Rise of the G.E.M.S. follows a lovable pack of mice as they are experimented on in a lab and subsequently sent to space, with the intention of being left on the International Space Station. Due to the experimentation, one of the mice is able to understand human speech and capable of reading, making him aware of the plans to leave his pack in space. Though the other mice do not believe him (in spite of their own mutations) he enacts his plan to prevent their abandonment. Shenanigans follow.

This book was cute and I appreciated the end matter that explained what G.E.M.S. are in the real world. My only issue with the book was the abrupt ending. I know it was to leave room for a second book, but it just felt like an incomplete story rather than one adventure that was leading into the next.

This is another informative graphic novel. I love it when authors take a real thing and make it into something that is palatable for learning. While it is definitely magical realism, G.E.M Genetically Modified Mice is a real thing that happens today. This book has colorful images and lots of action to keep readers engaged. At the end of the book there is a useful chapter with Q&A about the real life mice, including questions about the morality of modifying a living creature.