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renatasnacks's review against another edition
5.0
oh another one I forgot to review earlier! First of all, when I booktalked this in schools kids lost their MINDS about it. It's SUCH a good premise. Civil War + dinosaurs?? Hell yeah hell yeah
PLUS ALSO it does such a smart great job of integrating some pieces of Civil War history that aren't as widely taught, plus also a rad trans character! But also just a lot of fun!
PLUS ALSO it does such a smart great job of integrating some pieces of Civil War history that aren't as widely taught, plus also a rad trans character! But also just a lot of fun!
rjsthumbelina's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
racheldthurlow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A book about a group of coloured orphans in the civil war era trying to rescue their friends from being sold into slavery.
This book moves fast enough to keep young readers’ attention! It has a lot of action in it that and not a lot of drama or downtime.
The dinosaurs are a clever way to get more kids interested in historical fiction but they sometimes overshadowed the actual history of the book.
This book moves fast enough to keep young readers’ attention! It has a lot of action in it that and not a lot of drama or downtime.
The dinosaurs are a clever way to get more kids interested in historical fiction but they sometimes overshadowed the actual history of the book.
emdoux's review against another edition
3.0
5 stars for it's intended audience.
3 stars for me, an adult reader.
3 stars for me, an adult reader.
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Racism, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Police brutality, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Grief and Child abuse
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
Weird, but highly engaging adventure in an alternative universe Civil War with Dinosaurs. It's an amazing meld of fast paced plot, great characters (who doesn't love an entire orphanage of heroes?) and some hard hitting history in between the fantasy elements. Be aware that there is a lynching, that the language is Colored Orphans Asylum, and that the fight is against the very real threat of freed persons being kidnapped and sold into slavery. There's a lot to talk about in this book, regardless of the thin veneer of wild adventure.
I particularly enjoyed that the orphans share many backgrounds -- Magdalys is Cuban, Amaya, half Apache and half white General's daughter, there is a trans pirate and a rainbow of fiercely appealing freedom fighters. I also delighted in the surreal collection of language -- from the Crunk's Shakespearean quotations, to the 1860's New York slang, to the modern phrasing that stitches through. Great read, great ride.
The only thing that bothered me was the chimney sweeping gig -- guerrilla sweeps that go chimney to chimney randomly sweeping would never be paid later. If you don't warn someone that you're about to sweep their chimney, you flood their entire home with soot.
Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss.
I particularly enjoyed that the orphans share many backgrounds -- Magdalys is Cuban, Amaya, half Apache and half white General's daughter, there is a trans pirate and a rainbow of fiercely appealing freedom fighters. I also delighted in the surreal collection of language -- from the Crunk's Shakespearean quotations, to the 1860's New York slang, to the modern phrasing that stitches through. Great read, great ride.
The only thing that bothered me was the chimney sweeping gig -- guerrilla sweeps that go chimney to chimney randomly sweeping would never be paid later. If you don't warn someone that you're about to sweep their chimney, you flood their entire home with soot.
Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss.
librarianboston's review against another edition
2.0
I love the characters and the story of the orphans and am all about the strong POC characters and representation in the story. I don’t know why but I just couldn’t get into the dinosaur part of the world building. I felt like the stories of the children at the asylum and the horrible practice of selling black New Yorkers could have been done without this twist...but if it get middle graders reading, by all means!
kevinhendricks's review against another edition
4.0
Dinosaurs are not only alive during the Civil War era, they've been domesticated and serve as beasts of burden. And Magdalys can talk to them. This fast-paced adventure follows a group of children from the Colored Orphan Asylum who are at risk from a dastardly group of slavers eager to kidnap and ship the children south. It's a fun and quick read, and my son saw the cover and had to read it. He read the first two chapters and declared it awesome.
hrmason's review against another edition
3.0
Solidly middle grades. Lots of action. Historical fantasy that offers a new perspective on the Civil War we. However, some aspects of the story are incongruent.
biblioholicbeth's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, I really liked this book. It's got a great blend of good characters, action and adventure, and history (alternative though it may be with the dinosaurs). I honestly wasn't sure about this whole plan, simply because...well...dinosaurs. During the Civil War. I mean...really?! But I ended up very much enjoying the story *and* the dinos, and I think it would be a great supplement to lessons about the Civil War, as long as it is made clear (possibly quite often) that this *is* a work of fiction - including the timing of the dinosaurs.
I do also like that the author took the time to write some explanations in the back about who/what/when are figments of his imagination, or based on reality, or an actual piece of history. Definitely would be great for the lesson supplement as well, as there are resources listed that students could look up.
As I said - I wasn't sure what I was going to think of this, but it turns out I really liked it and I will be looking forward to book two. There was an ending to this one, no cliffhangers - but also definitely saying goodbye to the events in this book and moving on to more. Recommended for sure!
I do also like that the author took the time to write some explanations in the back about who/what/when are figments of his imagination, or based on reality, or an actual piece of history. Definitely would be great for the lesson supplement as well, as there are resources listed that students could look up.
As I said - I wasn't sure what I was going to think of this, but it turns out I really liked it and I will be looking forward to book two. There was an ending to this one, no cliffhangers - but also definitely saying goodbye to the events in this book and moving on to more. Recommended for sure!