The Enormouse Pearl Heist by Geronimo Stilton

Geronimo Stilton Series, bk 51. Scholastic, 2012. ISBN 9780545341035.
(Ages: 7-10) Highly recommended. This series is the most popular in our library; the novels hardly spend any time on the shelf! Each book is a fabumouse, fast-paced adventure featuring Geronimo Stilton the editor of The Rodents' Gazette. The readers love the colourful word-art, bright illustrations and cheesy puns.
This book stays true to type as Geronimo and his friends embark on another exciting escapade. Petunia Pretty Paws an environmentalist and TV reporter (who is Geronimo's crush), invites him to go scuba diving in the South Mousific Ocean, staying on Shell Island. Whilst diving for the first time, Geronimo discovers a giant blue oyster with a huge glowing pearl inside. This leads to a rollicking adventure with plenty of problems from the Provolone family. When Geronimo publishes a special feature about the pearl in The Rodent's Gazette more difficulties occur. Luckily Aunt Sweetfur, Benjamin and Bugsy Wugsy help to save the day.
This series is a great for boosting the independent readers' confidence. They are written in the first person making it easy to empathise with Geronimo and his quirky character traits. He sometimes lacks in self-belief and has a great support network of friends and family. This book starts with a colourful illustration of all of Geronimo Stilton's colleagues, family and friends in his office at the Gazette and ends with a detailed map of Mouse Island.
I would highly recommend this book as a great addition to the series. Reading them with a class can lead into some cheesetastic learning activities: rebus stories, writing a new adventure for the characters, mapping skills, develop class newsletters adding different font styles and types as embellishment.
Rhyllis Bignell