Stink: Solar System Superhero

Stink #5

by Megan McDonald, Peter H. Reynolds (Illustrator)

Save the planet . . . Pluto! Stink Moody, wise-cracking champion of everything small, is on a new to reinstate his favorite celestial orb. (Ages 5-8)Look! Up in the sky! Is it a falling leaf ?A speck of dust? A speeding mosquito?No, it’s Stink Moody, Solar System Superhero!When Stink learns that Pluto has flunked out of the Milky Way for being too shrimpy, he feels like he might just explode with a Big Bang. Stink has no choice but to take a stand for the sake of little planets (and little people) everywhere. Will he be smart enough to defeat a panel of big-shot scientists? Will he be strong enough to beat know-it-all Riley Rottenberger and her "Team KPB"? Will he succeed in rescuing Pluto from a fate worse than being swallowed by a black hole? Start the countdown for a funny (and very informative) out-of-this-world adventure--and prepare to have your universe rocked!

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Fiction, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Space, Middle Grade

93 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 9, 2010

About the author

"Sometimes I think I am Judy Moody," says Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody series, the Stink series, and THE SISTERS CLUB. "I'm certainly moody, like she is. Judy has a strong voice and always speaks up for herself. I like that."

For Megan McDonald, being able to speak up for herself wasn't always easy. She grew up as the youngest of five sisters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father, an ironworker, was known to his coworkers as "Little Johnny the Storyteller." Every evening at dinner the McDonalds would gather to talk and tell stories, but Megan McDonald was barely able to get a word in edgewise. "I'm told I began to stutter," she says, leading her mother to give her a notebook so she could start "writing things down."


Critically acclaimed, the Judy Moody books have won numerous awards, ranging from a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year to an International Reading Association Children's Choice. "Judy has taken on a life of her own," the author notes, with nearly 3 million Judy Moody books in print. Interestingly, the feisty third-grader is highly popular with boys and girls, making for a strong base of fans who are among Megan McDonald's strongest incentives to keep writing, along with "too many ideas and a little chocolate." And now -- by popular demand -- Judy Moody's little brother, Stink, gets his chance to star in his own adventures! Beginning with STINK: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING KID, three more stories, and his own encyclopedia, STINK-O-PEDIA, Stink's special style comes through loud and strong -- enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the first book. About the need for a book all about Stink, Megan McDonald says, "Once, while I was visiting a class full of Judy Moody readers, the kids, many with spiked hair à la Judy's little brother, chanted, 'Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink!' as I entered the room. In that moment, I knew that Stink had to have a book all his own."


More recently, Megan McDonald has recalled some of her own childhood with the warmth, humor -- and squabbles -- of three spunky sisters in THE SISTERS CLUB.


Megan McDonald and her husband live in Sebastopol, California, with two dogs, two adopted horses, and fifteen wild turkeys that like to hang out on their back porch.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

We listened to the audiobook on a long drive with our kids. It was a really fun story. It's a great read aloud or listen to the audiobook (the reader was really good! Her kid voices were so fun.) I would definitely recommend this one for young readers. Stink is a fun character.

[Anina Falco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stink is infuriated when he hears that the little planet, or Pluto, is being kicked out of the central solar system. He is determined to go to a science conference and prove to these scientists why Pluto deserves to stay! I love the message of fighting for the little people or underdogs. I think it is essential for children to learn so they can apply what they learn throughout their lives. I would recommend this story to any child in 1st through 4th grade. I again love stories in a series, and even more, I thoroughly enjoy Ms. Megan McDonald's writing! I would have this book in my future classroom.

[Jack Kawata · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the book 📖 was a five star 💫 book 📕 because stink tried to get Pluto to be a planet 🌎.

[L13_Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judy Moody's younger brother, Stink, has had his own adventures and missteps chronicled by author Megan McDonald for the last eight years now. They are, in a word, delightful. If older sister Judy's moodiness and snippy way of viewing the world didn't snare readers, this fifth book in the 'Stink' installment of books is sure to do just that. More down-to-earth and matter-of-fact than his sometimes overly emotional sister, Stink still possesses the wit and the reluctance to interact meaningfully with members of the opposite gender that young readers can most assuredly relate to.
Geared toward young readers who have recently entered the world of chapter books (2nd and 3rd graders), author Megan McDonald has created a protaganist for boys that is in every way equal to the wildly popular 'Judy Moody' series that was, for a time, all but required reading for (mostly) seven, eight, and nine year-old girls. While still present in the Stink books, Judy takes a backseat to her younger brother in the 'Stink' series. In her own inimitable way, Judy somehow manages to offer necessary and appropriate advice through her sneers and jeers, as only a big sister could.
In this-the 5th installment of the series- Stink: Solar System Superhero- Stink and his buddies are embroiled in a feud with some of the female members of their class over the recent demotion of Pluto from planetary status to just a floating space rock with a 6-digit number for a name. The larger font size makes this a perfect book for a first-time reader of chapter books, as do Peter Reynolds' spirited illustrations throughout the text. Readers are also treated with snippets of 'fascinating facts' about the planets Stink's class studies at the conclusion of each of the chapters.
The school setting of this story creates a familiarity for the reader that will allow meaningful connections and inferences to be made by even the most inexperienced readers of the early chapter book. Teachers and parents alike can help children extend their reading and interest in Stink's endeavors by visiting the website created by the book's author and publisher: (www.stinkmoody.com). This site will no doubt keep many children's interest and curiosity piqued until Megan McDonald releases the next book in this humorous and true-to-life look at growing up in today's world as an early elementary school student.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: My son enjoys these books, his dad reads them to him at bedtime and I thought it was time I saw what they liked about these books so much.

A totally enjoyable experience from start to finish! Stink is a regular kid, with regular kid problems and fears but when he gets an idea he becomes determined and full of spunk. Stink is flabbergasted when he gets his science test back and is told Pluto is no longer a planet, even Judy, his older sister, can't believe it. Stink gets his facts straight and insists that even if it is a "dwarf" planet then it still is a planet. When the resident Space expert in his class teases him and regales him with all the reasons why Pluto is not a planet, the teacher breaks in and explains that they both are right. Scientists took a vote to send Pluto packing, but some scientists still believe Pluto should counted as a planet. She then assigns Stink and "Space Camp" Riley to a debate the next week and their class will have their own vote on whether Pluto is a planet.

A truly delightful book. As my first introduction to Stink, I was taken with him right away and can understand why my son enjoys his books so much. At the end of each chapter was a comic page with information about each of the planets in order based on the mnemonic saying "My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas" which was very interesting and extremely humorous. I have to say I particularly liked the stance the author took on Pluto, acknowledging the ongoing debate, showing both sides equally. (I wish all books on science topics did the same!). An amusing and entertaining first chapter book, that could be read aloud to younger children and will hold the interest of older reluctant readers. I'll have to make sure I get books 1-4 read before another new one comes out as I won't be missing out on Stink's adventures any more!

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this with my son when he was in 4th grade. On the plus side, it is a fun book in a fun series. It was a fun way to review the planets. The key conflict of the book: Does Pluto belong? The kids in Stink's class VOTE "yes" that Pluto should be a planet. This was not the outcome I was expecting! Basing a planet's definition on emotion and popular vote is hardly scientific. Until I pointed it out, my son had no problem with this method, reinforcing the idea that we should base definitions on how we FEEL and what we think is "fair" (like Pluto CARES that it has been demoted to a dwarf planet) instead of scientific definitions and logical arguments. The other idea is "power to the people / kids": your opinion is as important as the scientist's. I appreciate this, as scientists find out all the time that the theories they present to the public as "facts" they must later revise or completely change when new things come to light. I get tired of a few scientists theories being the only way of looking at things when many competing theories are out there or will be out there with new findings. (Check out different children's books on dinosaurs over the last 50 years for example. Or space.) However, arguing against SCIENTIFIC PRESUMPTION (we know more than you, so you have to take our most popular theory as true) with POPULAR PRESUMPTION (we feel like you are wrong, so our theory must be valid too) does not make me feel better. DON'T believe everything you are told, but DO use reason to understand the scientific world, not feelings. Sloppy thinking, Stink.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Walker rep gave me her sample copy of this book because I became ridiculously excited by the idea of someone finally sticking up for Pluto.

I have been selling Megan McDonald's Judy Moody series for years and never given her books much thought - I am very bad at taking an interest in books that I don't personally want to read (bad bookseller!!!).

However - in this I was pleasantly surprised! It had none of the stupidity and potty humour that I've come to expect of books targeted at this age group but instead a shockingly funny, and very informative (I even learned a few things - which, considering I spend the better part of my work life on Wikipedia reading about the solar system is really saying something!) little story about a boy who just didn't *get* why Pluto couldn't be a planet anymore.

After getting a bad grade on his science test, Stink sets off to find out just why Pluto got kicked out of the solar system. Since he doesn't think that a weird orbit is good enough reason to discriminate against anyone, his teacher allows him to have a class debate to determine whether Pluto should be a planet or not.

Campaigning against the loss of My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas and inventing a Honk if You Love Pluto bumper sticker (where can I get one of these??), Stink makes a compelling argument -but does he win? I think you should read and find out!!

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The time has come for you to take a side. Do you agree with scientist who ruled in 2009 that Pluto should no longer be considered a planet? Or do you think this lovable little dwarf should be reinstated back to planet status? Join Stink and his friends in this planetary debate. Learn or refresh your knowledge on our solar system while choosing which side you are on.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was awesome!

[Chance Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I like this book. To a degree this book is like a time stamp of 2009 but it's written in such a way I don't know if it's going to age poorly or not. To a degree the story feels relevant to today.

Cover
Along with the others in the series it's coloring stands out equally. The title is straight to the point about what to expect. cover illustrations make sense and is true to the interior illustrations but unlike the others it does take a touch more a creative privilege. (Even though "Stink 3000" is in the book 10 times it's never referenced in story.) I do think it adds some nice personality to cover though.

Story
I know it's been a few years since I last read Stink but I was confused five pages in. How old is Judy Moody? I assume she is just a couple years older maybe two by illustrations standards but she is bragging about going to College? HUH? Drawing wise I'd never assume she was twenty years old. This has to be a reference to something in her series. Because making a plant out of ABC gum doesn't sound like College degree teaching.
I do like how it ties in earlier books such as how thoroughly the talked about his height and stinky sneakers even giving a nod to the Corpse flower with new character Skunk. That is if Stink and Sophie of the Elves wasn't odd enough.
These kids are daring and creative what child things about having a burial and placing a headstone on school grounds? It almost feels wrong.
It's actually really impressive how many facts are are in this book.
I find it interesting that this is an argument that has not middle ground and the argument is visually tearing the class apart because they weren't truly talking. This underlying topic relevant as each side has no respect for the other sides opinion and choice.

Illustrations
I love the cartoony illustrations. Well except old bearded Stink on page three. He sort of looks like a creepy, old Bart Simpson. The angles and expressions are great in this book.

Spoilers!
This ending confused me into an analytical rant.
Rules are clear. The teacher doesn't play favorites. It's a democracy vote with who will win. I'm really confused by this segment. Mrs. Dempster declarers Stink won class votes unanimously then follows to wink at Riley Rottenberger. What on Earth just happened? I'd say from that one act that the one that counted the votes just lied that the votes were a landslide but a confused murmur would really spread across the class. I'll insist this there is a lot more going on in this ending than what was just overlooked.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was some shifty stuff in this book that I don't condone. Writing in everyone's textbooks while they are at recess is a way bigger deal than sticking a magnet bumper sticker on someone's car. Ruining school textbooks is vandalism and should have resulted at the very least in an in school suspension, and quite frankly I think it's grounds for expulsion. And who leaves their classroom unattended to go to the principal's office for a long time and then just skips math class? Second grade math is actually kind of important for real life. And Riley's character was a bully. The teacher should have put an end to that.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stink, while at the nurse's office missed out on an important fact needed for his science test. This led to a great debate in class if Pluto should still be considered a planet or just the number 134340. Stink's team versus the class know-it-all, Riley Rottenberger, and her team debate the issue, and the class votes to decide which team presents the best argument. Facts about the planets in the solar system are discussed using the mnemonic My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas!

[Sheri S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a fun book...I think Stink is sort of growing on me. One of the redeeming factors of these books are the factoids they contain related to the title of the book. I remember enjoying learning about the solar system as a kid, and imagine I probably would have liked this book as a kid. The interactions between the children in the book are amusing, especially the argument about whether Pluto is a planet or not.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book may be a bit dated since it's about the demise of Pluto as a planet, yet it is a great way to discuss the planets of the solar system and what constitutes a planet with your children. There is really fun humor, and I like how Stink so earnestly defended Pluto's right to be a planet. His debate with Riley was a bit educational and entertaining. Most of all, I like the Stink book series because my son Joshua actually wants to read them, and reading isn't his favorite thing to do.

[Laila · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son said this one was his favorite of the series so far. It's all about how Pluto was declassified as a planet. Stink identifies with Pluto because of his short stature. So the class debates whether or not Pluto should still be called a planet. I like how McDonald sneaks in some planetary facts at the end of each chapter.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was probably my favourite in the series so far because of all of the interesting info about the planets. I thought it was a little silly to "vote" with the kids on whether Pluto was still a planet, and the tactics of the kids were sometimes quite mean (not the best role model for kids reading the book), but I still enjoyed it with my son.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just the right level for my second grade son, and it was funny, and he loved the darling illustrations, but I did not like this book. I didn't like the meanness in this book, or the sneakiness, or the end result of the 'vote'.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 3 out of 5]

stink is a good complement to judy. in this book, he finds injustice in the fact that Pluto has lost its status as a planet. it's a good campaign and I like how he resolves his differences with Riley in the end.

[Angela Mitchener · Rating 3 out of 5]

My boys love these. They’re still not my favorite, especially considering the ways in which characters treat each other at times. But their interactions often spark little teachable moments, so that’s good. I do still love all the English idioms that are embedded throughout.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little man enjoyed and was really cheering for Pluto, right alongside Stink. I liked that it gave a mnemonic for the planets, which didn't include Pluto. I have been concerned, since all I learned included Pluto. I recommend, as does he!

[Carl Tolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

i rate this book five stars because it was a good book. If you like stink you will like this one. My favorite part was when stink made a team to stand up for pluto.

[retrieverfever · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

[HaloLove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read!

What a fantastic fun educational read! My kids loved it and it was too much fun having them argue and take sides with Riley and Stink! Thumbs ups!!!

[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super awesome!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great way to learn about planets with a pretty thorough, for kids, explanation why Pluto was cut.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so nice of Stink's classmates (aka Jupiter jerks) to vote for Stink!

[Richard Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Lots of facts for kids and the sort of adventure an elementary school student would have.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a little easy to read but it was actually pretty interesting to learn some stuff about pluto and to learn stuff about the solar system.

[Jen Traub · Rating 4 out of 5]

The teacher in this story is a gem.

[Sarahs Reads ToKids]

My second grade son read this book on his own and said it was really good. He likes this series and is looking forward to reading the next book.