Module 8: Ace Lacewing: Bad Bugs Are My Business

· Book cover image:

                                           

    

· Book Summary:

Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective: Bad Bugs Are My Business by David Biedrzycki is another case for Ace to solve. This time Scratch Murphy has been robbed! As he, Scratch, was getting all his dough ready to pay his bank loan back to Mr. Hiss, the roach, someone conked him on the head and gave him a huge lump between his antennas. Now Scratch seeks help from Ace Lacewing, Xerces - his girl, and Zito - the Police Sergeant. After hearing Scratch Murphy’s events of his tragic misfortune, the trio ventures into Motham City to question likely suspects that might have pulled off this caper. First on the list is Mr. Hiss, the bank manager who suddenly came into some money by accident. Next to question was the head of the carpenter ants about the toolbox that hit Scratch on the head. Bo Weevil was visited next at his home as he raised his little boll weevils. With no luck finding the dough, the three all travel to Scratch’s Six Legs Park for clues about the missing money. The amusement park proves to be a wealth of clues and finally the culprit is there and (almost) caught stuffed handed.  

· APA Reference of Book:

Biedrzycki, D. (2009). Ace Lacewing, bug detective: Bad bugs are my business. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

· Impressions:

Not being a bug person, I was not attracted or enticed with the cutesy looking bugs in the book. I opened the book and then saw a map of a Motham the city. Now I was really in trouble. Most of the bugs I recognized, but some were new. Hmm, this could be interesting I thought. I closed the book. I returned to the book and studied the map more without going any further. I was curious to see where Six Legs Park was after I read the front book sleeve. How did this park fit into Motham City? Well I turned the page and was instantly captivated by the cutesy looking bugs going to the amusement park. The caterpillar buses lined up in front of the park were so true to life, literally. The bug families holding hands and pushing baby buggies. Too Cute! I read on. They had me at posters to read on the building’s walls and neon signs all leading to the “Fly Thru” service at Ace’s. I could not solve the mystery (but I am normally bad at solving any mystery). First I thought the girlfriend was certainly fooling around and with Scratch’s own twin! Then I felt sorry for her, because I did guess the fur coat was for Scratch. But for the life of me I could not figure out who did it. The illustrations were just delightful and the narrative drew the reader back into an old time caper just like Philip Marlowe, Dick Tracy,  or the detectives of Dragnet. Just using the word “caper” brings vivid memories of days gone by, simply like this book does.

· Professional Review:

Gr 2-4 -Ace Lacewing is back to solve another mystery. Scratch Murphy, the owner of Six Legs Park, is knocked unconscious by a falling toolbox-presumably the property of a disgruntled carpenter ant-and wakes to find his flea bag empty and his money gone. Ace discovers that his client has a lot of enemies, including a fly-by-night roach in the banking business; Scratch's twin brother, Scritch; and a weevil with over-the-top parenting skills. Ace's blue-eyed gal Xerces and Police Sergeant Zito "The Mosquito" are with him every step of the way. When the solution hits Ace "like a flyswatter," a run for the money ensues through the Termite Tower of Terror, Anteater Falls, and House of Mirrors. Ace's first-person narration and snappy dialogue are true to the hard-boiled detective genre, as is the cast of characters. The illustrations, done in pencil and digitally colored, fairly glow. The many insect references ("Flypaper Awareness Week" and "Keep Your Antennae and Legs Inside Ride") in the colorful spreads are a true delight. Mystery fans and insect enthusiasts will enjoy a one-on-one reading with plenty of time to savor the clever wordplay and insect-related details. They will also want to find Ace's first adventure, Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective (Charlesbridge, 2005).

Smith, M. J. (2009). Ace Lacewing, bug detective: Bad bugs are my business. School Library Journal, 55(7), 61.

· Library Uses:

In the library, the students will each pick a bug from the map of Motham City. There will be overlap of students per bug. The students will find websites and books about their bugs. They will create a bug museum with a pictorial of their bug and facts on the diagram. This display will be the presentation of the month for the library.