Graphic novel fans will love the fast-paced adventure of the G.E.M.S. (Genetically Engineered Mice in Space). Each of these lab mice has been genetically modified to have special superpower-like skills, and eventually they find out why. The scientists are going to launch them into space and leave them on the International Space Station. The illustrations were bright and exciting, and the backmatter about genetically engineered animals was particularly interesting.

“Rise of the G.E.M.S.” is an early graphic novel that serves as an excellent transitional text for younger elementary readers who may not yet be ready for more complex works in the graphic novel format. The vibrant, full-color illustrations are visually engaging and likely to appeal to this age group. Based on my own experience as a parent of graphic novel enthusiasts, the preference for full-color over black-and-white panels is significant—these are consistently the books my children, and my library patrons, choose first. While the narrative is light-hearted, it introduces themes that could prompt meaningful discussions about animal testing, ethical treatment of animals in scientific research, and the challenges of long-term space habitation. The author’s note at the end offers a useful springboard for further inquiry, especially in an instructional context. This is a great book to recommend to teachers and homeschool parents. However, the inclusion of implied alcohol use in the beginning struck me as unusual, given the intended audience's young age.
Thank you to NetGallery and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

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.