School Library Journal : Grade 1-3–Stink Moody, Judy's little brother, is sure he can win the Super-Stinky Sneaker Contest because he has such a supersensitive nose. When his class goes to the Gross-Me-Out exhibit at the science museum, the second grader is able to identify every smell in the Everybody Stinks exhibit, from bad breath to B.O. This ability really impresses his classmates. He becomes Mr. Nose-it-all, and he hopes one day to smell a corpse flower, which has the worst odor in the entire world. When cancellation of the contest is threatened because one of the judges is sick, Stink's teacher comes up with a unique way to save the day, but it would mean that Stink would have to give up becoming a contestant. Stink is a delightful protagonist, comical and bright, and McDonald cleverly imparts information on smells. The characters ring true. The early chapter-book format is inviting, with lots of white space, occasional illustrations, and a vocabulary that stretches but doesn't strain young readers. A funny book worthy of being added to almost any collection.

Booklist : From the class trip to the science museum's "Gross-Me-Out" exhibit to experiments with toilet water to a retelling of how, years before, baby Stink's dirty diaper inspired his name, this book rewards readers drawn by the word Stink in the title. After working to create the vilest entry in a smelly sneaker contest, Stink proves his worth as a substitute judge. Some readers will find that the recurring references to stench grow tiresome, but others will enjoy watching Stink take his first steps toward his chosen career: professional smeller. Appealing artwork adds to this humorous chapter book's, uh, charm.