Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Middle-Grade Review: Tommysaurus Rex

I don’t read many graphic novels, but one of the few I enjoyed last year was Doug TenNapel’s Cardboard, and now he’s written another one for middle-graders with just as much fun and creativity, Tommysaurus Rex.

Ely lives a happy suburban life with his parents and his dog, Tommy, until disaster strikes. To help cheer Ely up, his parents let him go visit his grandfather’s farm for the summer. Ely works hard and enjoys his grandfather’s company but is still sad (and dealing with bullies), until he discovers a real live Tyrannosaurus Rex living in a cave! Life with a dinosaur has its share of challenges but is lots of fun for Ely and the townspeople. And it’s even better when Ely realizes there is something special about this dinosaur.

Like Cardboard, this new graphic novel focuses on a unique premise that will be a big hit with young boys – who wouldn’t want a real dinosaur for a pet? It’s every boy’s dream!  The story is engrossing, and the pictures are lots of fun. This graphic novel will be especially appealing to reluctant readers, ages 7 and up.

137 pages, Graphix (Scholastic)

Check out some of TenNapel's other work at his website and blog

 

1 comment:

Andrea said...

I will have to get this for my son. It sounds like something he would like. And good for an emerging reader.