Grasshopper Jungle

Written by Andrew Smith

Teenagers unleash giant mantises, sparking chaos and survival in a small town.

3.6/5 Goodreads · 19,124 ratings

388 pages· 100,976 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

$18.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

In Ealing, Iowa, Austin and Robby accidentally release a swarm of giant, ravenous praying mantises. As these creatures threaten to end the world, the teens must navigate the chaos and their own coming-of-age dilemmas. With genetically modified corn and small-town struggles as a backdrop, this tale blends humor and horror, leaving readers questioning if survival is possible. Can Austin and Robby find a way to stop the invasion, or will their town become history? Dive into this thrilling, unpredictable adventure where teenage drama meets apocalyptic stakes.

From the publisher

A 2015 Michael L. Printz Honor BookWinner of the 2014 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction Grasshopper Jungle is a rollicking tale that is simultaneously creepy and hilarious. It s propulsive plot would be delightful enough on its own, but Smith s ability to blend teenage drama into a bug invasion is a literary joy to behold Smith may have intended this novel for young adults, but his technique reminds me of Kurt Vonnegut s in Slaughterhouse Five, in the best sense. “New York Times Book Review” In the small town of Ealing, Iowa, Austin and his best friend, Robby, have accidentally unleashed an unstoppable army. An army of horny, hungry, six-foot-tall praying mantises that only want to do two things. This is the truth. This is history. It s the end of the world. And nobody knows anything about it. You know what I mean. Funny, intense, complex, and brave, “Grasshopper Jungle” brilliantly weaves together everything from testicle-dissolving genetically modified corn to the struggles of recession-era, small-town America in this groundbreaking coming-of-age stunner from the author of “The Alex Crow”and “Winger.” “