taken while traveling through some of the most incredible—and dangerous—terrain in the world.
At the same time, he’s long-distance consulting with Summer to help solve another mystery back at FunJungle. Between facing down lions on the Serengeti and chasing poachers through the bazaars of Zanzibar, will Teddy be able to find the baby gorilla before it’s too late?
When a baby gorilla is stolen from an orphanage in Rwanda, Teddy, his parents, and an old family friend find themselves in a race against time to save it. Teddy has to piece together clues to figure out where the little ape is being taken while traveling through some of the most incredible—and dangerous—terrain in the world.
At the same time, he’s long-distance consulting with Summer to help solve another mystery back at FunJungle. Between facing down lions on the Serengeti and chasing poachers through the bazaars of Zanzibar, will Teddy be able to find the baby gorilla before it’s too late?
320 pages, Hardcover
Published March 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 17, 2026
I have stuck with this series for the past 5 years! I absolutely love Stuart Gibbs writing. I am still shocked that he is on book 10 and the plots are still somewhat new. Of course there is only so much you can do.
I do believe that this series is definitely for younger readers, around the age I first started. But I’ve still enjoyed every book. Especially when Summer and Teddys “romance” is mentioned. When they almost broke up I was heartbroken 💔
Everything ended up okay though and I recommend this series for 8-12 year olds.
I do believe that this series is definitely for younger readers, around the age I first started. But I’ve still enjoyed every book. Especially when Summer and Teddys “romance” is mentioned. When they almost broke up I was heartbroken 💔
Everything ended up okay though and I recommend this series for 8-12 year olds.
March 26, 2026
An exciting, fast paced caper that brings Teddy and his parents to Africa! This was a fun mystery, or should I say mysteries, as Teddy and his parents are searching for a stolen gorilla while his friends back at Funjungle are searching for the culprit in the case of missing ducklings. My family and I listened to the audiobook from start to finish today as we were driving from New York to Chicago. We all enjoyed it! And as a school librarian this series is one that hooks virtually every reader. Five stars!
May 16, 2026
My kids are a fans of the fun jungle series and we have read every one. This one… felt a little problematic. Teddy’s family travels to Africa to attend the funeral for his parents’ old research aide, Jadeem. Spoiler alert ( though this is revealed in the first couple of chapters) Jadeem is not dead. His parents act kind of annoyed and dismissive of their supposedly beloved old friend, someone they had met as a child and trained to become a primatologist. Teddy sweeping in to solve the mystery feels a little “white savior”. The local park guides’ impressive, abilities, in tracking the animals and the poachers are mentioned, but not particularly highlighted. While there are a few points tossed in, this trip to Africa feels like a missed opportunity for meaningful commentary about the ongoing exploitation of Africa’s resources and people for the middle grade audience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2026
Ape Escape… where do I start?
Let me start by saying this book was NOT AT ALL a flop… other authors have tried to write books on a book series that are dead to no avail. FunJungle was never dead, and Stuart Gibbs did an amazing job of keeping it that way.
There is a clear plot, new characters introduced, and an enticing plot, which is all you can really ask from a book, right?
Not a book That I absolutely need, but definitely to-read if you have read the other series books.
This book earned a 4/5 stars from me.
Let me start by saying this book was NOT AT ALL a flop… other authors have tried to write books on a book series that are dead to no avail. FunJungle was never dead, and Stuart Gibbs did an amazing job of keeping it that way.
There is a clear plot, new characters introduced, and an enticing plot, which is all you can really ask from a book, right?
Not a book That I absolutely need, but definitely to-read if you have read the other series books.
This book earned a 4/5 stars from me.
May 16, 2026
Stuart Gibbs just always writes a great book. There were two mysteries that where sliced in this book. Two parts of s bigger problem which was explored. I love the way he can teach you so much by making you invested in Teddy's mysteries. Leaving you happy with the book you read but educate you so much and make you think wait what can I do about it and then give you a little information about how you can help at the end. I love this series.
May 23, 2026
If I could give this 100 stars I would! Another great story in the FunJungle series! One of my favorite children’s series!
You learn about endangered animals, at the same time solving a mystery!
This one had me teary-eyed near the end when the baby gorilla was brought back home and to her handler! 🥹
If you like animal and learning about them, solving puzzles, and books that make you laugh and are light hearted, this series is for you!
You learn about endangered animals, at the same time solving a mystery!
This one had me teary-eyed near the end when the baby gorilla was brought back home and to her handler! 🥹
If you like animal and learning about them, solving puzzles, and books that make you laugh and are light hearted, this series is for you!
May 7, 2026
TW: animal abuse, guns, car accident
Yayyyy I finally finished this series! This was a good edition! I liked the new settings of the African countries, but I did miss Fun Jungle and its characters too. I also thought the ending was kind of abrupt, but not a big deal. The only question now is: Moon Base Alpha or Spy School next?
[Elementary-middle school]
*audio*
Yayyyy I finally finished this series! This was a good edition! I liked the new settings of the African countries, but I did miss Fun Jungle and its characters too. I also thought the ending was kind of abrupt, but not a big deal. The only question now is: Moon Base Alpha or Spy School next?
[Elementary-middle school]
*audio*
April 18, 2026
This was great. Lots of information and I loved the chase. These books are awesome and so much fun. Happy Reading :)
May 15, 2026
Super great book.
May 24, 2026
The fun jungle books are always a hit with my kids. Made a 12 hr driving day more enjoyable for the whole family
June 18, 2026
Teddy helps to solve not one, but TWO mysteries in APE ESCAPE. It was cool to have most of this story take place in Africa. I appreciated the author’s note’s focus on the importance of including Africans in solving the crime and tracking down the lost gorilla. Another success from Stuart Gibbs!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
FunJungle is one of my favorite series and this one took it to another level!
We follow Teddy and his parents to Rwanda! Some bad news takes them there but once there theybfeel something isn't right and start to investigate which takes them on an adventure to several regions/countries in Africa!
Love how the book warns about the danger, shows and names the wildlife, condemns poaching while also shedding light to the poverty of the people all while still keeping the story fun and exciting.
Also love that while Teddy wasnt around at FunJungle, he still kept in touch with Summer and was trusted to consult on a mystery there!
I had so much fun reading this and learning and love how confident and trusted Teddy has become in his small little community of animal lovers/workers. Stuart Gibbs did it again! I love this series 😍
We follow Teddy and his parents to Rwanda! Some bad news takes them there but once there theybfeel something isn't right and start to investigate which takes them on an adventure to several regions/countries in Africa!
Love how the book warns about the danger, shows and names the wildlife, condemns poaching while also shedding light to the poverty of the people all while still keeping the story fun and exciting.
Also love that while Teddy wasnt around at FunJungle, he still kept in touch with Summer and was trusted to consult on a mystery there!
I had so much fun reading this and learning and love how confident and trusted Teddy has become in his small little community of animal lovers/workers. Stuart Gibbs did it again! I love this series 😍
April 27, 2026
Another fantastic book by Stuart Gibbs! The FunJungle series might be my new favorite series of all time!
June 22, 2026
When the Fitzroys get news that a young man who partnered with Mrs. Fitzroy on her research with gorillas in Rwanda and with whom the Fitzroys were very close has disappeared and is presumed dead, they jump on an airplane to go to Jadim's memorial. But when they get to the park headquarters in Rwanda they discover that Jadim is fine, he's just been hiding in the jungle trying to protect a family of gorillas from poachers (and keep himself and his girlfriend safe from them). But the poachers don't give up and snatch an orphaned baby gorilla from park headquarters while the Fitzroys are out with a guide finding Jadim. Soon, they are on a cross-continent chase trying to rescue the baby gorilla before the poachers can get her shipped out of Africa. Meanwhile, back in FunJungle, Summer and Xavier have taken over investigating why wild ducklings are disappearing from a pond in FunJungle.
This was my favorite FunJungle in quite a while. I really liked how the mystery took us through several countries in Africa and how Teddy's comments on cell phone signals in the Serengeti being stronger than parts of Texas and other things help demonstrate how Africa isn't the backwards place many portray it to be. It was also fun to vicariously explore the jungles of Rwanda, the vast Serengeti, and Zanzibar through this mystery adventure. I thought Gibbs' writing prowess was particularly on display in the way Teddy managed phone calls with his friends in Texas and talking about their investigation while at the same time describing chase scenes across African wilderness and not making it confusing. It was very realistic in that multiple things are happening at once, but so rarely done well in kids lit. I also like how Gibbs had Africans involved in helping solve the case, and a neurodivergent employee at FunJungle involved in even noticing that ducklings were disappearing in the first place. Both mysteries highlight the problems of the black market exotic pet trade and help make readers more aware of these issue and gives them tips of how to be part of the solution in the back of the book. There's also a lot of great information about gorillas and other African wildlife and I learned a thing or two along the way. It was an exciting read, very engaging, and also helps readers be more informed world citizens and animal lovers. An all around win.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: The poachers threatened Jadim and he defended himself with a machete which cut one of the poachers. Another poacher is bitten. There is danger from lions and a fire at one point.
Ethnic diversity: There are numerous Black African characters from Rwanda, Uganda, Zanzibar and more of Africa. Teddy and his family are white Americans.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: animal kidnapping and exotic pet trafficking
This was my favorite FunJungle in quite a while. I really liked how the mystery took us through several countries in Africa and how Teddy's comments on cell phone signals in the Serengeti being stronger than parts of Texas and other things help demonstrate how Africa isn't the backwards place many portray it to be. It was also fun to vicariously explore the jungles of Rwanda, the vast Serengeti, and Zanzibar through this mystery adventure. I thought Gibbs' writing prowess was particularly on display in the way Teddy managed phone calls with his friends in Texas and talking about their investigation while at the same time describing chase scenes across African wilderness and not making it confusing. It was very realistic in that multiple things are happening at once, but so rarely done well in kids lit. I also like how Gibbs had Africans involved in helping solve the case, and a neurodivergent employee at FunJungle involved in even noticing that ducklings were disappearing in the first place. Both mysteries highlight the problems of the black market exotic pet trade and help make readers more aware of these issue and gives them tips of how to be part of the solution in the back of the book. There's also a lot of great information about gorillas and other African wildlife and I learned a thing or two along the way. It was an exciting read, very engaging, and also helps readers be more informed world citizens and animal lovers. An all around win.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: The poachers threatened Jadim and he defended himself with a machete which cut one of the poachers. Another poacher is bitten. There is danger from lions and a fire at one point.
Ethnic diversity: There are numerous Black African characters from Rwanda, Uganda, Zanzibar and more of Africa. Teddy and his family are white Americans.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: animal kidnapping and exotic pet trafficking
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I feel like these books get better every time Mr. Gibbs writes a new one. I love all the animal facts he manages to stuff into the story while educating the reader without making it feel pedantic. He makes gorillas extremely relatable for his audience and there is no way not to root for Teddy to find the villain and take them down!
Teddy Fitzroy is just starting a new case at FunJungle, where baby ducklings are disappearing from the children's zoo pond. The ducks are not members of the zoo but a janitor notices their number declining and enlists Teddy to find out if someone is stealing them. However, before he can begin a proper investigation, Teddy's family receives news that a beloved family friend has died and they must journey to Rwanda for his memorial. During this journey, a baby gorilla is kidnapped by poachers and Teddy's family is on the case to track the missing ape and bring her home safe again.
It is a race across Africa to save the missing gorilla, through the Serengetti, across Tanzania and onto Zanzibar, all the while running from lions, wildebeest and angry bystanders. It's truly an adventure and a delightful one at that.
I strongly recommend these if you are fans of the FunJungle series already, or if this is the first one you start with. It's good to start at the beginning but this could be a standalone in terms of just the journey and plot itself. Absolutely thrilling for readers young and old.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Teddy Fitzroy is just starting a new case at FunJungle, where baby ducklings are disappearing from the children's zoo pond. The ducks are not members of the zoo but a janitor notices their number declining and enlists Teddy to find out if someone is stealing them. However, before he can begin a proper investigation, Teddy's family receives news that a beloved family friend has died and they must journey to Rwanda for his memorial. During this journey, a baby gorilla is kidnapped by poachers and Teddy's family is on the case to track the missing ape and bring her home safe again.
It is a race across Africa to save the missing gorilla, through the Serengetti, across Tanzania and onto Zanzibar, all the while running from lions, wildebeest and angry bystanders. It's truly an adventure and a delightful one at that.
I strongly recommend these if you are fans of the FunJungle series already, or if this is the first one you start with. It's good to start at the beginning but this could be a standalone in terms of just the journey and plot itself. Absolutely thrilling for readers young and old.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2026
APE ESCAPE continues the FunJungle series with a new mystery for Teddy to solve. This time, the action shifts to Africa as Teddy works with his family and a family friend in Rwanda and across the Serengeti to piece together clues and track down a baby gorilla kidnapped by poachers. Meanwhile, his girlfriend Summer is back in Texas at FunJungle, trying to figure out who or what is behind baby ducklings going missing from the pond in the children’s zoo. Between consulting with Summer via FaceTime, navigating the remote terrain of the Serengeti, and evading both dangerous animals and humans, Teddy has his hands full!
Once again Stuart Gibbs has crafted an adventure-filled mystery that also addresses important issues, this time focusing on animal trafficking. Information about poaching and trafficking is thoughtfully woven into the story, as are plenty of facts about the wildlife Teddy and his family encounter during their quest. Fans of the FunJungle series will be delighted to devour this one!
Once again Stuart Gibbs has crafted an adventure-filled mystery that also addresses important issues, this time focusing on animal trafficking. Information about poaching and trafficking is thoughtfully woven into the story, as are plenty of facts about the wildlife Teddy and his family encounter during their quest. Fans of the FunJungle series will be delighted to devour this one!
March 25, 2026
Ape Escape (funjungle #10) by Stuart Gibbs, 304 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2026. $18
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (animal abuse, some danger)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
When Teddy’s family gets the news that a good friend, Jadim, of theirs has died in Rwanda, they head to the airport for the funeral. Instead, once they land, they find that he is in hiding because his life was threatened by gorilla poachers. When an orphaned baby gorilla is abducted right from the sanctuary, the family and Jadim head off across Africa in pursuit.
Gibbs does such a great job with his funjunge books - keeping a heightened sense of danger and adventure, while also including factually based information about the ways animals, in this any African animal, might be endangered.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (animal abuse, some danger)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
When Teddy’s family gets the news that a good friend, Jadim, of theirs has died in Rwanda, they head to the airport for the funeral. Instead, once they land, they find that he is in hiding because his life was threatened by gorilla poachers. When an orphaned baby gorilla is abducted right from the sanctuary, the family and Jadim head off across Africa in pursuit.
Gibbs does such a great job with his funjunge books - keeping a heightened sense of danger and adventure, while also including factually based information about the ways animals, in this any African animal, might be endangered.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In this 10th book of the FunJungle series, Teddy and his parents are in Africa investigating a suspicious death and stolen gorilla. Back home in Texas, Summer and Xavier are investigating the mysterious disappearance of ducklings from FunJungle. As much as I love the FunJungle series (and really everything by Gibbs), this book felt like it was combining two plots into one storyline, which made it less cohesive. The mystery in Africa could have easily been the one plot covered, rather than adding in the missing ducklings component. I kept thinking that the two plots would converge at some point and they never did, so why the need to include them both? Still, this was a fun, quick read, and is a good addition to the series. I also enjoyed the new setting in Africa.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My 11 year old daughter and I have been flying through this series at the pace of a couple of books per week so we were very excited to discover that the 10th book was being released. We have read all of Stuart Gibbs' titles, and this series has hands down been our favorite. The combination of humor, mystery, problem solving and animals is a home run for her (she wants to be a veterinarian). The African setting in Ape Escape was her favorite part, It made her more curious about other parts of the world.
Thank you to Simon Kids and NetGalley for an eARC of Ape Escape. Publication Date: March 24, 2026.
Thank you to Simon Kids and NetGalley for an eARC of Ape Escape. Publication Date: March 24, 2026.
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May 10, 2026
Teddy is off to Africa introducing us to a mystery abroad and back home. I really love that Stuart Gibbs crafts engaging mysteries while also looping in important information about animals and conservation without it feeling education. The flow of his writing just works and the pacing/reveals are perfect. As is the realism facing our animals and those who try to protect them. A host of characters with a variety of personality also adds nice elements to the story as it evolves.
This is such a fun series and each book gets better and better! I can't wait to see where Teddy goes next.
Thank you Simon Kids for the gifted copy.
This is such a fun series and each book gets better and better! I can't wait to see where Teddy goes next.
Thank you Simon Kids for the gifted copy.
May 26, 2026
Teddy and his parents are off to Rwanda to mourn the loss of a beloved colleague. They realize that there are gorilla poachers at work and a baby gorilla has been stolen. They are on the case! I love that Teddy actually teams up with his parents on this one instead of working behind their backs - and the plight of all these animals that are being stolen and sold on the animal black market needs to keep being highlighted. A second mystery that Summer is working on back at FunJungle is also fun but distracting at times. I wanted to know about both but they weren't directly related, so I kept getting taken out of one story for the other. Still thoroughly enjoyable.
April 17, 2026
Ape Escape is the 10th book of the FunJungle series, but the first for me! And although I haven't read the previous nine books, that didn't stop me from enjoying this one because each book has its own complete story.
The combination of mystery, adventure, humor and animal facts makes this a fantastic read.
As readers follow the adventure of Teddy and his parents in Africa - who are saving a baby gorilla from poachers - facts about animals of Africa pop up and add an extra layer of interest.
Plus in this book the author highlights the serious problem of trafficking animals.
The combination of mystery, adventure, humor and animal facts makes this a fantastic read.
As readers follow the adventure of Teddy and his parents in Africa - who are saving a baby gorilla from poachers - facts about animals of Africa pop up and add an extra layer of interest.
Plus in this book the author highlights the serious problem of trafficking animals.
June 20, 2026
The investigation starts with Teddy being notified that his best friend, Jadim has died, this interrupted the ongoing investigation about the ducklings dissapearing at the children's zoo pond.
Teddy then goes to Rwanda to attend Jadim's funeral, but before that they go to the funeral they go see the gorillas and find out that Jadim faked his death to hide from poachers who wanted to steal a baby gorilla. Then they go track the poachers and they find them in the Serengeti, who tell them that the gorilla is heading to Zanzibar so they fly there and catch the poacher and rescue the gorilla.
Teddy then goes to Rwanda to attend Jadim's funeral, but before that they go to the funeral they go see the gorillas and find out that Jadim faked his death to hide from poachers who wanted to steal a baby gorilla. Then they go track the poachers and they find them in the Serengeti, who tell them that the gorilla is heading to Zanzibar so they fly there and catch the poacher and rescue the gorilla.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2026
Not my favorite in the series, but I remain indebted to Stuart Gibbs for creating a universe that my daughter loves so much, and I manifested that by running to the bookstore to buy this as soon as it was available.
My daughter even took my wife's phone, pretended to be her, and send me a text "Hey can you check if indigo has a book called ape escape for riri? if not she wants to go this weekend"
I am not mad at that at all.
My daughter even took my wife's phone, pretended to be her, and send me a text "Hey can you check if indigo has a book called ape escape for riri? if not she wants to go this weekend"
I am not mad at that at all.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I had never heard of this series until I saw this particular book! As someone who loves apes and the study of primatology, my attention went right to here even though this is a mystery about a kidnapped ape in Rwanda! I definitely would love to read the rest of this series! Great writing, storytelling and perfect for any ages and not just children.
June 4, 2026
Yes, this is a book for like 5th graders, and yes, I still read it 😅.
It wasn't as good as some of the other Stuart Gibbs books, and this series is getting to the point where it needs some kind of finale or closure, as fun as they are to read. The plots aren't as exciting anymore and it feels a little dragged out. However, I still enjoyed finishing it in one (very short) sitting.
It wasn't as good as some of the other Stuart Gibbs books, and this series is getting to the point where it needs some kind of finale or closure, as fun as they are to read. The plots aren't as exciting anymore and it feels a little dragged out. However, I still enjoyed finishing it in one (very short) sitting.
December 9, 2025
Another great FunJungle mystery! Teddy and his parents head back to Africa, where they become embroiled in a Gorilla poaching plot. They chase the poachers from Rwanda, across the Serengeti, all the way to Zanzibar. Back home in Texas, Summer and Xavier are solving a mystery of their own. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up. It doesn't have to be read in order, but it's better if you do.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you enjoy a good mystery and have a love of animals this is the book for you. Another installment in the FunJungle series will not disappoint. Keeping a gorilla safe and rescuing it from poachers will lead you on a wild ride rooting for the safety of all those involved.
March 27, 2026
I loved it! It wasn’t as great as the other ones though… I really liked the fake death plot twist, but there doesn’t seem to be as much action. I think the stolen duckling part was really boring, and definitely could’ve been made more interesting. Overall, though, it was great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2026
My daughter and I have really enjoyed all the FunJungle books. I was a little disappointed in this one since it wasn't located at FunJungle. There wasn't enough Summer, Marge, and the rest of the gang.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews