Thea Stilton and the Star Castaways by Thea Stilton

Scholastic, 2011. ISBN 978 0 545 22774 2.
(Age 9+) Thea Stilton and the Star Castaways follows the same layout as the popular series Geronimo Stilton. Thea is Geronimo's sister and is off on her own adventures. This story is part of a series but you don't need to have read others to know what is happening as the book has an introduction and profiles and pictures of the characters. Thea Stilton is the narrator and she tells the story of our main characters - Nicky, Colette, Pamela, Paulina and Violet. They call themselves the Thea Sisters and are learning to be journalists. The girls are chosen to go on the first space flight to a resort on the moon and after much preparation, the team including investors, the girls and other journalists, set off for the moon resort. Despite the excitement, things go wrong at the resort and the girls are left to solve a mystery. Who is sabotaging the trip and the resort? Why are the robot servants attacking? Will they get back to Earth safe and sound?
The best part about this series is all the characters are mice and they use a lot of language relating to that eg.' . . . his mind is sharper than a block of cheddar', 'Fabumouse' and ' . . . chuckling under his whiskers . . . ' The larger font used throughout the story makes it interesting and eye catching for younger readers too as many of the adjectives are written in colourful font to match the action and the colourful cartoons add to the enjoyment. I would recommend this book to girls who are independent readers aged 9+. A great way to get reluctant readers reading longer stories.
Kylie Kempster