In the sixth book in Dav Pilkey's adventure series aimed at younger readers, Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Stupid Stinkbugs from Saturn by Dav Pilkey, illus. by Martin Ontiveros, a smelly space monster kidnaps Ricky's cousin Lucy. When Sergeant Stinkbug captures Ricky's Mighty Robot too, it's Ricky's turn to save the day.

Mouse Ricky Ricotta is visiting his cousin Lucy when Sergeant Stinkbug and his army arrive from Saturn with a plan to take over Earth. These stinkers kidnap Lucy, but, as usual, Ricky's robot comes to the rescue. Illustrated with black-and-white comic-book-style images, the slight story is so similar to others in the series (this is the sixth offering) that even fans may find it boring.

Gr 2-4-In their sixth adventure, young mouse Ricky and his robot friend battle Sergeant Stinkbug and his foul-smelling hordes. The iniquitous insects need a new realm to pollute, so they launch their garbage-can spaceship, planning to kidnap the king of Earth and take over the planet. Unfortunately, they snatch Ricky's cousin Lucy instead. Ricky and the Mighty Robot ride to the rescue, accompanied by Lucy's unusual pet jackrabbits, which were introduced in Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Jurassic Jackrabbits from Jupiter (Scholastic, 2002). When Sergeant Stinkbug's Grow-Big Gumballs put the robot out of commission, it is up to the children to dump the trash troops and save the world once again. The short, easy-reading text is highlighted by Pilkey's off-the-wall, deadpan humor. The black-and-white cartoons and the Flip-O-Rama pages add to the comic-book effect. This is a lighthearted transitional chapter book that will have strong appeal to reluctant readers.-Elaine E. Knight Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.