The Big Stink

Gr 4—6—Nathan is still searching for a cure for being half dead, not to mention trying to make it through gym class in one piece. The fifth graders are temporarily sharing a classroom with the eighth graders, including Ridley, a bully who has it out for Nathan and pretty much anyone else who happens to be around. To make matters worse, Nathan is starting to rot and the smell is becoming quite a problem, especially since only his two best friends know about his condition. And when he's not worrying about Ridley or stinking, Nathan continues to spend his nights training as a spy for the Bureau of Useful Misadventures, where his zombie skills can be put to good use. This is a great choice for reluctant readers and anyone who enjoys humorous stories. Despite being filled with farts and vomit, ultimately it's a sweet story about the importance of friendship, family, and doing the right thing. While it does reference incidents that occurred in previous books, it stands on its own.—Kerry Roeder, The Brearley School, New York City