The Sewer Rat Stink

Geronimo Stilton Graphic Novel #1

by Geronimo Stilton, Elisabetta Dami, Tom Angleberger (Illustrations)

You've never seen Geronimo Stilton like this before!
A stinky smell is taking over New Mouse City! No mouse can live like this! Geronimo and his best friend Hercule, the private detective, head underground into the sewer world of Mouse Island to investigate. Can they save the city from the stench?

This is all-new Geronimo Stilton as interpreted by author, artist, and longtime fan Tom Angleberger. Tom is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Humor, Childrens, Comics, Animals, Mystery, Middle Grade

208 pages, Hardcover

First published May 5, 2020

About the author

A pseudonym of Elisabetta Dami, see also Tea Stilton.

Elisabetta Dami is an Italian author that currently resides in Italy. She is the author of the Geronimo Stilton series, a bestselling childrens book. She enjoys traveling the world seeking ideas for her series. She writes under a pseudonym of Geronimo Stilton. She is also a co-owner of Italian based publishing company Edizioni Piemme.

Reviews

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geronimo Stilton lives in New Mouse City and he is the publisher of The Rodent's Gazette. When a nasty stink covers the New Mouse City, all it's residents start to sell off their properties and move away from the city and it Geronimo also thinks of leaving but then he gets chased by a banana tree but the banana tree turns out to be his old pal Hercule Poirot.

Hercule wants to investigate and convinces Geronimo as well and they end up down in the sewers and find out that the sewer rats have stunk the New Mouse City and forced the residents to sell and the sewer rats bought the place with their fake money. Their queen wants to marry Hercule but Geronimo and Hercule together evade her and New Mouse City is saved. All the residents return and Geronimo and Hercule are hailed as heroes.

I had always wanted to read these books as I have heard great things. It started off really well and funny but didn't engage me as much as I had hope it to and also the plot felt like going in one direction but ended up in another. Humor felt a little forced but the illustrations were nice.

2.5-3 stars

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filled with humor and clever puns that will appeal to its intended audience, this graphic novel version of an updated Geronimo Stilton will lure many youngsters into reading. Geronimo watches as a terrible smell overtakes New Mouse City, causing many of its businesses and inhabitants to flee and sell their properties to a willing buyer. Along with his friend, Hercule, the animals investigate and end up deep below the city in its sewer system. As bad as that might sound, they also become the objects of affection for some desperate women, one of whom is the queen. And they meet Bruno, a larger-than-life cockroach. SHUDDER! Youngsters will be highly entertained by Geronimo's antics and the two friends' eventual escape while being deliciously grossed out by the sewer's filth and smell. Poor Geronimo needs to take several baths and showers to rid himself of the odor, particularly since he and Hercule were sprayed with all sorts of pungent fragrances in preparation for a wedding. Readers looking for some easy laughs will find it here in this first book in a planned series.

[Mrs. Mazzola · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. This reimagined version of Geronimo Stilton is like the original stories and Dog Man had a baby. The illustration style is not my favorite and the vocabulary highlighting from the chapter books gets lost in this version, but I think it will still attract new readers who like the format, but may not have picked up the originals.

*Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for a digital copy. All opinions are my own.*

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this for my 8 year old son. He devoured it. Then he asked me to read it to him a couple of days later. He thinks it's hilarious. I'm not a huge Geronimo Stilton fan, but I actually liked this graphic novel format. I had fun reading and laughing with my son.

[Lukas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a funny graphic novel that makes me want to read the second one right as it comes out!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s alright. A little weird. Definitely solely for kids. Kids who like potty humour would love this.

[Shantosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a good book!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from Scholastic Press through Edelweiss Plus.
A new series for younger readers that includes the regular cast of characters. This time Geronimo and Hercule must solve the mystery of the horrible stink in New Mouse City so everyone will move back home. Readers join them on their adventure in the sewers where they encounter an underground city run that created the plot to force out the inhabitants so they can take over and rule the world.
Plenty of humor for readers of all ages. Captures the spirit of the original series.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This new graphic novel adaptation of the ever-popular Geronimo Stilton series is a super simple read and clearly targeted at the reluctant and/or young reader. The illustrations are bold, colorful, and true to the artwork in the more novel-like versions and like the print variation prevalent in the first format, will appeal to readers grades 1-4. Graphic novel readers in higher grades may select this one in their never-ending search for something new in the 741.5 area of the library, but may not choose a second one. The storyline contains few surprises and little character development and the sentence structure and vocabulary is likely to be viewed by even struggling tween readers as too immature for them. Libraries will a high readership in any of the many Stilton books and/or in the graphic novels should still consider adding this one. Interesting observation: The speech bubbles for Geronimo are in one color and other characters' speech bubbles are in a different one. Subtle choice that will help young readers track who is doing the talking even if they are not consciously aware of that feature.

[Trinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard of this book on Twitter when it went viral for the unfamiliar design. In the beginning I was scared to read the book because I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the book was overall great. The book is about Geronimo and his friend, Hercule, figuring out what horrible smell has cause all the citizens of New Mouse City to flee. They go and discover an underground world with Sewer Rats and their Queen, Trashfur Sparkles the Thirteenth, who refuse to let Geronimo and Hercule escape. Overall it is a great book for someone who is familiar with the original Stilton books. The one thing I will say is style of the comic book could have been better because it was a little corny. Nonetheless, a wonderful, kid-friendly book!

[Artworksbytinghy]

Dear G. Stilton, I really love this book but after the part when the Sewer Rat Queen said when she throws her bouquet someone will marry you. I also expected that someone will marry you actually. Also I'm very sorry if you think I'm rude but I think you will be DOOMED for the rest of your life and I don't want that to happen. You are my favourite author and so is Thea! I love Thea's adventures! You also inspired me to make a website.


Love, Artworksbytinghy

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geronimo Stilton is highly popular at my elementary school library - the graphic novels especially. Just got this in my Scholastic box and I must admit I enjoyed it. The antics between GS and Hercule Poirat are hysterical. And when school returns in person, this will be a highly popular check-out.

[Carly Lozdoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmen (age 6) - Favorite part was when the Queen wanted to maker Hercule. Also, when Hercule called Geronimo, Gerry Berry. AND, when they paid $50 for a clothes pin to block the stink from their noses!

Mac (age 4) - loved the song & the part about yellow teeth!

We are looking forward to the next book in February!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The theme of the story is world domination a queen and her minions are sinking up the sewers. They make all the rodents leave but, geronimo and his friend solve the mystery. The goal of the queen was to make all the rodents leave for her to the queen and setal their stuff. The queen is also in love with Hercules and the rest of the girl rodents are fighting for geronimo......

[Joshua Glasgow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very confused when we finished this book and it was advertising a whole slew of additional Geronimo Stilton books which had a much different, more professional-looking art style. I questioned if it was some kind of joke. I still don't really understand. I guess there's a different series that's different from this one. It's never explained why people call Geronimo "Gerry Berry".

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw this brand-new version of Geronimo Stilton, I wasn't sure what to think-- and after reading it, I'm thrilled! I grew up with Stilton's mysteries, and this new graphic novel captures the same fun and exciting spirit in a fresh new way. In this volume (hopefully the first of many!) the residents of New Mouse City flee from a horrendous permeating smell, and Geronimo is determined to discover the cause! Perfect for fans of Dog Man, Geronimo Stilton has found a new medium in which to hook readers into his adventures.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny graphic novel, the first in a series for Geronimo Stilton fans. The word play is not lost on me but I wonder if readers will be as quick to catch on. Their parents certainly will.

This is a great addition to any graphic novel section in a library.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

‪I wanted to preview Tom Angleberger’s new graphic novel version of Geronimo Stilton (story by Elisabetta Dami) - and it’s a blast! ‬
‪I can totally imagine that students will rediscover this series due to the fresh look of this laugh-out-loud mystery! ‬

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though there are already graphic novel adaptations of the Geronimo Stilton books, this new version takes on a life of its own. The illustrations and text is larger and seems more accessible for younger readers or reluctant readers, especially fans of Dog Man.

[Nicole Hercules · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geronimo Stilton & Hercule Poirat go on an adventure into the sewers of New Mouse City to uncover the mystery of what is causing the most AWFUL stench! An all around funny read with tons of cheese/stinky puns. Will they save the city from the evil queen, Trashfur Sprakles XIII? Read it & find out.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good option for kids who've ripped through Dog Man and are looking for something new. Lots of bright illustrations, silly humor, and a story that will appeal from ages 7-10. Good choice for elementary graphic novel collections. Look forward to adding this series to my library collection.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read any of the Geronimo Stilton books. It was cute and very chaotic, like many popular children's book. It was also pretty fact paced. I liked the message about how we can be wasteful and that we should recycle more and do other things to reduce our waste.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was all right. I think I like the regular Geronimo Stilton books a little better. The plot line here was kind of out there, but it was entertaining. The pictures were a little rough looking for me.

[Sanjna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book in my collection. I love the book.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Scholastic and Edelweiss for a review copy. Review to come.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hard pass! These illustrations were terrible. (I'm sure my library's fans of Stilton will enjoy this, but me-firm no.)

[Steve White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read for young readers, Sewer Rat Stink takes the form of a graphic novel, not unlike Dog Man and InvestiGators. Lots of humor and action kids will love!

[Jessie Otto · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me, but my son loved it!

[Cleo Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geronimo fans will love this new take on the classic character! Very funny, super weird, but with all the aspects kiddos love about Stilton. Can't wait for the next installment!