Olga and the Smelly Thing From Nowhere

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Andersen - Westbrook High School, Westbrook, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 4, 2018

Review

Olga loves animals and science. She lives and breathes the scientific method: observations, experiments, and hypotheses. When she finds a thing in her shed that looks like a cross between a hamster and a potato, she must really put her science skills to work to figure out what it is. The story is told in a style of words and graphics similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The humor is quirky with a lot of jokes about bodily functions. It is a good choice for reluctant readers. The only drawback to this book was the stereotypes it perpetuated between smart girls like Olga and the “Lalas” girls who like beauty and pop culture. It is possible for girls to be both smart and interested in fashion, and the humor around this topic felt too snarky and judgemental. The second book in this series will be released in March.

Overall Book Score: good