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Dinosaur Boy #1
Dinosaur Boy
Sometimes being different is good...even if it means having a tail and spikes
Everyone knows the dinosaur gene skips a generation. So it wasn't a complete surprise when Sawyer sprouted a tail and spikes before he started fifth grade. After all, his grandfather was part stegosaurus.
Despite Principal Mathis's Zero Tolerance Policy, Sawyer is a bully magnet, befriended only by BFF Elliot and the weird new girl. When the bullies start disappearing, Sawyer is relieved-until he discovers a secret about the principal that's more shocking than Dino DNA. Now it's up to the unlikely trio to rescue their tormentors from a galactically horrible fate.
Everyone knows the dinosaur gene skips a generation. So it wasn't a complete surprise when Sawyer sprouted a tail and spikes before he started fifth grade. After all, his grandfather was part stegosaurus.
Despite Principal Mathis's Zero Tolerance Policy, Sawyer is a bully magnet, befriended only by BFF Elliot and the weird new girl. When the bullies start disappearing, Sawyer is relieved-until he discovers a secret about the principal that's more shocking than Dino DNA. Now it's up to the unlikely trio to rescue their tormentors from a galactically horrible fate.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 3, 2015
About the author
Cory Putman Oakes
9 books211 followersCory Putman Oakes was born in Basel, Switzerland, but grew up in Novato, California and attended Marin Catholic High School. She then spent three fantastic years at the University of California at Los Angeles before graduating in 2001 with a B.A. in Psychology. In 2004, Cory graduated from Cornell Law School with a Juris Doctorate Degree and her husband, Mark (the first was the intended consequence of attending the school, the second was a bonus). Since then, she has been an associate at a big law firm, taught business law to undergraduates at Texas State University and written several books for young people.
Cory now lives in Austin, Texas with Mark and their two kids. In addition to writing, Cory enjoys reading, cooking, running, and hanging out with her family and pets.
Cory now lives in Austin, Texas with Mark and their two kids. In addition to writing, Cory enjoys reading, cooking, running, and hanging out with her family and pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
January 31, 2015
ADORABLE. I chuckled throughout the whole thing, and at one point I giggled so hard that the bed shook and I woke my husband.
Review to come!
Review to come!
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November 28, 2018Funny and exciting with many strange twists and turns this book was a very fun read aloud for my fourth grader to read to my first grader. Sparked some interesting conversations on everything from DNA and life on other planets, to bullying and making friends. Readers may also enjoy The Wild Robot by Peter Brown or Mac B. Kid Spy series by Mac Barnet.
AR book level 5.1 – Alexis S.
AR book level 5.1 – Alexis S.
November 28, 2014
Young readers will LOVE this book! A fun, interesting read with themes of acceptance and friendship.
July 5, 2015
This book is awesome! This book is great! I liked it because it was funny. Sawyer turned into a dinosaur, then he went to school and people made fun of him. Then the kids who were making fun of him got kicked out for teasing him about being a dinosaur. And Allan was the meanest, he had a "Butt Brain" chant. I recommend this for everybody.
December 12, 2019
funny book i like ring toss
May 26, 2016
I can definitely see the draw to this book - dinosaurs, what? But having read it, I have to wonder if the people giving it 5 stars are Jupiterians (ugh).
What could have been an amazing look at social issues, including bullying, trans issues, and several others, fell amazingly short. While the book doesn't specifically mention transgender, it uses a similar language, referring to the unethical use of species reassignment surgery (but of course Sawyer can't change what he is - he is a dinosaur and that's that which implies that a trans person should not have gender reassignment therapy, blech)
The book mainly focuses on bullying, but rather than either side learning lessons, Sawyer ends up saving everyone and it's all just happy go lucky after that.
It also felt like there was too much forced into a single book. Dinosaur genes, aliens, and selling of humans as pets? Pick one antagonist, and deal with the next in another book.
I also thought that it spoke down to its readers a bit. Not just in language but in reveals. At the end, there's a plot twist of a magical cure unavailable on the market. Sawyer's grandfather has taken it and is no longer a dinosaur hybrid - but this doesn't get mentioned for 4 pages of discussion between the two of them.
I could go on, but I think I've ranted enough. I read this book because it was named a Sunshine State Reader for this year, but I honestly don't think it deserves it.
What could have been an amazing look at social issues, including bullying, trans issues, and several others, fell amazingly short. While the book doesn't specifically mention transgender, it uses a similar language, referring to the unethical use of species reassignment surgery (but of course Sawyer can't change what he is - he is a dinosaur and that's that which implies that a trans person should not have gender reassignment therapy, blech)
The book mainly focuses on bullying, but rather than either side learning lessons, Sawyer ends up saving everyone and it's all just happy go lucky after that.
It also felt like there was too much forced into a single book. Dinosaur genes, aliens, and selling of humans as pets? Pick one antagonist, and deal with the next in another book.
I also thought that it spoke down to its readers a bit. Not just in language but in reveals. At the end, there's a plot twist of a magical cure unavailable on the market. Sawyer's grandfather has taken it and is no longer a dinosaur hybrid - but this doesn't get mentioned for 4 pages of discussion between the two of them.
I could go on, but I think I've ranted enough. I read this book because it was named a Sunshine State Reader for this year, but I honestly don't think it deserves it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2017
This year I started reading any book my son asked me to as a way to encourage his reading because it is always better to have someone to discuss a book with. So going in I knew I am not the target demographic for this book, but I like weird and quirky stories as much as the next reader so I went in with an open mind.
But I definitely didn't see that twist halfway through. Maybe this book might be a little too out there for me.
I did appreciate how much my son liked it. I also like how the author shines a light on the absurdity of bullying.
Still torn on how I really feel but I will give the sequel a go.
But I definitely didn't see that twist halfway through. Maybe this book might be a little too out there for me.
I did appreciate how much my son liked it. I also like how the author shines a light on the absurdity of bullying.
Still torn on how I really feel but I will give the sequel a go.
February 11, 2015
Sure to pull at your heart in all the right places, Dinosaur Boy is a great choice for boys and girls, fans of science fiction or not. It's a great story about a kid who finds out that he has inherited the dinosaur gene, something which his mom is thrilled about but that he himself wishes would just go away. This is a story about learning to accept ourselves for who and what we are and similarly learning to accept others. It's like WONDER but with dinosaurs, and is a story that will stay with you long after you've set the book down.
March 29, 2018
A clever, surprisingly moving allegory for the lives of special-accommodation kids. The plot gets a little out of hand at the end, but still an interesting effort. Recommended.
August 22, 2020
This book was extremely creative and absolutely loved it. The only work it needs is probably on the title because it sorta sounds like a four year old book.
November 6, 2022
It was adventurous.
January 31, 2015
3.5 stars
Ten Second Synopsis:
Sawyer thinks that sprouting plates and a tail is the weirdest thing that will happen to him this year. He is mistaken.
Dinosaur Boy was a really strange creature in my opinion. It’s a little bit of a triumphing over the bullies tale. It’s got definite sci-fi elements. There’s a theme about being yourself running throughout. It’s got a bit of a detective vibe to it. So really, you could either take the tack that this book has got something for everyone….or say that this book didn’t really know what it was trying to be.
By the end of the tale, I was fairly convinced that the author had settled on this being a story that would (in the next book in the series, at least) stake its claim in sci-fi territory, but up until then I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it all.
Sawyer is a bit of an “everyman” character (despite the plates and tale) – he’s likeable, generally average, a good friend, and an authentic representation of a boy of his age trying to get along in life while everyone else seems to have it out for him. I enjoyed the contrast that was set up early on, between Sawyer’s tentative delight and curiosity at developing the family mutation, and his subsequent shame and confusion as he endures the slings and arrows of classmates that seem to have nothing better to do than pick on the kid who looks a little bit different.
The narrative comes together in the end, despite some very odd plot twists, and overall, I did enjoy the story. I would have loved to have seen more made of the whole “dinosaur-gene” and how it came to be. The author focuses on this a little at the start of the book and then it sort of falls by the wayside as the plot twists are revealed. I’m not sure that this will bother middle-grade readers particularly, but I wanted more than just a cursory explanation for why the main character needed to be part-dinosaur.
This certainly wasn’t anything spectacular from my point of view. I suspect it will make a nice addition to the “Wimpy Kid” area of the library and will garner some laughs from the target audience, but I felt that the world building was a little lacking here and as the second book seems to be taking things off-planet, I would have preferred a stronger foundation to be built on familiar terra firma first.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Sawyer thinks that sprouting plates and a tail is the weirdest thing that will happen to him this year. He is mistaken.
Dinosaur Boy was a really strange creature in my opinion. It’s a little bit of a triumphing over the bullies tale. It’s got definite sci-fi elements. There’s a theme about being yourself running throughout. It’s got a bit of a detective vibe to it. So really, you could either take the tack that this book has got something for everyone….or say that this book didn’t really know what it was trying to be.
By the end of the tale, I was fairly convinced that the author had settled on this being a story that would (in the next book in the series, at least) stake its claim in sci-fi territory, but up until then I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it all.
Sawyer is a bit of an “everyman” character (despite the plates and tale) – he’s likeable, generally average, a good friend, and an authentic representation of a boy of his age trying to get along in life while everyone else seems to have it out for him. I enjoyed the contrast that was set up early on, between Sawyer’s tentative delight and curiosity at developing the family mutation, and his subsequent shame and confusion as he endures the slings and arrows of classmates that seem to have nothing better to do than pick on the kid who looks a little bit different.
The narrative comes together in the end, despite some very odd plot twists, and overall, I did enjoy the story. I would have loved to have seen more made of the whole “dinosaur-gene” and how it came to be. The author focuses on this a little at the start of the book and then it sort of falls by the wayside as the plot twists are revealed. I’m not sure that this will bother middle-grade readers particularly, but I wanted more than just a cursory explanation for why the main character needed to be part-dinosaur.
This certainly wasn’t anything spectacular from my point of view. I suspect it will make a nice addition to the “Wimpy Kid” area of the library and will garner some laughs from the target audience, but I felt that the world building was a little lacking here and as the second book seems to be taking things off-planet, I would have preferred a stronger foundation to be built on familiar terra firma first.
October 27, 2020
In this humorous middle grade book, readers see an alternative world where dinosaur/human hybrids exist though they are rare. The main character's dinosaur characteristics have come out over the summer and now he is returning to school. Sawyer copes with bullying, new friendship, his changing body (could there be a better analogy for puberty than learning to manage the dinosaur part of yourself), and beings from other planets. Together with his two friends, he rescues the bullies from their unusual principal's nefarious plans and comes to some peace with his new body type.
Putman Oakes takes on some serious topics under the fun and humor.
Putman Oakes takes on some serious topics under the fun and humor.
August 25, 2016
Dinosaur Boy
It all started with a bump. A little one. Right on the back of my neck.
- First Sentence
And so begins Sawyer's big summer change. Last summer, Sawyer's friend, Elliot grew 5 whole inches. Sawyer's change is a bit different, he has the dinosaur gene and is growing plates, a tail and spikes (he is part Stegosaurus). This is unusual, but not unheard of. Scientists at Amalgam Labs experimented with DNA hybridization and created human/dinosaur hybrids, so now some children exhibit dinosaur characteristics.
When Sawyer returns to school (5th grade), he is the target of bullies, with the intensity increasing as the days go by. The new principal claims to be there to protect Sawyer and she begins expelling anyone caught bullying him. But, her intentions may not be completely altruistic.
As the book proceeds, Sawyer, Elliot and the strange new girl become fast friends and try to fight the bullies. But, they also discover that the principal may not be what she seems. And as bullies continue to disappear, Sawyer and his friends start to wonder where they are going exactly.
This is a cute book that kids will enjoy. I knew something was going on, but the twist took me by surprise. I think the kids will be surprised too.
[spoiler]
I mean I thought the principal was maybe involved with the lab or something, but to find out she is a pet supplier from Mars? Where did that come from?
[/spoiler]
I thought this book had no real substance, just a fun story - nothing wrong with that. However, when I got to the end of the book, I found a surprise. The Author's Note explains different ways that dinosaurs and people who study them are part of the book. It is a great explanation and gives kids a lot of information about the study of dinosaurs. An unexpected bit of learning that will please dinosaur fans. It is like finding Easter Eggs in a game or DVD = FUN.
Recommended to:
Readers in grades 3-5 who like their fiction with a dash of science mixed with dinosaurs.
It all started with a bump. A little one. Right on the back of my neck.
- First Sentence
And so begins Sawyer's big summer change. Last summer, Sawyer's friend, Elliot grew 5 whole inches. Sawyer's change is a bit different, he has the dinosaur gene and is growing plates, a tail and spikes (he is part Stegosaurus). This is unusual, but not unheard of. Scientists at Amalgam Labs experimented with DNA hybridization and created human/dinosaur hybrids, so now some children exhibit dinosaur characteristics.
When Sawyer returns to school (5th grade), he is the target of bullies, with the intensity increasing as the days go by. The new principal claims to be there to protect Sawyer and she begins expelling anyone caught bullying him. But, her intentions may not be completely altruistic.
As the book proceeds, Sawyer, Elliot and the strange new girl become fast friends and try to fight the bullies. But, they also discover that the principal may not be what she seems. And as bullies continue to disappear, Sawyer and his friends start to wonder where they are going exactly.
This is a cute book that kids will enjoy. I knew something was going on, but the twist took me by surprise. I think the kids will be surprised too.
[spoiler]
I mean I thought the principal was maybe involved with the lab or something, but to find out she is a pet supplier from Mars? Where did that come from?
[/spoiler]
I thought this book had no real substance, just a fun story - nothing wrong with that. However, when I got to the end of the book, I found a surprise. The Author's Note explains different ways that dinosaurs and people who study them are part of the book. It is a great explanation and gives kids a lot of information about the study of dinosaurs. An unexpected bit of learning that will please dinosaur fans. It is like finding Easter Eggs in a game or DVD = FUN.
Recommended to:
Readers in grades 3-5 who like their fiction with a dash of science mixed with dinosaurs.
May 9, 2022
Really loving this book so far. It is a children's book about 5th grade level but like most books, the main character, bullies, and plot often often speaks about a totally different topic. These are completely my own thoughts and did not get this from either the author, her publisher, or any other review. I often believe bigger topics are masked in children's books.
Sawyer has gotten the dinosaur gene from his grandfather and has been developing his tail and plates all summer long. He has grown accustomed to and accepts his changes until his first few days back in school. The bullying begins. Even though the new principal comes to his defense and it taking a very strong stance against any harassment, the bullying continues. After being chased home with taunts, jeers, and being shot with waterguns, his mother consoles him with this quote, "Maybe it's good you can't make any hasty decisions about surgery or gene therapy that you might regret one day. Maybe it's good that you have some time to get used to it."
Once again, my own theory and thoughts, but I believe this may be discussing homosexuality. He was born with this gene and is being ridiculed for being different. He accepted it originally during the summer but now that he is being targeted, he wants to change, find a cure, or have surgery in order to be normal once again. He has thrown down the gauntlet to either get rid of his plight or be home schooled.
I love a book that can be about one thing on the surface but can be peeled to reveal another gem. I wonder what may have been behind the thought process for this book. Truely a book needed to explain what is occurring within a developing child without actually coming right out and saying the words. Maybe, I am merely reading to much into this and it is merely about a boy that developed a dinosaur tail with plates and spikes. But I can always imagine it is so much more. Either way, a wonderful read so far. I'm barely on pg 45 but very hooked and can't wait to read more by this author.
Ok, now back to this story.
Sawyer has gotten the dinosaur gene from his grandfather and has been developing his tail and plates all summer long. He has grown accustomed to and accepts his changes until his first few days back in school. The bullying begins. Even though the new principal comes to his defense and it taking a very strong stance against any harassment, the bullying continues. After being chased home with taunts, jeers, and being shot with waterguns, his mother consoles him with this quote, "Maybe it's good you can't make any hasty decisions about surgery or gene therapy that you might regret one day. Maybe it's good that you have some time to get used to it."
Once again, my own theory and thoughts, but I believe this may be discussing homosexuality. He was born with this gene and is being ridiculed for being different. He accepted it originally during the summer but now that he is being targeted, he wants to change, find a cure, or have surgery in order to be normal once again. He has thrown down the gauntlet to either get rid of his plight or be home schooled.
I love a book that can be about one thing on the surface but can be peeled to reveal another gem. I wonder what may have been behind the thought process for this book. Truely a book needed to explain what is occurring within a developing child without actually coming right out and saying the words. Maybe, I am merely reading to much into this and it is merely about a boy that developed a dinosaur tail with plates and spikes. But I can always imagine it is so much more. Either way, a wonderful read so far. I'm barely on pg 45 but very hooked and can't wait to read more by this author.
Ok, now back to this story.
March 23, 2015
We received this book via NetGalley to give an honest review.
I started reading this to K before bedtime and we could only read one chapter a night as the chapters were a bit long for us. K listened up to about chapter 16 and then he was losing interest so I ended up finishing the book myself. I think for K the long chapters were just a bit too much for him and I am not sure if he is fully ready for the chapter books like I hoped.
But anywho onto the review.
Dinosaur Boy is about a young boy named Sawyer who is human one minute and the next he has become a dinosaur. But he is not a carnivorous dinosaur he is a herbivore eating dinosaur. Now just because Sawyer has been turned into a dinosaur because of his DNA that has been passed to his generation he is the same person he has always been.
Now that he is considered different there are people in his school that like to pick on him and have become bullies. It is totally uncalled for as Sawyer stays to himself but that doesn't help matters. They throw things at him, laugh at him, use his plates as a ring toss.
As time goes on in school Sawyer and his best friend Elliot meet a new girl who is out of this world. And together they all learn that something suspicious is going on in their school to those that bully people.
Sawyer and his friends have to make a decision to either help the guys and girls who bully people out or let them be to their fate.
Now at the beginning there seemed to be a huge amount of information on the dinosaur gene and how it became to be which at times it did feel overwhelming.
Overall the story was good and I am glad that I gave it a chance to read. I liked the twist on the end and it had me remember that middle school books are always so much fun to read. This book I believe is better for the older kids to read maybe third grade on up.
Maybe when K reaches a certain age he will be willing to give this book a try.
I started reading this to K before bedtime and we could only read one chapter a night as the chapters were a bit long for us. K listened up to about chapter 16 and then he was losing interest so I ended up finishing the book myself. I think for K the long chapters were just a bit too much for him and I am not sure if he is fully ready for the chapter books like I hoped.
But anywho onto the review.
Dinosaur Boy is about a young boy named Sawyer who is human one minute and the next he has become a dinosaur. But he is not a carnivorous dinosaur he is a herbivore eating dinosaur. Now just because Sawyer has been turned into a dinosaur because of his DNA that has been passed to his generation he is the same person he has always been.
Now that he is considered different there are people in his school that like to pick on him and have become bullies. It is totally uncalled for as Sawyer stays to himself but that doesn't help matters. They throw things at him, laugh at him, use his plates as a ring toss.
As time goes on in school Sawyer and his best friend Elliot meet a new girl who is out of this world. And together they all learn that something suspicious is going on in their school to those that bully people.
Sawyer and his friends have to make a decision to either help the guys and girls who bully people out or let them be to their fate.
Now at the beginning there seemed to be a huge amount of information on the dinosaur gene and how it became to be which at times it did feel overwhelming.
Overall the story was good and I am glad that I gave it a chance to read. I liked the twist on the end and it had me remember that middle school books are always so much fun to read. This book I believe is better for the older kids to read maybe third grade on up.
Maybe when K reaches a certain age he will be willing to give this book a try.
January 2, 2015
Suppose your grandfather worked in a major science lab and one day someone added dinosaur DNA into the ice cream in the cafeteria? What if he became a human/dinosaur hybrid and the genes were passed down to you? How you would you like to go through 5th grade with stegosaurus plates down your back and a long spiked tail? (I'm pretty sure that 5th grade is hard enough all on its own.) Sawyer Bronson is actually living out this situation. Over the summer his dinosaur genes decide to kick in and he comes back to school looking a bit different than he did at the end of 4th grade. Most of his classmates take this as the perfect opportunity to tease or bully him. Unfortunately for them, the new principal is very serious about the zero tolerance policy. Classmates are expelled when Principal Mathis catches them picking on Sawyer. It seems like having the principal on your side would be a good thing, right? But what if rumors begin to circulate that the expelled students have not been in contact with any of their friends and it is suspected that Sawyer has eaten them? (Even though we all know that a stegosaurus is an herbivore.) Sawyer and his friends Elliott and Sylvie decide to investigate and get some answers.
A perfect middle grade novel. Dinosaur Boy has humor, dinosaurs, bullies, good friends, lots of laughs, and maybe some of the bullies even learn a thing or two about their behavior. And this is not just a book for boys - Sawyer's friends Sylvie is a great female character and readers of either gender will enjoy the action, intrigue, and humor in the story. Give it try!
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
A perfect middle grade novel. Dinosaur Boy has humor, dinosaurs, bullies, good friends, lots of laughs, and maybe some of the bullies even learn a thing or two about their behavior. And this is not just a book for boys - Sawyer's friends Sylvie is a great female character and readers of either gender will enjoy the action, intrigue, and humor in the story. Give it try!
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
December 15, 2015
Originally published here: https://heatherreviews.wordpress.com/...
_______________________________
Dinosaur Boy is a charming tale that deals with the issue most kids face with bullying. With a fantastic cast of truly diverse characters, sprinklings of humour, and a twist that’s out of this world, kids will love this book.
Sawyer, like most kids, has grown over the summer. Only, he hasn’t gotten taller, he’s grown a new tail and plates down his bag. Sawyer is part-dinosaur – stegosaurus to be exact – just like his grandfather, who’s a scientist for Amalgam Labs. After an accident in the Labs, some two hundred scientists were given dinosaur DNA and turned into human-dinosaur hybrids. Now Sawyer has inherited that gene and has to deal with the new attention from his classmates.
The new principal – Principal Mathias – has a zero tolerance policy on bullying, and when Sawyer’s bullies are immediately expelled, Sawyer doesn’t think anything more of it. Until the friend of one of the expelled boys tells him that they haven’t been seen since.
Along with his best friend, Elliot (a normal, human kid), and the new girl, Sylvie (who has some secrets of her own), Sawyer tries to find out what exactly happened to the kids.
I loved this story, it was a really great read with some interesting twists in there that I’m sure kids will enjoy. It teaches a great message about tolerance and acceptance as well. A fantastic story and a quick read. One to keep an eye out for!
_______________________________
Dinosaur Boy is a charming tale that deals with the issue most kids face with bullying. With a fantastic cast of truly diverse characters, sprinklings of humour, and a twist that’s out of this world, kids will love this book.
Sawyer, like most kids, has grown over the summer. Only, he hasn’t gotten taller, he’s grown a new tail and plates down his bag. Sawyer is part-dinosaur – stegosaurus to be exact – just like his grandfather, who’s a scientist for Amalgam Labs. After an accident in the Labs, some two hundred scientists were given dinosaur DNA and turned into human-dinosaur hybrids. Now Sawyer has inherited that gene and has to deal with the new attention from his classmates.
The new principal – Principal Mathias – has a zero tolerance policy on bullying, and when Sawyer’s bullies are immediately expelled, Sawyer doesn’t think anything more of it. Until the friend of one of the expelled boys tells him that they haven’t been seen since.
Along with his best friend, Elliot (a normal, human kid), and the new girl, Sylvie (who has some secrets of her own), Sawyer tries to find out what exactly happened to the kids.
I loved this story, it was a really great read with some interesting twists in there that I’m sure kids will enjoy. It teaches a great message about tolerance and acceptance as well. A fantastic story and a quick read. One to keep an eye out for!
January 24, 2015
DINOSAUR BOY by Cory Putman Oakes is a goofy new science fiction series. Featuring human-dinosaur hybrids and aliens, it’s the perfect combination for middle-grade readers.
During summer vacation, Sawyer is growing spikes and a tail. His school has a zero tolerance policy for bullying human-dinosaur hybrids. However when the bullies begin disappearing, Sawyer and his friends find themselves in an “out of this world” cover-up involving aliens and an interplanetary pet market.
Although the premise is silly and the situations predictable, important themes including bullying, racial identity, and friendship are skillfully woven through the narrative. Even reluctant readers will enjoy the fast-paced, action-packed story.
Fans of books like Boy or Beast and Aliens on Vacation will dive into this science fiction adventure.
Dinosaur fans will be intrigued by the idea of Dino DNA and the author’s note will encourage them to re-read the story again for hidden details. Librarians will enjoy building dinosaur displays to highlight this popular new series.
Available February 3, 2015 and published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, a NetGalley ARC was used for the review.
During summer vacation, Sawyer is growing spikes and a tail. His school has a zero tolerance policy for bullying human-dinosaur hybrids. However when the bullies begin disappearing, Sawyer and his friends find themselves in an “out of this world” cover-up involving aliens and an interplanetary pet market.
Although the premise is silly and the situations predictable, important themes including bullying, racial identity, and friendship are skillfully woven through the narrative. Even reluctant readers will enjoy the fast-paced, action-packed story.
Fans of books like Boy or Beast and Aliens on Vacation will dive into this science fiction adventure.
Dinosaur fans will be intrigued by the idea of Dino DNA and the author’s note will encourage them to re-read the story again for hidden details. Librarians will enjoy building dinosaur displays to highlight this popular new series.
Available February 3, 2015 and published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, a NetGalley ARC was used for the review.
February 25, 2017
I read Dinosaur Boy and it was as crazy as the title implies. This book takes the "F**k everything, let's just do everything in our power to make this as wacky and strange as possible. How about instead of one plot twist, let's have freaking 300 of them! Let's do all kinds of s**t and make it as cute as possible so the audience can forgive us!" Wait, what are we talking about again? Oh yeah, my first LSD trip-without the drug itself. Anyway, although the magic mushrooms effect of cramming as much crazy stuff as possible does sometimes work in it's favor, it can become so scatterbrained that things go flinging everywhere all they way past the Jupiterians. Also, what? Jupiterians? Also, now there are aliens from mars to, I guess? And they all have bad eyesight? I didn't expect Speed trips to be so powerful, jeez. Huh, who are you? What's happening? One second there where dino people and then something about commentary on bullies? I have so many questions-like why this is making my brain hurt. Oh yeah, cause nothing makes sense in this damn Ayahuasca trip.
EHHHHHHHHHHHH 69/420 and 5/( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°).
EHHHHHHHHHHHH 69/420 and 5/( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°).
June 29, 2017
If this review was strictly up to me, it would probably only get 3 stars. However, I read this aloud to my five year old and he loved it. We received a plush stegosaurus with the book. It read with us every night. My son loves both of them. It appears there is a sequel also. The boy wants to read that one too.
It's a quick read, with language easy for young readers to understand. It tackles some important issues like racism, justice, and bullying in a fresh way given the main character is treated differently because he's part dinosaur. Some of the bullies are so vindictive that it almost makes it implausible that the main character would still risk anything to help them later in the book. It would be interesting to see how all of the characters relate once the crisis of the book is over, but the wrap up is a bit rushed and we only get full resolution with Sawyer, the main character. His friend Sylvie is left with zero resolution and we don't see what happens to any of the bullies post-conflict. It would have been nice to see how everyone meshed the next day at school.
Even so, it was fun and a big hit with its target audience.
It's a quick read, with language easy for young readers to understand. It tackles some important issues like racism, justice, and bullying in a fresh way given the main character is treated differently because he's part dinosaur. Some of the bullies are so vindictive that it almost makes it implausible that the main character would still risk anything to help them later in the book. It would be interesting to see how all of the characters relate once the crisis of the book is over, but the wrap up is a bit rushed and we only get full resolution with Sawyer, the main character. His friend Sylvie is left with zero resolution and we don't see what happens to any of the bullies post-conflict. It would have been nice to see how everyone meshed the next day at school.
Even so, it was fun and a big hit with its target audience.
March 25, 2015
As a result of some science experiments that went wrong some scientists and their descendents now have a dinosaur gene that manifests itself in different ways. The gene skips a generation so sawyer knows he will probably exhibit some sort of dinosaur characteristic as some point and right before fifth grade he grows a tail and bony plates.
Well if that doesn't single you out for bullying I don't know what does. The only thing is that the new principal has a zero tolerance policy on bullies and those who bully Sawyer disappear.
Enter Sylvie, a new student. Sawyer, Sylvie, and Sawyer's best friend Elliot soon find themselves investigating the disappearances and along the way find out that the dinosaur gene might not be the weirdest thing going on.
I found the book to be amusing but not fantastic. Not totally sure if i will buy it or not - I think my younger readers will like it so it's a maybe.
Well if that doesn't single you out for bullying I don't know what does. The only thing is that the new principal has a zero tolerance policy on bullies and those who bully Sawyer disappear.
Enter Sylvie, a new student. Sawyer, Sylvie, and Sawyer's best friend Elliot soon find themselves investigating the disappearances and along the way find out that the dinosaur gene might not be the weirdest thing going on.
I found the book to be amusing but not fantastic. Not totally sure if i will buy it or not - I think my younger readers will like it so it's a maybe.
August 11, 2016
Dinosaur Boy is a cute and unusual story about Sawyer, a kid who has dinosaur DNA and begins turning into a stegosaurus over summer vacation. When he returns to school, he has physical and emotional difficulties attending classes and interacting with some of his fellow students.
I really liked the anti-bullying message in this book. There is a strong theme of "different is okay." However, Sawyer doesn't deal with the bullies. Instead, the principal ships them off to "camp" to learn how to behave properly. But as Sawyer and his friends soon discover, there is no camp and there are some very strange things going on (yes, even stranger than a boy turning into a dinosaur).
My 8- and 10-year-old girls liked this book. I thought it was just okay. The writing was decent and the story was cute, but the plot twists were seriously farfetched and I thought that detracted from the story.
I really liked the anti-bullying message in this book. There is a strong theme of "different is okay." However, Sawyer doesn't deal with the bullies. Instead, the principal ships them off to "camp" to learn how to behave properly. But as Sawyer and his friends soon discover, there is no camp and there are some very strange things going on (yes, even stranger than a boy turning into a dinosaur).
My 8- and 10-year-old girls liked this book. I thought it was just okay. The writing was decent and the story was cute, but the plot twists were seriously farfetched and I thought that detracted from the story.
July 6, 2015
At first i was put off by Sawyer suddenly developing stegosaurus plates and tail, but then the explanation came quickly and I bough into it, even it is as far fetched a extra terrestrials. What kept me reading was the bullying story. What Sawyer experiences because he is different was sad, but so within the realm of children. His desire to be "normal" and his mother's comment that he was fine with his stegosaurus parts until he started fifth grade really hit home about how we view other people viewing us.
I also enjoyed the plot with the principal who as first seems to take care of Sawyer with the zero tolerance policy of bullying, but she has her own evil intentions too. The story wrapped up with some clever twists that make readers eager for the next book.
I also enjoyed the plot with the principal who as first seems to take care of Sawyer with the zero tolerance policy of bullying, but she has her own evil intentions too. The story wrapped up with some clever twists that make readers eager for the next book.
October 10, 2015
A fun book for kids 4-6th grade. One day Sawyer's back starts to itch, and before he knows it, he becomes part dinosaur. Not the scary T-Rex kind, but the calm, quiet, steady, herbivorous kind. Suddenly field greens and veggies make his mouth water - especially when drizzled with mole. Sawyer is taunted by two school bullies, and soon the new Principal, Mrs. Mathis, is defending his honor and strictly enforcing the school No Bully policy.
Sawyer and his loyal group of (two) outcast friends decide to find out what is happening in their school, even though it would be easier to not help those who taunted them.
A great lesson in friendship, being different, science experimentation, and Sci-Fi all wrapped in one fun, easy to read package.
Sawyer and his loyal group of (two) outcast friends decide to find out what is happening in their school, even though it would be easier to not help those who taunted them.
A great lesson in friendship, being different, science experimentation, and Sci-Fi all wrapped in one fun, easy to read package.
October 1, 2017
I read this book as it is a nominee for the Maud Hart Lovelace award this year. It is a fun science fiction story about a boy, Sawyer, who realizes as he prepares to start fifth grade, that he is part dinosaur. He is treated cruelly by many of his classmates, but his new principal is determined to severely discipline any bullies who mistreat Sawyer or anyone else. She takes zero tolerance to a whole new level! The students who are punished mysteriously disappear and Sawyer, along with his friends Elliot and Sylvie, set out to discover the truth of what their new principal is really up to. It's filled with humor and will be a big hit with my students. I look forward to more adventures in book two!
November 20, 2014
Over vacation, Sawyer succumbed to his dinosaur DNA and turned into a human dinosaur, complete with plates and tail.
The book is not funny, though the cover led me to believe it would be humorous.
The book is not a social commentary, though there are plenty of opportunities to help students understand prejudice or the difficulty of being different.
It isn't really a strong mystery, though the plot has a mystery with the principal.
It IS implausible...not in a willing-suspension-of-belief kind of hard to believe. Instead, there are many contrivances that do not aid in making a better book.
I rate this 3/5 stars. It's not horrible, but it's not very good either.
The book is not funny, though the cover led me to believe it would be humorous.
The book is not a social commentary, though there are plenty of opportunities to help students understand prejudice or the difficulty of being different.
It isn't really a strong mystery, though the plot has a mystery with the principal.
It IS implausible...not in a willing-suspension-of-belief kind of hard to believe. Instead, there are many contrivances that do not aid in making a better book.
I rate this 3/5 stars. It's not horrible, but it's not very good either.
March 23, 2015
This was charming. The fun story of a boy who is 12% dinosaur because of an accident in a laboratory. "Everyone knows that the dinosaur gene skips a generation." When Sawyer starts sprouting dinosaur features over the summer, he isn't surprised. He knew dinosaur genes ran in his family. Still in the Fall when he goes back to school many of the other kids bully him, there is a new principal at his school and she has a zero tolerance for bullies. She expels them instantly, after they leave the school where do they go. Soon Sawyer and his friends are convinced that something is happening to the bullies, and it isn't good.
May 7, 2016
This is a fun little science fiction book about a boy named Sawyer who has mutated dinosaur DNA that causes him to partially turn into a dinosaur. He's not contagious but the other kids at school treat him like a freak. There is also a zero tolerance policy at their school about bullying, so when kids are being mean to Sawyer, they get a phone call home and then they never come pack. Sawyer thinks something might be wrong so he enlists the help of two if his friends to save everyone. This one would be good for kids grade 3-5, maybe even into the 2nd grade book if they are fairly mature readers.
August 7, 2017
What if you found out you were part dinosaur? Not only that, you start to look like a dinosaur too with your long tail and spikes?
How will your classmates react? What would happen if they started teasing you?
That's what happens to Sawyer the summer before 5th grade. When his classmates tease and harass him at his zero-tolerance school, things get odd. Not only are his classmates suspended, but they are disappearing. With the help of long-time friend Elliot and new kid Sylvie can Sawyer find out what's really happening?
The first in a series, this is a fun, imaginative far-fetched science fiction story.
How will your classmates react? What would happen if they started teasing you?
That's what happens to Sawyer the summer before 5th grade. When his classmates tease and harass him at his zero-tolerance school, things get odd. Not only are his classmates suspended, but they are disappearing. With the help of long-time friend Elliot and new kid Sylvie can Sawyer find out what's really happening?
The first in a series, this is a fun, imaginative far-fetched science fiction story.
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