Catching the Giant Wave

Thea Stilton Graphic Novels #4

by Thea Stilton, Nanette McGuinness (Translator)

A new, exclusive surfing club has just opened on Windy Island. Residents know that the island is famous for its sudden storms, but their warnings fall on deaf ears until a giant wave hits.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Childrens, Juvenile

56 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

See also Tea Stilton, Τέα Στίλτον and Теа Стилтон.

Reviews

[Léa]

in french

[Christine Gueit · Rating 3 out of 5]

C'est mignon pour les petits

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the plot a tad weaker than in some of the other Thea Stilton graphic novels, but it's still fun and cute.

Basically, it seems like the Thea Sisters oppose the artificial reef and surf center immediately, without any actual evidence or reason beyond "Dina's sister doesn't like it." And the romance between Nicky and Gary is rushed. But as I say, still cute.

[Radclyffe U-Haul · Rating 3 out of 5]

the idea of building a reef being a Bad thing is a bit confusing but okay!

[Cerena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute, although I wish Vic's personality was preserved in the other series (when he's Ryder) because it gives him so much dimension, he's flirty and playful, he loves his mom but knows when she's wrong and that his sister is insanely spoiled and mean. In the other books he's just show as quiet and broody, but in the graphic novels he's so fun. I also wish Gary was given some sort of a cameo in future books, because it feels like whenever a romantic interest is introduced for one of the Thea sisters, it's only for one book and they are never mentioned again. For example, Jan and Violet, Michael and Violet, Antonio and Paulina, Nicky and Gary, and a bunch of others.

[Poz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elgvccgubbvc chi HOugh

Hi chi :/ f2f rd chi try and make a decision by an old lady is the dark night at my parents house in order that they were all over my phone was in bed and I will call him in his life of me know what I mean you don't need the feeling is awesome I was thinking that it would not sure what he says the light on the dark night I think you were in good hands and knees yt? Rio today but it will your phone number and I'll see what you up at like the light and fluffy-ppoop

[Elle]

picked it up from my shelf for a readathon!!

I'm obviously not the target audience for this one therefore I won't be rating it officially. The climax was entertaining, the ending was sub-par. Still very nostalgic. Dialogues were flat. Could've been a wittol better despite the fact that it's written for children. 2 out 5 in my books, but take that with a grain of salt.

[Miah Bartlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute just like the Geronimo Stilton books. My daughter was drawn to it because of all the girl mice on the front. However, we both found the story a bit…lack luster compared to Geronimo. Still cute and we did finish it.

[Naisha Jhunjhunwala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kind of liked the graphic novel version. Well all I have to say is if you are reading the Thea stilton or Geronimo stilton series, Make sure to check out the graphic novel versions like this one if you are a fan!

[Maddie]

I was totally lost. Never knew who was speaking or what was going on.

[Lindsay Koltas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a new surf center that opened in Windy City. In the beginning, everyone is very excited about the new surfing area. There is a famous surfer who encourages everyone to surf there. However, there are warnings that giant waves and storms can occur at this center, but no really listens to them because they are so excited about the new surf zone. Then a large wave hits and the people are left to deal with the aftermath. This graphic novel would be best for primary students, around grades 2-5. This is because there is a good amount of text on each page and grade-level vocabulary. This book is a graphic novel and would be considered realistic fiction because the characters are made up, but a storm could really occur at a beach. This graphic novel is part of a collection of other graphic novels and stories from the Stilton brother and sister, and many of his books are mysteries. Also, this particular graphic novel had romantic scenes, so it could also be considered a romance.
This book is related to the other Stilton books in the series. I remember reading these graphic novels in elementary school, and the series was passed down for my little brother to read. These books were always popular in my elementary classrooms because young children often enjoy mysteries. Kids can particularly relate to this book because it is about a beach and many children have been on vacation or seen beaches on television. Also, the main character in this graphic novel is a girl, and that is often appealing for young girls to read.

[Favour · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always thought Nicky like Nate...

3rd/4th reread review:

The writing cracked me up so baddd omg. I was constantly laughing reading this. Not because of any particular joke, but because the author's writing style is just so much fun to interact with. Thea's prose really hits differently from her brother's.

Nicky was the main character of this book, in a way. She has a celebrity crush on this fellow Australian surfer named Gary Moon, and I think this only felt like a five-star book when I thought Gary Moon was attractive. On reread, he's okay. Definitely not someone I'd cry over, but that's just me. I will say the characterizations suffer just a little bit because none of the sisters are built to be boy-crazy, not even Colette.

Characters I did really enjoy were Vic, Pamela, and Colette! It's fascinating mapping Vic's progress to being something close to a good guy, especially because he's so resistant to the concept of doing good when there's nothing to gain from it. He brushed off the act of literally risking his own life to save Gary's, but that's something Pam (one of the heroines, mind you) did in book two. His personality is multi-layered in a way that the regular books don't typically bother with for antagonists. Additionally, he and Pam's conversations really makes the reader want to see them officially together. I get the feeling he doesn't like people touching his stuff, but he let Pam drive his motorboat! They should get married.

Anyway, Pamela and Colette once again made me laugh the most with their one-on-one snarky comments towards the situations they encountered. Those two are just blessed with personality and energy, and in retrospect, it can make Paulina and Violet feel very flat. It's okay for Sardinia, her three (??) sisters, the academy staff, and other minor characters to feel one-dimensional, but the writing does struggle giving depth to all 5 Thea Sisters at once.

The overall plot was once again Vissia de Vissen plotting environmental terrorism, but it did flesh her out quite a bit more as a villain. If it weren't for her lack of foresight, she'd be a real threat. The dynamic between the members of the de Vissen family is surprisingly strained, given how quickly they go to bat for each other. The art was good as always, but it did veer overly cartoonish compared to the previous books.

If I had to rank the first four books in order from best to worst, this would probably rank third after The Treasure of the Viking Ship, and The Lizard Club. But all four initial books are far superior to the four later books, so this isn't a bad ranking by any means. I still really enjoyed this one and though I have to knock it down a star, I wished they'd made more like it.

[eleanor :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's such a good book it's also kinda romantic which means eww Theres this girl who like's Gary
But then Nicky & Gary fall in Love and then Nicky thinks she gets dumped cause of this thing she was watching
And it had this girl kissing Gary Nicky was so sad

[Kaytee · Rating 5 out of 5]

there was one part that was sad and i will tell you the part that was sad gary a really good surfer was surfing and gary did not know it but the giant wave was to much for him. then he fell off his board and into the sea. the vissen brother saved gary and gary was alive and gave a speech

[Gina]

Finished 10/31/17

[Aditi]

it was not interesting