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Nate the Great #18
Nate the Great and the Big Sniff
Nate, the great detective, depends on his dog, Sludge, to help him solve all of his cases. But Sludge can’t help him this time — Sludge is lost! Lost inside a big department store on a rainy day. Nate frantically searches for his best friend and trusted helper. Salespeople have spotted a wet, slippery, sloppy dog running about. Is Sludge hiding from them? Nate looks high and low, and in places he’d rather not look at all. But every clue leads to a dead end... until Nate realizes that Sludge can help him with this case!
80 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
105 people are currently reading
427 people want to read
About the author
Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
250 books116 followersMarjorie Weinman Sharmat was an American children's writer. She wrote more than 130 books for children and teens and her books have been translated into several languages. They have won awards including Book of the Year by the Library of Congress or have become selections by the Literary Guild.
Perhaps Sharmat's most popular work features the child detective Nate the Great. He was inspired by and named after her father, who lived to see the first Nate book published. One story, Nate the Great Goes Undercover, was adapted as a made-for-TV movie that won the Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival Award. Sharmat's husband Mitchell Sharmat expanded Nate's storyline by creating Olivia Sharp, his cousin and fellow detective. Husband and wife wrote four Olivia Sharp books published 1989 to 1991. During the 1990s, their son Craig Sharmat (then in his thirties) wrote three Nate books with his mother. In the late 2010s, their other son Andrew Sharmat co-wrote the last two Nate books written while Marjorie Weinman Sharmat was alive. With Marjorie Weinman Sharmat's passing in 2019 Andrew has continued writing the series with Nate the Great and the Earth Day Robot (2021).
In the mid-1980s Sharmat wrote three books published in 1984 and 1985 under the pseudonym Wendy Andrews.
Sharmat also wrote the Sorority Sisters series, eight short novels published in 1986 and 1987. They are romantic fiction with a sense of humor. They are set in a California public high school (day school for ages 14 to 18, approximately).
Perhaps Sharmat's most popular work features the child detective Nate the Great. He was inspired by and named after her father, who lived to see the first Nate book published. One story, Nate the Great Goes Undercover, was adapted as a made-for-TV movie that won the Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival Award. Sharmat's husband Mitchell Sharmat expanded Nate's storyline by creating Olivia Sharp, his cousin and fellow detective. Husband and wife wrote four Olivia Sharp books published 1989 to 1991. During the 1990s, their son Craig Sharmat (then in his thirties) wrote three Nate books with his mother. In the late 2010s, their other son Andrew Sharmat co-wrote the last two Nate books written while Marjorie Weinman Sharmat was alive. With Marjorie Weinman Sharmat's passing in 2019 Andrew has continued writing the series with Nate the Great and the Earth Day Robot (2021).
In the mid-1980s Sharmat wrote three books published in 1984 and 1985 under the pseudonym Wendy Andrews.
Sharmat also wrote the Sorority Sisters series, eight short novels published in 1986 and 1987. They are romantic fiction with a sense of humor. They are set in a California public high school (day school for ages 14 to 18, approximately).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
February 11, 2017
I read this aloud to my nephew for the 2016 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge. I would have LOVED it as a little kid - mysteries and dogs! I may not be remembering my reading levels well enough, but it seems like a good precursor to Encyclopedia Brown and Cam Jansen.
March 13, 2009
EVERYONE CALLS ME NATE BUT WHEN THEY READ THESE BOOKS THEY CALLED ME NATE THE GREAT
April 9, 2024
A cute canine caper in which Nate is on the hunt for his beloved dog at a mall. Mid is mid, but the ending is cute enough to make up for the book’s losses.
November 6, 2018
Cleanliness: Nate the Great mentions not wanting to go into a dressing room and seeing underwear with people in them. Shows a picture with clothes hanging on a rack - you can see a bra.
Reading Level: 2nd - 3rd grades
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
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Reading Level: 2nd - 3rd grades
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
May 16, 2019
Nate is understandably stressed out in this installment of Nate the Great because his case is to find his own dog, Sludge.
July 31, 2020
Enjoyed reading with my niece and nephew!
September 20, 2020
This book is a well-balanced junior mystery tale that should appeal to readers of all ages. From very early grade school I have been a fan of Nate the Great as a detective, and I think that his mysterious lead very nicely into Donald J. Sobol's Encyclopedia Brown volumes for older kids. Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and her group of associates do a very good job with the Nate the Great books, and I would certainly reccomend them.
Additionally, these volumes do well to encourage and enhance lateral thinking abilities in emerging readers. People of any age, however, will find the puzzles tht Nate the Great faces to be challenging. Nate's partiality to pancakes when solving his toughest cases hearkens back nicely to Sherlock Holmes's own devices. :-)
Additionally, these volumes do well to encourage and enhance lateral thinking abilities in emerging readers. People of any age, however, will find the puzzles tht Nate the Great faces to be challenging. Nate's partiality to pancakes when solving his toughest cases hearkens back nicely to Sherlock Holmes's own devices. :-)
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November 8, 2023What a lovely and heartfelt book! I had a close connection with this story that even I felt sad for Nate the Great!
In this book, Nate the Great and his dog Sludge visits a department store on a rainy day. Nate the Great thinks it's going to be a good day until he realizes that Sludge is missing! Nate the Great is now on a mission to find Sludge. Luckily Nate's friends are at the department store and they try to help find Sludge. Nate the Great takes us on a mission and at the end he finds Sludge in a flour trail. One of the themes I found in this book is never giving up. Throughout the book Nate the Great never gave up on finding Sludge. An example of this theme would be when Nate called his mom on a pay phone and left a voicemail. In the voicemail he explained he was on a mission and hopes to return with Sludge. In his voicemail he sounded doubtful that he would return with Sludge but that didn't stop him from trying. Another theme I found in this book is the importance of friends. I thought it was wholesome that Nate's friends were there to help him find Sludge. They all assigned themselves a job and were serious about helping Nate. Children reading this book could learn from the two themes. Children who learn that they shouldn't give up will be driven to solve the problem. When it comes to the importance of friends, children will learn to cherish their friends and help them out when they're struggling. This book was a WOW book for me because it was a great story. Throughout the story, I felt sad towards Nate because I have four dogs, and if I would lose one I would panic! When Nate the Great said Sludge was his best friend, I had the same connection. I consider my dogs my best friends and my biggest companions.
The first literary device that the author used when writing this book is imagery. As I was reading this book, the author did a great job on describing certain scenes. For instance, when Nate the Great was describing how his dog looked to the pet department, I started to imagine how Sludge was looking. I also imagined how Annie's dogs teeth were because of how Nate the Great described them. Another literary device I found is irony. I found irony when Nate the Great thought that Sludge was in the pet department but at the end, he was in the flour trail. I really thought Sludge was going to be in the pet department but it turned out he wasn't. I would consider this an Anti-bias book because it doesn't focus on race or gender at all. It's all about a little boy who lost his dog
In this book, Nate the Great and his dog Sludge visits a department store on a rainy day. Nate the Great thinks it's going to be a good day until he realizes that Sludge is missing! Nate the Great is now on a mission to find Sludge. Luckily Nate's friends are at the department store and they try to help find Sludge. Nate the Great takes us on a mission and at the end he finds Sludge in a flour trail. One of the themes I found in this book is never giving up. Throughout the book Nate the Great never gave up on finding Sludge. An example of this theme would be when Nate called his mom on a pay phone and left a voicemail. In the voicemail he explained he was on a mission and hopes to return with Sludge. In his voicemail he sounded doubtful that he would return with Sludge but that didn't stop him from trying. Another theme I found in this book is the importance of friends. I thought it was wholesome that Nate's friends were there to help him find Sludge. They all assigned themselves a job and were serious about helping Nate. Children reading this book could learn from the two themes. Children who learn that they shouldn't give up will be driven to solve the problem. When it comes to the importance of friends, children will learn to cherish their friends and help them out when they're struggling. This book was a WOW book for me because it was a great story. Throughout the story, I felt sad towards Nate because I have four dogs, and if I would lose one I would panic! When Nate the Great said Sludge was his best friend, I had the same connection. I consider my dogs my best friends and my biggest companions.
The first literary device that the author used when writing this book is imagery. As I was reading this book, the author did a great job on describing certain scenes. For instance, when Nate the Great was describing how his dog looked to the pet department, I started to imagine how Sludge was looking. I also imagined how Annie's dogs teeth were because of how Nate the Great described them. Another literary device I found is irony. I found irony when Nate the Great thought that Sludge was in the pet department but at the end, he was in the flour trail. I really thought Sludge was going to be in the pet department but it turned out he wasn't. I would consider this an Anti-bias book because it doesn't focus on race or gender at all. It's all about a little boy who lost his dog
February 6, 2019
Nate the Great's case this time is trying to find his dog Sludge. Nate goes into a store to by a food bowl for Sludge. He tells Sludge to wait outside. The line is too long to check out so Nate decides not to buy the bowl but when he exits Sludge is not there. Annie is outside the store with Fang. She tells Nate that it was raining and that Sludge got wet. He went into the store a saleswoman yelled at Sludge and Sludge ran into the hat department. Annie and Fang tried to follow but the saleswoman yelled that they had to stay outside. Nate heads to the hat department. He finds Rosamond buying clothes she says she saw Sludge but he ran away. Nate leaves a voicemail message for his mother (rather than his usual letters). Nate goes to the lost and found department and runs into Claude. The lost and found man says that a dog has been running around the store but no one can catch it. Nate goes to the bed department thinking that maybe Sludge is resting after all that running. He finds a dog but it is Fang. Annie follows saying she thought she saw Sludge but it was a mop and that she left Rosamond by the door with a whistle. He goes to the pet department but no Sludge. Then he realizes where Sludge is, he goes to the food court and goes into the backroom of the pancake store and finds Sludge who knew that Nate would come for pancakes eventually. Book ends with Nate having Pancakes and Sludge a bone.
Extra Activities: Facts about Shopping for your Dog; A woman named Kim describes loosing her dog Refus and then finding him again; then tips on what to do if your pet gets lost; make a dog bowl and placemat for under the bowl; jokes many about rain; facts on keeping pet safe like collars or microchips
Extra Activities: Facts about Shopping for your Dog; A woman named Kim describes loosing her dog Refus and then finding him again; then tips on what to do if your pet gets lost; make a dog bowl and placemat for under the bowl; jokes many about rain; facts on keeping pet safe like collars or microchips
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2021
Nate the Great and the Big Sniff is a mysteries genre and is a chapter book. This genre and specific text would be targeted for upper elementary grades of 3-5. This book takes part where Nate and his dog investigate through a specific mystery. This book is breaking down a storyline Nate and his dog went through and gives detailed explanations that go through the step by step scenes of his adventure and how him and his dog tacmled the mystery. I think that this book is a great read for students because it demonstrates how important it is to stay detailed and brek down the series of events.
I would use this book for students to practice their use of graphic organizers. I would have the students pick a specific organizer they prefer but they would have to idenitfy characters, settings, main event, theme, and supporting details to the main event. This will be a great way to involve efficient reading comprehension. Another way to implement this book is by having students do small group read alouds that break down each chapter and with each chapter including important questions that the students can work together and find supporting details in the book to provide evidence for their questions will be efficient.
This is a WOW book for me because these series of Nate the Great mystery books is a classic and is super great reads for students and to get exposure in the mystery/adventure genre. I think this book is organized and well written out for elementary grades to pick up and read in order to get exposure to chapter books.
I would use this book for students to practice their use of graphic organizers. I would have the students pick a specific organizer they prefer but they would have to idenitfy characters, settings, main event, theme, and supporting details to the main event. This will be a great way to involve efficient reading comprehension. Another way to implement this book is by having students do small group read alouds that break down each chapter and with each chapter including important questions that the students can work together and find supporting details in the book to provide evidence for their questions will be efficient.
This is a WOW book for me because these series of Nate the Great mystery books is a classic and is super great reads for students and to get exposure in the mystery/adventure genre. I think this book is organized and well written out for elementary grades to pick up and read in order to get exposure to chapter books.
July 23, 2018
Miss 4 thought it was okay but it just didn't work for me. It felt like a P.D. Eastman picture book (and I love those) but that style of text just doesn't work for something of this length. I also hated the weird text layout, the sentence fragments, and starting sentences with conjunctions.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
December 9, 2017
I enjoyed this book because I like Nate the Great books. I also enjoyed this book because I liked the part when Nate the Great found Sludge when he lost him. Nate the Great found Sludge when he was at the store. Sludge was under a bed.
July 17, 2018
The answer to all life's mysteries can be found while eating a plate of pancakes. Once again the pancake loving boy, Nate the Great, solves another simple mystery - this time without the help of his dog Sludge.
April 12, 2023
Nate the Great goes shopping for a gift for his dog Sludge, but the wait is too long, so he leaves the store. But when he comes out Sludge is nowhere to be found. This sends Nate the Great on his biggest mystery yet, to find his dog.
June 28, 2025
A real case! Now, if only he followed some actual clues ...
Nate leaves Sludge outside of a department store. When he comes back out, Sludge is gone. Fortunately, Annie and Fang are there to let Nate know that Sludge went inside. Nate heads back in to find him.
In color. And hardback, even!
Nate leaves Sludge outside of a department store. When he comes back out, Sludge is gone. Fortunately, Annie and Fang are there to let Nate know that Sludge went inside. Nate heads back in to find him.
In color. And hardback, even!
December 2, 2018
Nate is always a blast to read about.
January 4, 2019
Dogs in American culture are absolutely members of families. I wish some other day, I would have another dogs
...
...
February 25, 2019
Decent mystery story. This edition had lots of helpful dog facts as an appendix.
April 10, 2021
Another quality Nate the Great book. Good for reading aloud.
August 23, 2021
My kiddos enjoyed the mystery in this one and were able to solve it on their own.
August 19, 2022
This time Sludge is missing and he is the mystery. Not as fun and clever as some of the others. My boy still loved it though.
January 31, 2023
My 5 year old enjoyed this one a lot. Unfortunately not the same quality of mystery as the original Nate the great.
February 16, 2023
Nate the Great’s dog was missing.
January 7, 2025
this is by far my favoritest book of the year so far i loved rereading nate the great is still lu favoritest dective
July 9, 2025
I think nate will be my fav character
November 24, 2025
I liked this book because Nate the Great found Sludge. I liked that the whole story they were trying to find sludge. The book was funny
September 5, 2010
Nate the Great books aren't that great. I hated them when I was a kid, yet I would always read them.The endings of the books were always the same, they figured out what or who did it. And where are Nate's parents? They just let their son walk around everywhere and question people. That is very irresponsible of them. Nate the Great books always made me fall asleep and always wasted my time. I would not recommend this book to anyone, especially little kids. If kids want real mystery, they should read Sherlock Homes.
February 11, 2011
A fun story with independent, smart, and reliable child characters. The back of the book has good, non-fiction information related to the story. Statistics about found pets and the cost of keeping one are included along with sylish graphs, charts and true stories about lost pets and craft projects that celebrate pet ownership. I wish I had a dog to make a dinner placemat for! Really fun for beginning chapter book readers and all others who relish the idea that our dogs are more intelligent than we are.
July 1, 2011
I think that Nate the great should have left Sludge home because he was buying him a gift. When you buy someone a gift you want to suprise them. Nate was not thinking when he took Sludge with him because when it rain people and animals look for a place to go into. When Nate seen that the line was to long in the store he should have put the bowl down and left maybe Sludge would have still been waiting for him. Nate was sad that he could not find his dog but Sludge was the detective that left his paw prints in flour that lead Nate to him. Good job Sludge!
September 15, 2009
This is a classic "Nate the Great" mystery. It has Nate, his dog Sludge, Annie and her dog Fang, Rosamond and of course, pancakes. What more could you want? Our girls really enjoy these stories.
We've reread this story in a book with ISBN 0440415020 (ISBN13 9780440415022). This version has 32 additional pages of facts about pet ownership, jokes, crafts, and a true story about a lost and then found pet. It was a nice addition to the book.
We've reread this story in a book with ISBN 0440415020 (ISBN13 9780440415022). This version has 32 additional pages of facts about pet ownership, jokes, crafts, and a true story about a lost and then found pet. It was a nice addition to the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews