Geronimo and the Gold Medal Mystery (Geronimo Stilton, No. 33)

Here are reviews written by my second grade class. Obviously they enjoyed the book! Geronimo and the Gold Medal Mystery is about a person named Hercule who loves bananas and they taste like melted cheese. I love this book because it is funny and good for learning about Olympics if you know what I mean. This is good for 7, 8 & 9 year olds and thank you for choosing this book. - W. I think you should read Geronimo and the Gold Medal Mystery if you like adventure books. This book takes Geronimo Stilton to the far off land of Greece where the Olympics was taking place. He was sent there by his Grandfather who wanted a report for the Rodents Gazette. - S. Geronimo and the Gold Medal Mystery is about a mouse named Geronimo Stilton. Geronimo is a journalist for the Rodents Gazette. Geronimo hates sports and it is almost time for the Olympics to start! Geronimo has to go to Athens, Greece to report on the Olympics. Geronimo and his friend Hercule find out that there is a cheater cheater pumpkin eater on the team of Mousylvania! I think this book is good for a person who likes sports. I like this book because it is funny! - P. I really enjoyed this book Geronimo and the Golden Medal Mystery because there was a cheater and a helper. And a rodent who likes bananas!!!! And the main character Geronimo. Find out how Geronimo and Hercule solve the mystery! - E. Here are some things about the book: Geronimo and the Gold Mystery!!!! The Olympics are coming up! Here is what Geronimo Stilton has to say: I, Geronimo Stilton, am not a Sports-Mouse. RUNNING??? SWEATING??? Not for me. I prefer relaxing in an armchair with a bowl of Cheesy-Chews. - A. Geronimo and the Gold Medal Mystery is about a mouse named Geronimo who goes to Athens to write about the Olympics but there is only one player on Mousylvania. - A.

I must admit that I didn't know about Geronimo Stilton. I guess I haven't been paying attention. While checking out some excellent children's books recently, my favorite reference librarian asked me if I was taking them out for my grandchildren. After telling her that I don't have grandchildren (but do have grand dogs and cats . . . and a grand nephew), I explained that I sometimes review outstanding children's books. She immediately whooped and said, "I've got just the book for you. We've all been reading it today and can't stop laughing." Before I could say another word, she raced off to the children's books and brought back Geronimo and the Gold Medal Mystery. I'm very grateful she did. The book is quite a treasure. If you are ignorant about the series (as I was), this is the 33rd entry in the series. Geronimo is the editor of The Rodent's Gazette (New Mouse City's most widely read newspaper) while his sister, Thea, is a special correspondent at the Gazette. Grandfather William Shortpaws is the founder of the Gazette, and Geronimo jumps when Grandfather Shortpaws calls. Unfortunately for Geronimo, Thea wants to take a pass on covering the Athens Olympics for the Gazette and Geronimo is pressed into duty, despite his utter lack of knowledge about sports. In the story, Geronimo gets some unexpected help from his old friend, Hercule Poirat, who is investigating the athletes from Mousylvania. The two of them discover some big surprises behind some stunning athletic performances. The story is filled with jokes that tykesters and tykestresses will enjoy, many of which are visual humor based on the abundant, vivid, full color illustrations. My book actually had a post-it note in it with a comment in a child's handwriting that one illustration reminded the child of the trouble he or she gets into when she or he doesn't pay attention. Remarkably, interspaced within the story are lots of sidebars that provide useful information about the Olympics, Greece, and various athletes who have competed successful in the Olympics. These sidebars contain much more information than most nonfiction books aimed at this age group (4-6 if read to and older if read by) do. The typography is especially interesting. Words are installed in shapes that capture and accentuate their meaning. For example, "roar" is in red bold print with little lines running through it to imitate sound waves. "Quiet" by comparison is in thin-lined blue hand script. I can just imagine a youngster goggling over the composition methods and laughing a lot! It's also a good way for beginning readers to learn some vocabulary. At the back of the book you find lots of humorous drawings of the Gazette office, New Mouse City, and Mouse Island. "About the Author" is written as though Geronimo Stilton is the actual author. Seldom has tongue in cheek been so much fun for youngster and their elders. Check it out!

My son is 7 and a good reader -- however, except for reading sports programs and sports magazines, he rarely picks up a book. This book was different. It was the first to engage his interest from start to finish and he loved it. He read independently and enjoyed -- talked at length about the plot and Olympics and wants to read more Geronimo Stilton books. He is reading another which he enjoys but not nearly as much as this one. Way to go Geronimo!

Geronimo just doesn't understand why everyone is so excited about the Olympics starting in three days, since he's not exactly a sports fan. Then his sister, Thea, begs him to cover the games for The Rodent's Gazette. Geronimo refuses, of course, but that does him no good since his grandfather, the founder of the newspaper, insists he head straight to Athens to write an article and host a daily television program about the Olympics. On the plane, a clumsy and pushy flight attendant turns out to be Hercule Poirat, Geronimo's old detective friend, in disguise. He confides to Geronimo that there's something strange going on at the Olympics. Hercule persuades Geronimo to help him investigate. While Geronimo must learn to overcome his shyness in order to star in his TV show, that's just one challenge he faces in Athens. Geronimo and Hercule must turn into spies in order to solve the Olympics mystery, which involves a character Geronimo Stilton series fans will remember. This is another enjoyable Geronimo adventure and comes complete with tons of interesting facts about the Olympics, including history tidbits, traditions, participating countries' flags and much more. --- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon

We waited for a while for the book to come but it was worth the wait. My kid loved this book (and so would yours)...