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

Childrens Fiction - Comic and Graphic Novels - Ages 6-8

Published: 7/15/2025

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?

AUTHOR BIO: 

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.

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