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Grk #5
Grk Smells a Rat
A perfect middle-grade adventure for the same fans as Alex Rider readers.
Tim Malt; his parents; his dog, Grk; and his friends Natascha and Max Raffifi have just arrived in India. They are all set to see the famous sights and watch Max compete in a tennis tournament. But after meeting a boy named Krishnan, they learn about the Blue Rat Gang, a group that enslaves children. Krishnan needs help to rescue his sister from a cruel life of forced labor, and Tim and Grk are up to the challenge. Racing against time, Tim and Grk are chased through dark alleys only to find themselves face-to-face with the infamous leader inside the Blue Rats’ headquarters. Can they foil his evil plans before it’s too late?
Praise for the Grk
“Pure adventure fun.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Crackles with Doder’s crisp prose and absurdist sensibility . . . [a] wildly engaging story.” —Time Out NY Kids
Tim Malt; his parents; his dog, Grk; and his friends Natascha and Max Raffifi have just arrived in India. They are all set to see the famous sights and watch Max compete in a tennis tournament. But after meeting a boy named Krishnan, they learn about the Blue Rat Gang, a group that enslaves children. Krishnan needs help to rescue his sister from a cruel life of forced labor, and Tim and Grk are up to the challenge. Racing against time, Tim and Grk are chased through dark alleys only to find themselves face-to-face with the infamous leader inside the Blue Rats’ headquarters. Can they foil his evil plans before it’s too late?
Praise for the Grk
“Pure adventure fun.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Crackles with Doder’s crisp prose and absurdist sensibility . . . [a] wildly engaging story.” —Time Out NY Kids
- GenresFiction
224 pages, Hardcover
First published May 27, 2008
2 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 13, 2015
Grk Smells a Rat is another wonderful book in the Grk series. The book takes place in the country of India and deals with quite a few issues that are probably pretty close to true. In this book, Krishnan and his sister have been taken away from their parents, who live in the country, and are transported to a large city. They are forced to work for adults creating and selling illegally produced goods. These kids are forced to make clothing, DVDs, music CDs, and books for tourists to buy.
Tim stumbles into this horrible situation while on vacation in India. After being ripped off by one of these boys, he actually ends up trying to help the boy rescue his sister from a factory where she is making clothing. But Tim and Natascha don't realize how big this organization is don't know what kind of trouble they are getting into.
Not since the first Grk book have Max or Natascha playing an important role in the stories. I am happy to report that Joshua Doder has finally decided to use these two again as more than supporting characters. The family is in India because of Max and his ability to play tennis. Natascha assists Tim in attempt to rescue Krishnan's sister. I am glad that the author finally decided to use these two characters more than he has in the last three books.
Grk Smells a Rat is the most thought-provoking Grk book yet. Young readers may not know how bad life in India can be. The poor are really poor. Although this isn't really discussed in this book, Krishnan and his sister are taken away from their family and basically sold into a type of slavery. Don't get me wrong here, the book is not preaching about this subject, it is just a fact in the story. Maybe I am reading too much into this, but I think it is good for kids to know that life around the world is not always like it is here in the United States.
There is quite a bit of action in this book and the use of the supporting cast in a more prominent roll was a nice surprise. Joshua Doder has created a wonderful series that young boys and girls will love to read. After all, who wouldn't love a story about a cute black and white dog who is dedicated to helping out his master no matter what happens?
Overall, Grk Smells a Rat is an excellent book and I highly recommend it, as I do for the rest of the series. The mixture of action, drama, adventure, and just plain ol' fun will keep young readers coming back for more.
I wonder what kind of trouble Tim will get into next when Grk Takes Revenge?
I rated this book a 9 out of 10.
Tim stumbles into this horrible situation while on vacation in India. After being ripped off by one of these boys, he actually ends up trying to help the boy rescue his sister from a factory where she is making clothing. But Tim and Natascha don't realize how big this organization is don't know what kind of trouble they are getting into.
Not since the first Grk book have Max or Natascha playing an important role in the stories. I am happy to report that Joshua Doder has finally decided to use these two again as more than supporting characters. The family is in India because of Max and his ability to play tennis. Natascha assists Tim in attempt to rescue Krishnan's sister. I am glad that the author finally decided to use these two characters more than he has in the last three books.
Grk Smells a Rat is the most thought-provoking Grk book yet. Young readers may not know how bad life in India can be. The poor are really poor. Although this isn't really discussed in this book, Krishnan and his sister are taken away from their family and basically sold into a type of slavery. Don't get me wrong here, the book is not preaching about this subject, it is just a fact in the story. Maybe I am reading too much into this, but I think it is good for kids to know that life around the world is not always like it is here in the United States.
There is quite a bit of action in this book and the use of the supporting cast in a more prominent roll was a nice surprise. Joshua Doder has created a wonderful series that young boys and girls will love to read. After all, who wouldn't love a story about a cute black and white dog who is dedicated to helping out his master no matter what happens?
Overall, Grk Smells a Rat is an excellent book and I highly recommend it, as I do for the rest of the series. The mixture of action, drama, adventure, and just plain ol' fun will keep young readers coming back for more.
I wonder what kind of trouble Tim will get into next when Grk Takes Revenge?
I rated this book a 9 out of 10.
February 19, 2019
Language - G, Sexual Content - G; Violence - G
Tim and his family are in India for a tennis competition. When Tim, Grk, Natascha, and Mr. and Mrs. Malt go to see Taj Mahal, Natascha buys Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows from a boy on the train, named Krishnan. She soon finds out that it's not a real copy. When Tim and Grk follow Krishnan to get her money back they find a secret hideout across the train tracks. There they find Krishnan with 18 other boys. Tim and Grk find out that these kids are enslaved in the Blue Rat Gang and that Krishnan needs help rescuing his sister from forced labor.
I thought this was an alright book, but I found it boring. I lost interest in the first 100 pages and wouldn't recommend this book to anyone in 8th grade or above.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Tim and his family are in India for a tennis competition. When Tim, Grk, Natascha, and Mr. and Mrs. Malt go to see Taj Mahal, Natascha buys Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows from a boy on the train, named Krishnan. She soon finds out that it's not a real copy. When Tim and Grk follow Krishnan to get her money back they find a secret hideout across the train tracks. There they find Krishnan with 18 other boys. Tim and Grk find out that these kids are enslaved in the Blue Rat Gang and that Krishnan needs help rescuing his sister from forced labor.
I thought this was an alright book, but I found it boring. I lost interest in the first 100 pages and wouldn't recommend this book to anyone in 8th grade or above.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
January 15, 2017
Its a good book for children who like adventures.
January 25, 2010
Cute book. This one seemed a bit moralizing to me; it's set in India and is about a gang that uses children to make and sell pirated books, CDs and DVDs. It almost sounded like the author was trying to teach Western kids just how bad it is for their peers in India. Might be my imagination, or could be the kids won't notice, so ... no big deal. Fun adventures for middle readers.
May 15, 2013
This is a friendly and fast-paced book made for children. I enjoyed reading it. :)
July 30, 2013
Slow read and an odd story. Okay childrens book.
November 29, 2014
I think it'll be nice
September 8, 2015
best book i have read
Read
December 15, 2015it was awesome
March 10, 2016
The fifth book in the Grk series and Grk and his family are traveling to India. Still lots of humor and adventure mixed with a splash of danger and melodrama. A great middle grade reader for boys.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews