Belly Up

Stuart Gibbs’s background as a biologist influenced Belly Up, and many of the novel’s hallmarks are seen in his later stories. The author is known for his fun, action-packed mystery and adventure books for middle grade readers. Belly Up, which debuted in 2010, was the author’s first published novel. Since then, Gibbs has penned five other series in addition to the FunJungle books—the Moon Base Alpha series, the Spy School series, the Charlie Thorne series, the Last Musketeer series, and the Once Upon a Tim series. Like Teddy Fitzroy, Gibbs’s protagonists tend to be plucky preteens who use their wits and daring to face perils and foil villainous plots. In addition, the writer’s academic background and experience working at a zoo add authentic detail to the setting of FunJungle.

Gibbs studied biology at the University of Pennsylvania. While working on his degree, he studied capybaras at the Philadelphia Zoo. Listening to the keepers describe what happens behind the scenes, Gibbs reached the realization that “a zoo was a fantastic place to set a story” (Gibbs, Stuart. “FAQ.” Stuart Gibbs, 2024). Teddy Fitzroy’s adventures also reflect the author’s values and his desire to form young people’s environmental ethics: “I am a huge supporter of the conservation movement and do my best in my books (particularly the FunJungle series) to educate readers about environmental issues” (Gibbs, Stuart. “I Am Pleased to Announce I Have Joined the Advisory Council of Conservation Nation.” Stuart Gibbs, 2021). In 2021, he joined the advisory board of Conservation Nation, an organization that provides financial support to “conservationists from underrepresented groups” and inspires “underserved high school students to explore careers in conservation” (“I Am Pleased to Announce”). Belly Up marked the beginning of Gibbs’s career as an author of middle grade adventure stories while drawing upon his lifelong love of animals.