Module 13: Missile Mouse: The Star Crusher

Missile Mouse: The Star Crusher by Jake Parker

Summary: Secret agent Missile Mouse has a mission to perform, and with his super mouse powers it seems like nothing can stop him. His mission begins on the fifth planet in the Vasa Star System, where he has been sent to find a Star Compass. While there, he runs into not only a mouse eating parasite, but also a formidable foe named Gurne. Gurn steals the Star Compass from Missile Mouse, and leaves him to be eaten by the parasite. Missile Mouse miraculously survives, and is soon sent to save the universe from the Star Crusher, which can destroy the universe. In order to do this, he must first rescue the scientist who helped to create the device, but has been kidnapped by the RIP, or Rogue Imperium of Planets. While on his journey Missile Mouse finds that in order to defeat the enemies, he has to look deep into himself, and to the promise his dad once gave him to always remember he was a "mouse who matters".

APA Reference: Parker, J. (2010). Missile Mouse: The star crusher. New York, NY: Graphix.

Impressions: Missile Mouse will be sure to appeal to the same fans who love super heroes and Star Wars. Missile Mouse is a somewhat cheeky mouse, not too different from the popular Hans Solo from Star Wars. As he battles the villains, it seems like he is never short of ideas to get out of tricky situations with the help of his zapper type gun, and detonators he uses to blow things up. Also reminiscent of Star Wars is General Nivlak, who resembles Darth Vadar, all the interesting foes Missile Mouse must fight, and the space ships which are constantly flying through the air. The story line will be sure to keep even reluctant reader's reading, and the graphics go along nicely with the story to create a fun visual experience reminiscent of watching a movie.

Professional Review:
Gr 3-6 –Brimming with sci-fi action and futuristic gadgetry, Missile Mouse comes across as a James Bond meets Han Solo for the middle-grade crowd. The cocky, big-eared rodent is a secret agent for the Galactic Security Agency (GSA) who prefers to do things the “quick and messy” way. This penchant for disruption has the GSA keeping close tabs on him. When brilliant scientist Ulrich Vondorf is kidnapped by the evil Rogue Imperium of Planets (RIP), MissileMouse is tasked with retrieving him. Adding importance to the mission is the fact that Vondorf has knowledge of the black hole-creating Star Crusher, which RIP could use to bring the universe to its knees. While the plot, featuring rescue missions and against-the-clock thrills, doesn’t break new ground, it is satisfyingly efficient. Rarely is a panel wasted. The modern, richly colored illustrations will keep readers visually interested throughout. Entertaining, well-executed, and likely to circulate feverishly as soon as it hits the shelf, this first installment in a graphic novel series should have scores of devoted fans in no time.

Jonker, T. (2010, January 01). [Review of the book Missile Mouse: The star crusher, by J. Parker]. School library journal, 56(1), 66. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/

Library Uses: Pair up with other books about space for a fun program on space. Invite a local astronomer to visit, and have them make an entertaining presentation on space, stars, planets, and other unusual things from space. If this program is done at night, have the astronomer bring a telescope so the kids can check out some of the cool things they can see in space.