Bubblegum Shoes: The Big Sleepover

Bubblegum Shoes #2

by Goldy Moldavsky

It's Marlowe Middle School's big sleepover, and the Bubblegum Shoes detectives must race to solve a blackmail case before lights out. From the New York Times bestselling author of Kill the Boy Band comes the second installment in this whip-smart, crime-solving series.

Crime doesn’t sleep…luckily neither do they.

Normally, Maya Mendoza wouldn't be caught dead at school on a Saturday, but it happens to be the most epic night Marlowe Middle’s big sleepover! The Bubblegum Shoes detective agency is taking a night off from solving cases to enjoy the Battle of the Bands, the all-you-can-eat candy, and the limited adult supervision...or so they thought.

When the girls learn classmate and rising YouTube star Hunter Holloway is being blackmailed to drop out of the singing competition, they have to help. But what was supposed to be an easy case quickly turns complicated when the Gumshoes discover an illegal pillow-fighting ring, battling Broadway divas, and counterfeit art—not to mention Hunter seems to be hiding a few secrets of his own.

Can these slumber party sleuths solve the case before the fun is over? Or will this sticky situation spell lights out for Hunter's career and the Bubblegum Shoes’ reputation?

A smart, sharp, and sensational second book in New York Times bestselling author Goldy Moldavsky's middle-school mystery series.

240 pages, Library Binding

Published July 14, 2026

About the author

Goldy Moldavsky was born in Lima, Peru, and grew up in Brooklyn, where she still lives. Her novels include the New York Times bestseller, KILL THE BOY BAND, the Publishers Weekly bestseller, THE MARY SHELLEY CLUB, and the upcoming OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS, and BUBBLEGUM SHOES. You can find her on X and Instagram @goldywrites.

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goldy Moldavsky never disappoints.

I’m always appreciative of authors who are truly funny who chose to put their talents towards kinds and young adult fiction. It’s so rare to see, and it gives us books like Moldavsky’s which are truly riotously funny rather than just “YA funny” or “KidLit funny.”

Plot-wise I’m less fond of this series than of Moldavsky’s YA novels, but they’re great for a tween audience and are well-structured enough as mysteries to be fun for adult readers.

The girls of the Bubblegum Shoes Detective Agency are a charming bunch, distinct from one another and quirky without being irritating.

The mystery itself is a bit predictable even for a kids book (the solve feels obvious from the jump), and that makes this a slightly lesser novel than the first in the series. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a good solve or the right one for the story, and of course, it’s the getting there that’s most of the fun.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking to add a middle-grade mystery to your library, the Bubblegum Shoes mystery series should be on your list. Although as a teacher I had a hard time envisioning a school-wide sleepover in middle school, the premise of social media, texting, videos, and AI along with blackmail and a talent show, all added up to an interesting plot. I think my middle-grade readers will enjoy reading this series.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2! It takes on more hijinx and tackles more things that students grade 4-6th will love!
I will come back to write more but with school starting and parents looking for fun lower middle grade books for grades 4-6, this is such a cute series! It still has the "voice" of the quirky extraordinary characters that young readers love but it gets a bit more into a solid plot. It combines the elements of older childrens reads with intro into the middle grade genre. Its such a great entry to sleuthing novels as well.
I am so thankful to have received complimentary physical copies from Random House Children's influencer Program.

While Book 1 introduces the reader to the characters and setting, they can absolutely be read as standalone mysteries.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bubblegum Shoes crew is back in a new mystery. Maya and her friends are at the annual school big sleepover when they are approached by a rising YouTube star who is being blackmailed so that he won't participate in the Battle of the Bands.

I liked this sequel although not quite as much as the first! Part of it was that the crew didn't investigate together a ton, and I missed their dynamic. I did think though it had a really good message about communicating with friends to create good relationships. The mystery itself wasn't the most surprising, but I am an adult so I could see middle grade students being more surprised by it.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Elise Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the first in the series, my daughter and I were so excited to return to Marlowe Middle School and follow this group of kids around again solving a case. She and I had various guesses throughout the story about who was guilty and it was so fun to read it aloud together. It's a perfect chapter book for an older elementary kid, but I was plenty interested in the plot and figuring out who was the blackmailer as well. Similar to the Contraband Closet, the themes of friendship were especially appreciated. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.