Dactyl Hill Squad Series, Book 1

Starred review from July 16, 2018
In this delightful historical fantasy set in a Civil War–era New York City in which dinosaurs never went extinct, a diverse band of orphans fight to save their friends from slavers and corrupt authorities. When the Colored Orphan Asylum is burned down during the Draft Riots of 1863, Cuban-born Magdalys Roja and her friends must escape the clutches of Magistrate Richard Riker. They soon find refuge in the Dactyl Hill community of Brooklyn, where they join a growing resistance against racism and oppression. Magdalys has a secret talent: she can communicate with dinosaurs, giving her team the edge they need to rescue their fellow orphans from Riker’s plan to sell them into slavery. In this series opener, Older (Shadowshaper) weaves historical fact with dinosaur-inspired fancy to create a society in which people fly on the backs of pterodactyls, conduct naval warfare with mosasaurs, and use tyrannosaurs as destructive weapons. Rooted in real events and attitudes, and appended with facts about the time, this fast-paced adventure makes for a memorable tale in which numerous characters of color take the lead. Ages 8–12. Agent: Eddie Schneider, JABberwocky Literary Agency.

Channie Waites's narration gives emotional heft to this historical fantasy for middle schoolers. Magdalys Roca is a Cuban orphan in Civil War-era New York City who discovers she can speak to the dinosaurs that are used for work in her world. When the Colored Orphanage Asylum burns down, she and her friends find themselves running for their lives. Nonstop action leaves little room to develop characters or ponder Magdalys's astonishing ability, but it's hard to care when you're on an abolitionist rescue mission on the back of a mosasaur. Waites's character voices excel with the modern-edged dialogue, keeping the story light despite its themes of slavery, racism, and warfare. The listener's heart can't help but soar when Waites evokes the wonder of triumphant kids and pitch-perfect dinosaur calls. S.T.C. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine