Official Review: The Stinkies by Jacqueline Stokes

Elizabeth Pass · Post by **Elizabeth Pass** » 26 Aug 2020, 15:04

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Stinkies" by Jacqueline Stokes.]

1 out of 4 stars

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The Stinkies by Jacqueline Stokes is a children's book centered around the Cummings family. It has aspects of science fiction and was originally a screenplay.

Based on the front cover design and the back cover description, one would think this book is about the little league baseball team called, The Stinkies. Alternatively, one could think it was about a family visiting a different planet, and struggling to get back home. While both of these appear in the book, I wouldn't say either accurately describes what the book is actually about. It ended up being more about the personal and professional rivalry between two dads.

John and Phil are both competing in the Meteoroid Environment Collection Campaign. The person or team with the most meteorites and/or compiled data will win grant money that can be used towards a charity project of their choosing. John wants nothing more than to upgrade his sons' baseball field, the field he also played in as a boy. Phil wants nothing to do with John. He scoffs at John's offer to work together and berates him for even suggesting it. A few days later, at the state fair, the family makes a wish upon Sputnik, the old spacecraft. Magically, they're transmitted to the planet Schlock. The aliens all look human, but the family can't seem to find a bathroom!

I expected to meet the cute children from the cover of the book. The coach in the back almost looks like an afterthought since he's not drawn in the same style. I'm not a baseball fan, but I thought a story about an underdog little league team would be inspirational and enjoyable. Unfortunately, the only children I met were John's two sons and Phil's son. Additionally, the only time anyone is playing baseball is on the first two pages.

The book is written in the present tense but switches often to the past tense. There are also quite a few other mistakes, including spelling one of the character's names wrong (Phillip and Philip). There are a few aspects of the story that seemed out of place, especially for a children's book. For example, halfway through the story, we're told that John's wife, Phyllis, used to be involved with Phil, but that she chose John instead. This unrequited love becomes a motive for Phil's behavior. The added layer of the story seemed unnecessary and overly complicated.

Overall, I was not a fan of this book. The story dragged, was lacking in substance, and felt disjointed. I rate this book 1 out of 4 stars. I would not recommend this to others.

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The Stinkies
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Ada Ling · Post by **Ada Ling** » 27 Aug 2020, 11:08

Looks this book has quite a few areas for improvement. Thank you for the honest review.

TCG · Post by **TCG** » 27 Aug 2020, 16:24

For me, I thought it was a baseball team novel when I started. Good job. This review is honest.

Ify_Reviewer · Post by **Ify_Reviewer** » 29 Aug 2020, 04:22

It seems another edition could help to polish things up. Thanks for the review

antilochos · Post by **antilochos** » 02 Sep 2020, 18:57

I think the fact that the book cover does not reflect the book's story is an early red flag. It seems that the book's plot is overly convoluted for children's book.

PeterRabitt20 · Post by **PeterRabitt20** » 10 Jan 2021, 20:57

I'm not sure that the issue with Phil is an appropriate topic for a children's book. Good call on your part for pointing that out. Thanks for your honest review.