Language Note: Mr. Stink includes derogatory words for people who are unhoused. The guide reproduces these terms in direct quotes only to convey the text’s criticism of people who say these words.

Mr. Stink is the nickname for an unhoused man who spends most of his time on a wooden bench with his little dog, Duchess. The townspeople are usually polite to him, but only Chloe, a 12-year-old girl, is friendly to him. Despite her mother’s snobbery toward Mr. Stink, Chloe is curious about his past and believes that he has an interesting story to share.

Chloe often daydreams about Mr. Stink, coming up with different explanations for how he came to live on a park bench, and wonders about his real name. Even though Chloe attends an expensive private school, she feels she can relate to Mr. Stink, as he seems lonely, like her. Chloe is not close to her parents and doesn’t have friends at school.

During Christmastime, a holiday Chloe does not enjoy, she decides to finally approach Mr. Stink. She is surprised by his “posh” voice but struggles to be close to him because of his odor. Chloe explains that she was given five pounds and wants Mr.