ALA Booklist (Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

There's a great deal going on plotwise in this sequel to Swindle (2008), and that's just how the legions of Korman fans like it. Once again, "The Man with the Plan" Griffin, animal expert Savannah and her Great Dane Luthor, and Everykid Ben join forces to solve a mystery. This time, they're out to rescue Savannah's pet monkey Cleo from an unethical zoo owner. When Cleo disappears from Savannah's backyard and is later spotted on a school field trip to a decrepit floating zoo, madcap plans and adventures ensue: getting to and from the zoo in the middle of the night; distracting Klaus, the overzealous security guard; springing Cleo from her cage; and ultimately stashing more than 40 freed zoo animals in classmates' houses without any parents noticing. Although often implausible, the action is fast and entertaining, with just the right amount of realistic drama to ring true. Korman knows his audience well, and readers will clamor for a third installment featuring these intrepid young crime solvers.

Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2010)

In this companion to Swindle, Griffin, Ben, and friends attempt to save a stolen monkey--and all the animals--from an unscrupulous floating-zoo owner. The kids' animal rescue goes sour after learning they must secretly board each escapee in their own homes. The story's plot moves at a fast clip, and animal lovers will relate to the friends' good intentions.

Kirkus Reviews

Griffin Bing, "The Man With The Plan," and his full complement of co-conspirators from Swindle (2008) are back. Animal whisperer Savannah's Capuchin monkey Cleopatra turns up missing, and a suspicious banana leads Savannah to the conclusion that Cleo's been monkey-napped. They find her in a run-down floating zoo, but adults and authorities are no help in getting the monkey back. Griffin already has worries enough, since his best bud, the narcoleptic Ben, is about to be shipped off to a special school for those with sleep disorders. Even so, everyone agrees to a plan to spring Cleo—but they end up having to spring the whole zoo. The plan to hide 40 animals from parents and police and Mr. Nastase, the awful zookeeper, only works for so long, prompting Griffin to move on to plan three.... Possibly more improbable and even sillier than the first, Korman's second tale of 11-year-old Mr. Fix-it Griffin and his friends is a page-turning adventure that reads like a Disney movie waiting to be made. The author's fans will be more than pleased, and those unfamiliar with the first will likely look it up. (Fiction. 9-12)

School Library Journal (Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Gr 5-7 The characters from Korman's Swindle (Scholastic, 2008) are reunited in this action-packed story. Eleven-year-old Savannah Drysdale's pet monkey has gone missing, and Savannah is sure that Cleo was stolen. On a class field trip aboard a floating animal zoo, she is convinced that the monkey in one of the exhibits is her pet. She enlists the help of her friend Griffin, known as the "Man With a Plan," to execute a zoo break. But, as Griffin knows, what looks good on paper doesn't always turn out quite as planned, especially when furry creatures are involved, and the rescuers end up with a lot more than they bargained for. Although the novel is heavy on plot and includes some very predictable bad guys, Korman manages to involve readers in the adventures of some likable young people who believe that they need to act, and not wait for adults to save the day. A satisfying read. Kathy Kirchoefer, Prince Georges County Memorial Library System, New Carrollton, MD

Voice of Youth Advocates (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Eleven-year-old Griffin Bing was known for being The Man with the Plan. So when his friend SavannahÆs pet monkey goes missing, she enlists his help in finding her. While on a school trip, they discover SavannahÆs beloved Cleopatra aboard a filthy floating zoo run by an unscrupulous zookeeper, Mr. Nastase (aka Mr. Nasty) and his gigantic security guard, Klaus. When no adults are able to prove the monkey is hers, Savannah prevails upon Griffin to come up with a rescue plan: he launches Operation Zoobreak. To complement his skills as a burglar and SavannahÆs expert animal knowledge, Griffin recruits an unlikely team that includes an accomplished climber, a computer wizard, a would-be actor, and the smallest kid in town. Like any good planner, Griffin is prepared for most contingencies, but what he does not count on is Savannah insisting that they rescue all of the animals on board. Heisting a monkey is one thing, but where can they stash the other forty animals without getting caught? Griffin realizes this turn of events might definitely require another plan, or perhaps even two. Korman again knocks it out of the park with his sequel to Swindle (Scholastic, 2008/ VOYA April 2008), which features the same rag-tag cast of misfit characters. Both children and adults will find the story fast moving and enjoyable. The often-unpredictable plot is interesting, full of humor, and good fun. This book should be highly appealing to middle school girls and boys. ùJudith Brink-Drescher.