From Jarrett J. Krosoczka comes Last Panda Standing, the third installment in the hilarious, high-action illustrated middle grade series featuring two platypus detectives, perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, and Jarrett's own Lunch Lady series. The Kalamazoo City mayoral race is heating up, and Frank Pandini Jr. has been threatened by a mysterious assailant. He requests a special Platypus Police Squad protection detail: Detective Rick Zengo. This leaves O'Malley to be partnered up with Jo Cooper, the newest detective on the force. Can Zengo get to the bottom of the attacks—without O'Malley backing him up? Buddy Cop Comedy: Detective Zengo is the eager rookie. Detective O’Malley is the grumpy old-timer. Together, they’re the best darn cops in Kalamazoo City. - New Partner Drama: When Zengo is assigned to protect a mayoral candidate, O’Malley gets a new partner: the tough-as-nails Special Investigator Jo Cooper. - Political Mystery: Who is the boomerang-wielding assailant trying to take down mayoral candidate Frank Pandini Jr.? Zengo is on the case, but this time he’s flying solo. - Illustrated Chapter Book: Packed with hilarious, high-action illustrations on nearly every page, making it a perfect read for fans of Wimpy Kid and Big Nate. Gr 3–5—Krosoczka brings his trademark whimsy to this animal-studded police procedural. The Platypus Police Squad faces yet another adventure when Detective Rick Zengo is tasked with protecting the life of mayoral candidate Frank Pandini Jr., who was recently attacked—and finding out who's to blame. With detective lingo, standard genre tropes, stock characters, and chapter headings with times and locations à la Law & Order, this light take on the hardboiled mystery is perfect for future fans of the genre. Praise for Platypus Police Squad: “Krosoczka’s copious use of spot art pulls the story along (not that the lightning-fast plot needs the help), while the tongue-in-cheek appropriation of the tropes of whodunits make this a catch for kids who will want to crack the case alongside Zengo.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Burgeoning with detective clichés, affable characters, and lots of cartoon art, the book will be popular with Krosoczka’s fans and amateur sleuths not ready for a darker thriller.” - School Library Journal “These duck-billed detectives really deliver!” - Dav Pilkey, creator of Captain Underpants From the Files of the Platypus Police Squad Case #1998 Detectives of record: Rick Zengo and Corey O'Malley The Kalamazoo City mayoral race is heating up, and Frank Pandini Jr. has been threatened by a mysterious assailant. He requests a special Platypus Police Squad protection detail: Detective Rick Zengo—which leaves O'Malley to be partnered up with Jo Cooper, the newest detective on the force. Can Zengo get to the bottom of the attacks—without O'Malley backing him up? Jarrett J. Krosoczka , known since boyhood as “JJK,” is the New York Times bestselling author-illustrator behind more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the Star Wars: Jedi Academy series, and Hey, Kiddo , which was a National Book Award finalist. In addition to his work in print, Krosoczka produced, directed, and performed in the award-winning, full-cast audiobook adaptations of his graphic novels. Krosoczka has delivered three TED Talks, which have accrued millions of views online. Krosoczka has garnered millions more views online via the comics tutorials he has produced for YouTube and TikTok. As well as working on his books’ film and television adaptations, Krosoczka has written for The Snoopy Show (Apple TV+) and served as a consultant for Creative Galaxy (Prime Video). Krosoczka lives in western Massachusetts.