What Happened to the Naked Mole Rat?: A Graphic Novel - Class Pet Ghost Detective by Akeem S Roberts

About the Book

Eight-year-old Carter teams up with the ghost of his class pet, Mr. Pebbles, to solve the mystery of the mole rat's death and clear his name after being blamed for it.

Book Synopsis

The first book in a funny supernatural graphic novel series for early readers about an eight-year-old boy who solves mysteries with the ghost of his former class pet.

Mr. Pebbles is dead, and everyone thinks it's Carter's fault!

When Carter's third-grade class accuses him of killing the class pet, a naked mole rat named Mr. Pebbles who shivers a lot and smells a little funny, can Carter clear his name . . . with the help of Mr. Pebbles's ghost?

Review Quotes

Praise for Class Pet Ghost Detective: What Happened to the Naked Mole Rat by Akeem S. Roberts:

"Roberts lightens the pet-death theme with lots of comedy . . . the over-the-top facial expressions and reactions will likely find an audience with young manga fans."
--Booklist

"An amiably silly tale with a confident Black boy at its center . . . This series starter will appeal to fans of the gentle action, mild mystery, and clever humor in Jamieson's The Great Pet Escape."
--BCCB

"Just when you think every school story has been done before, here comes this new series to set you straight."
--100 Scope Notes Blog

"Mysteries, ghosts, and classroom chaos? Count us in. This early graphic novel is spooky fun with heart."
--Barbershop Books, Inc. nonprofit

"[An] engaging mystery graphic novel for your growing readers ages 6 to 9...CLASS PET GHOST DETECTIVE is a punchy mystery... The story has great male and female characters, expressive art, and fun banter--definitely a worthwhile read for fans of comedy or mystery."
--Imagination Soup

"A fun early reader graphic novel young readers will enjoy. (Ages 6-8)"
--Kidsbookshelf.com

Praise for J.D. and the Great Barber Battle, illustrated by Akeem S. Roberts:

★ "This is authentic storytelling, supported by Roberts' vigorous cartoons--full of styles that are straight fire."
--Kikus Reviews, starred review

"Akeem S. Roberts' cartoon-style illustrations of J.D. and his friends are packed with personality and make this a great choice for readers transitioning into chapter books...feels like a winner."
--BookPage

"I love that level of cartoon quality to his artwork that felt like the best compliment to J. Dillard's writing."
--BlackNerdProblems.com

"I got really attached to his style in the book too. Mr. Roberts has an animation background, and you can tell. Animators, after all, have a tendency to distinguish themselves when they illustrate books."
--Betsy Bird, School Library Journal Fuse 8 Blog

About the Author

Akeem S. Roberts is the illustrator of the J.D. the Kid Barber chapter book series, which was a School Library Journal Best Book of 2021, a Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2021, a Charlotte Huck Award Honor recipient, and a Texas Bluebonnet Master List selection. He has worked as an illustrator for Hasbro (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic) and as a cartoonist for The New Yorker. The Class Pet Ghost Detective series is his author-illustrator debut. Visit Akeem at AkeemTeam.com to see more of his work.