Rise of the G.E.M.S. (Genetically Engineered Mice in Space)

Gr 3-5–Five lab mice become extraordinary when their genes are altered to prepare them for a NASA mission. Theodore, who can now read and understand human speech, realizes that the scientists plan to leave the mice in orbit. The other mice are unconcerned, but Theo is determined to escape; his plan ends with the five mice alone and adrift in space. This book contains elements that fans of Dog Man will love, especially the giggle-worthy visual gags (pooping in a beaker, globs of pee in zero gravity). However, it struggles with its identity as a science fiction tale intersecting the superhero origin story. The plot is uneven, with training montages and scenes that don’t pay off later in the book. The characters are complicated: Theo is the POV character, but art choices, such as narrowed, glowing eyes, and writing choices, such as behaving imperiously and making unilateral decisions, are more villain- than hero-coded. The end feels sudden and then fades to black with a strong nod toward a sequel.