Horn Book Review
In their first graphic novel, the Thea Sisters (five mice students who aspire to be journalists), look into a whale's odd behavior and the disruption of a Mouseford Academy ritual. Advanced language and an extensive back story from a related series make a poor starting place, but the illustrations' light, warm palette and a style reminiscent of classic adventure comics make this story appealing. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
The first book in the graphic-novel spinoff of the Thea Stilton chapter books, themselves spinoffs of the Geronimo Stilton franchise. It's a new school year at Whale Island's Mouseford Academy for the Thea Sisters (not actual siblings but a group of friends centered around Thea Stilton). Written for fans of the Thea Stilton series, the book assumes familiarity with the characters and skips introductions. Two traditions mark the start of a new year--the school dance, which yields a subplot about the girls trying to find dates, and the arrival of whales at the island. But this year, a whale has broken the pattern by arriving early, swimming without the other whales and even attacking fishing boats. It's up to the Thea Sisters to figure out why the whale is acting strangely and to solve the orca's problem. The problem is connected to a celebrity cosmetics entrepreneur, a special guest to the school on account of her generous donation and her children's enrollment as new students. The celebrity has an illegal, secret hobby--collecting sea life. Her hobby leads to a couple of footnotes with ocean-animal facts, though the story is more concerned with entertainment than education. The resolution comes far too easily in a short plot that is lacking in obstacles. Plot limitations notwithstanding, the colorful characters' revealing body language and expressive faces keep even simple conversation scenes' illustrations dynamic. For Stilton readers who prioritize interpersonal relationships and friendship over mysteries and action. (Graphic fantasy. 7-10)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Colette, Violet, Pamela, Nicky, and Paulina are the Thea Sisters at Mouseford Academy; they study with Thea Stilton, journalist and equally famous sister of the famed Geronimo Stilton. The new school year brings new students, including siblings Vanilla and Vic, children of wealthy businesswoman Vissia De Vissen, who claims to be concerned about the environment. When an orca threatens the local fishermen, however, the Thea Sisters discover that Vissia has plans for the orca and other sea creatures, including the whales of Whale Island, that bode no good for the environment. Thea Stilton is credited as the author, but the story was created by a team of Italian writers and artists and translated by Nanette McGuinness for Papercutz. The story centers on the Thea Sisters rather than on Thea Stilton, who makes only a brief appearance in this book, but most readers won't care. They'll enjoy the action and mystery in this colorful graphic novel. Fans of the chapter books will also enjoy the additional adventures in this new series.--Kan, Kat Copyright 2010 Booklist
