WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NAKED MOLE RAT?

Carter’s class pet is dead, and he must figure out who’s to blame—with help from the ghost of the deceased creature.

This past weekend, Carter was watching the dearly departed animal, a naked mole rat named Mr. Pebbles. Unfortunately, he paid more attention to his video games than the little critter. Now he’s a suspect and is all the more anxious to clear his conscience. Let the funny, furless school-wide sleuthfest begin! Through the magic of a pendant that belonged to his grandmother, Carter soon acquires a partner in the form of the rodent’s floating spirit. For a creature often described as the world’s ugliest animal, Mr. Pebbles is pretty cute, broadcasting big emotions with wide eyes, boldly cartoonish eyebrows, and tremendous teeth, and he slowly divulges the memories necessary to puzzle out the cause of his passing while hovering over Carter’s shoulder as he questions his classmates. Pet death is treated lightly here, but the various experiences and personalities of Carter and his elementary school classmates are observed with affection and relatability. Energetic cartooning offers multiple angles on each scene and always keeps the story moving at a steady clip. Carter and his family are Black, and his peers and teachers are racially diverse. Final art not seen.

A lighthearted mystery with great fondness for its characters, be they alive or dead.