Meet Teddy at FunJungle
Begin with Belly Up; later cases assume his relationships and earlier detective work.
Book Series · 10 Books
FunJungle Books
In order from Belly Up to Ape Escape.
Middle-school sleuth Teddy Fitzroy investigates crimes involving zoo animals, conservation, and the people around the enormous FunJungle theme park.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the FunJungle Books
Start with Belly Up and follow publication order through Ape Escape. Each central mystery stands alone, but Teddy's friendships, family, and detective experience develop across the series.
Sources: Simon & Schuster's FunJungle inventory.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
Animal deaths and endangered animals sometimes drive the mysteries. The books also include poaching, kidnapping, sabotage, criminal threats, dangerous wildlife, human injuries, and occasional discussion of murder. Humor keeps the tone adventurous, but sensitive animal lovers may find some premises upsetting.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$858
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010
Belly Up
By Stuart Gibbs
A hippo's suspicious death at FunJungle leads Teddy into a dangerous investigation.
294 pages· 64,074 words· Est. 9 hour read
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Twelve-year-old Teddy Fitzroy suspects foul play when Henry the hippo dies at FunJungle. With his daring friend Summer, he dives into a mystery filled with suspicious zoo officials and greedy owners. As they uncover secrets, Teddy faces threats that could make him the next target. Can they solve the case before more animals—or themselves—are in danger? The truth about hippo homicide might be more than they bargained for.
In reading order
FunJungle Series
10 books · Published 2010–2026
#1
Sale price
$858
Belly Up
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010
A hippo's suspicious death at FunJungle leads Teddy into a dangerous investigation.
#2
Sale price
$858
Poached
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014
A missing koala, a framed boy, and a race to uncover the truth.
#3
Sale price
$858
Big Game
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2015
A twelve-year-old boy investigates the attempted assassination of a pregnant rhinoceros at a Texas theme park.
#4
Sale price
$858
Panda-monium
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017
A giant panda vanishes, and a young sleuth must solve the mystery to protect his girlfriend.
#5
Sale price
$858
Lion Down
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019
A lion is framed for a dog's death. Can Teddy uncover the truth?
#6
Sale price
$858
Tyrannosaurus Wrecks
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2020
A dinosaur skull vanishes without a trace. Can Teddy solve the mystery?
#7
Sale price
$858
Bear Bottom
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021
Endangered bison vanish and a necklace disappears. Can Teddy solve the mystery before chaos reigns?
#8
Sale price
$1697
Whale Done
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023
A blown-up whale and stolen sand lead to unexpected mysteries on Malibu's beaches.
#9
Sale price
$1697
All Ears
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025
A missing elephant and a vandalism charge—can Teddy solve both mysteries before it's too late?
#10
Sale price
$1697
Ape Escape
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2026
A young detective races to save a kidnapped gorilla across perilous lands.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the FunJungle series?
There are 10 books in the FunJungle series. It began with Belly Up in 2010, and the newest book, Ape Escape, was published in 2026.
What order should you read the FunJungle books in?
Start with Belly Up and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #10.
What ages are the FunJungle books best for?
The series is best for ages 8–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring FunJungle to life.
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