Dino-Mike and the T. Rex Attack

Dino-Mike #1

by Franco

Dino-Mike is on the trail of a T. rex in this chapter book adventure! The son of a famous paleontologist, young Michael Evans travels the world with his dino-huntin' dad. As dad digs dino bones, Mike does some exploring on his own and winds up finding a live T. rex! After tracking what couldn't possibly be real, Mike meets a mysterious kid that seems to know why and how the real dinosaur got here.

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on nearly every page, Dino-Mike chapter books are perfect for beginning readers. Written and illustrated by the Eisner-Award winning creator of Tiny Titans, Franco!

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Adventure, Friendship, Science Fiction, Dinosaurs, Chapter Books

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2015

About the author

Franco Aureliani, known professionally as Franco, is an American comic book writer/artist, best known for writing the DC Comics series Tiny Titans, for which he won two Eisner Awards in 2009 and 2011. Tiny Titans also won a Harvey award in 2011. He was also nominated for another Harvey in 2013 for another project from DC Comics, Superman Family Adventures. He and longtime writing partner and friend, Art Baltazar, won their third Eisner in 2014 for the Dark Horse Comics children's series Itty Bitty Hellboy. He also teaches art at Carmel High School.

Reviews

[Lisa Welch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fair selection for a student who likes dinosaurs and adventure. Not the best option for a read aloud in my opinion (at least for the purposes I need it for). Lots of loose ends that will leave kids with questions.

[Lesley Burnap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to my friend, Michele K., for the recommendation! This series will be awesome for my 2nd grade readers! And I am now a fan of Dino-Mike!

[Brooke Shackelford]

My 6 year old is suddenly super into dinosaurs, so I’m glad I found this series. 10 chapters took us about a week to read aloud together. This was a time travel book which I don’t think my son understood, but he enjoyed the T-Rex parts a lot.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my four year old son. I think I enjoyed it more than he did - the plot was a little more involved than he needed, but he still enjoyed it and wants us to read the next one. (This was a second attempt. The first time I got about halfway through with both boys, but they got distracted by Magic Treehouse books.)

I'm still giving it 4 stars because I think it's a great little book - probably better suited to an 8 to 10 year old audience (there are still plenty of illustrations, but the chapters are a bit longer than in some of the other introductory chapter books we've read). While the main character is male, the other main character is a strong redheaded girl. Dinosaurs are always a fun theme. And there are even a few nice plot twists.

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite liking dinosaurs and approving of the book also including a female lead (Shannon), Miss 7 wasn't hugely interested in the book.

Miss 7 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Antonia V Domenech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for those little boys that wish they could meet dinosaurs. But really, it's hard to go wrong with a combo of dinosaurs, humor, and adventure. A truly enjoyable, fast paced read that will have preschoolers enthralled.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this! Fairly long for a beginner chapter, but lots of pictures so not as much text as other books. Mike’s dad brings him along on a dinosaur dig, and Mike ends up coming face-to-face with an actual TRex. A fun adventure book. Dino facts at the end.

[Phyllis M. Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a kids book? Pretty good! That and it went REALLY fast!

[susan nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summer book chat?
grade 2 -3-on the easy side

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book for little dino lovers. My five year old enjoyed reading through it with me. He wants to read the next one.

[Arlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids will like it because it is good and it has good pictures.

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun adventure about dinosaurs. If my library has more of this series I will be reading more.

[Shiny Ajit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting for the kids to know about archaeology,Dino and the prehistoric events

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dino-Mike and the T. Rex Attack is the first book in the Dino-Mike series by Franco Aureliani. This is a early chapter book currently scheduled for release on March 1 2015. Michael Evans travels the world with his dino-huntin' dad, a famous paleontologist. As dad searches for and digs up dinosaur bones Mike does some exploring on his own. On one trip he winds up finding a live T. Rex! After tracking what could not possibly be real, Mike meets a mysterious kid that seems to know why and how the real dinosaur got here as well as a plan to get it back where it belongs.


Dino-Mike and the T. Rex Attack is a fun and sometimes silly read that will appeal to newly independent readers. I think my own young readers will love this book, although they will want the awesome dinosaur jacket that Mike gets from his dad in the story. Mike is a smart kid that knows a great deal about dinosaurs, and I would hope so considering his fathers line of work. While exploring the woods during his father's dig he discovers another kids around his age, a T. Rex, and an older boy. The fate of the dinosaur, and anything it might consider a meal, rests in the hands of these kids- and one wants that dino to stay right where it is. this book introduces a great new series for those first getting into chapter books as well as those that are just dino-mad. I think this book definitely has an audience and will be a hit with many in its target audience.

Dino-Mike and the T. Rex Attack has entertaining and accessible language as well as great illustrations. I think it will encourage reading with many new readers, and keep them eager to see what might happen as the series continues. An added incentive to read this book for young graphic novel fans is that the author just happens to be the Eisner-Award winning creator of Tiny Titans.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

We received this book via NetGalley to give an honest review.

So K actually got this father to read up to chapter 8 with him before bedtime. And I got to read the rest of the book and find out the ending. But I then decided I would go back and read up to chapter 8 so I could find out what was going on. This is a pretty cool book. We have Mike who is on a dinosaur dig with his father, how awesome is that for a young kid to be able to dig up dinosaurs. Well while they are on this dig, Mike's father gives him this awesome dinosaur jacket that lights up, makes sounds and even looks like the skin of a dinosaur. K decided he wanted me to learn how to make him one.
While on this dig site, Mike ends up actually finding a real life dinosaur and that is when the whole fun begins. Mike ends up meeting someone who has come to put the T-Rex back in its time period. Shannon and Mike set up a trap, drive a hot dog truck only to have a villain not a really horrible villain but one none the less. Jurassic Jeff who wants to let the T-Rex run free in our world.

So it is up to Shannon and Mike to send the T-Rex back and it seems like it is more work than it is fun to actually meet a dinosaur. Will the succeed? Or will Jurassic Jeff end up sabotaging the hard work that Shannon and Mike do to send the T-Rex back to his own time?

There are illustrations within the book that I thought was great to have so it captures the attention of the young readers. And the pictures are drawn fantastical or so I thought. The writing was well written, and I could see maybe 2nd graders reading this book by themselves.
Overall a great short chapter book that I think children from age 6 on up would really enjoy.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Evans is one of the heroes in this story. He’s the son of a famous palaeontologist who travels the world in search of dinosaur fossils. He’s off on an expedition with him in this story but whilst his dad looks for bones, Mike ends up on an adventure of his own, is chased by a T.Rex, meeting two mysterious children who are definitely not working together and earns himself the new nickname of Dino-Mike!

The book uses easy to read vocabulary, making it ideal for the target age range of 6 to 8 years old but is also interesting enough for older children to enjoy it, too. The book is beautifully illustrated throughout, enhancing its appeal to children. It is also great that there are two heroes in the story - one male (Mike) and one female (Shannon), helping make the story appeal to both genders. There’s also a villain as well as a T.Rex, just adding to the adventure! It also contains information about dinosaurs that will add the the story's appeal.

A thoroughly enjoyable, well paced adventure story for children who are beginning to read longer books independently. Teachers, this could be a great book for inspiring children who are starting to read independently but are not really interested in doing so. The chapters are short but well structured and will encourage the children to want to read more.

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mike Evans is living a life other kids can only dream of. His father is a famous paleontologist and he has taken Mike with him on a dinosaur dig. As if that weren't enough, his father also had a cool jacket made for Mike. It has protective scales like a dinosaur's skin, the hood has headlights in the dinosaur eyes, and there are more special effects that Mike hasn't even discovered yet. While his dad and the other scientists are painstakingly brushing dirt off the bones they have uncovered, Mike does a little exploring on his own. He follows a mysterious red-haired girl into the woods and makes an important discovery of his own - a live T.Rex! How will Mike keep the hungry meat-eater from chowing down on the scientists and their big BBQ night?

Full of fast-paced action, nifty gadgets, mysterious strangers (and did I mention a live dinosaur?), this is a fun read for early chapter book readers and dinosaur enthusiasts. There are plenty of illustrations to keep things interesting, a glossary of dino terms in the back, and even some cool T.Rex facts. This is sure to create fans that will be waiting eagerly for Mike's next outing.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike Evans, son of famous paleontologist Stanley Evans, travels the world with his dad looking for dinosaur bones. Mike discovers more than bones when he leaves the dig site for some solo exploration; he encounters another young dinosaur enthusiast (Shannon) and an actual T. Rex! What would an extinct Tyrant Lizard King be doing wondering through the forest, what does Shannon know about the T. Rex and who is the menacing teen lurking in the forest? Mike, with the help of his fancy new jacket, is ready for an adventure. Follow his story and see how he becomes “Dino-Mike.” The first book in a four book series, Dino-Mike and the T. Rex Attack chapter book is a fast-paced adventure book featuring a young male and female protagonist. In-text definitions for unfamiliar dinosaur related vocabulary mix fluidly with text. The Glossary, Dino Facts and About the Author sections provide the reader with supplemental information about dinosaurs and additional works by the author. This book would make a fine addition to a school and/or public library’s easy reader collection. Recommended for grades 2 & 3.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dino-Mike and the T. Rex Attack opens this series with a fantastical adventure. Mike is the son of a paleontologist and gets to travel the world with his dad. While his famous father is digging for bones, Mike wanders off and discovers a real life T. Rex. Together with a mysterious girl from another place and time and the most amazing jacket ever created, Mike helps to save the day. It is hard to go wrong with the combination of dinosaurs, humor, and adventure and Dino-Mike does not disappoint. A thoroughly enjoyable, fast paced read that will have preschoolers and early elementary schoolers on the edge of their seats.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an exciting well written children's book. The pictures were well drawn and creative. I loved all the pictures of the dinosaur, I can only imagine how much a child would like it.

The story was fun and I liked the facts at the end. It would appeal to both boys and girls, which is a hard thing to do fro children. The ending finished up nicely but left room for another adventure.

I would recommend this to children who love dinosaurs. Not sure it'd appeal to those that don't.

4 out of 5 stars

[Jenark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dino-Mike is a fast pace, action book that left my 8 year old wanting to read more. She actually said she wishes more kids could read the book. She loved Mike's special jacket and all it's cool features.
I loved how the story pulled her in and made her want to read more by this author. Just to keep up with the technology age we're in, there were futuristic devices and a well equipped jacket that had just what Mike needed, when he needed it. We'll definitely be reading more by Franco.

*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucky Mike gets to travel around with his paleontologist dad. While his dad works hard, Mike is hard at work too, exploring the surrounding area. Maybe he will make his own ancient discovery. He isn't planning on making any new friends or being chased by a real live T-Rex! How is that even possible? Will his new acquaintance have the answers or will she just open up more mysteries? And what's up with this new sweatshirt his father gave him? Dino-Mike is an action-filled new intermediate series that beginning chapter book readers will get a kick out of.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a good book. I enjoyed how fun and exciting it was. the only downside was that you never hear anything more about the hotdogs. that was their dinner! so horrible, I know. :) can't wait to read another!

[Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great younger readers book. Highly recommended especially if the kid likes dinosaurs.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good set-up for a series. Love the illustrations by Franco.

[Michele Knott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun series that is perfect for the transitional chapter book reader.

[Joanne Zienty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh for me -- waiting to hear how the kiddos liked this one.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Tara]

Very Cute, adventure book with fun illustrations throughout so my 2.5 yo was engaged the entire time.