Dinosaur Boy Saves Mars

Dinosaur Boy #2

by Cory Putman Oakes

The second installment in the laugh-out-loud, quirky new middle grade series from Cory Putman Oakes.

Part-Stegosaurus Sawyer and his two best friends are on a rescue mission to Mars when they encounter bullying of galactic Mars is trying to kick Pluto out of the solar system. Can the crew brave an interplanetary soccer match, a Plutonian rights organization called BURPS, and a batch of unusually potent tacos to save the galaxy?

When you're part Stegosaurus life can be a little crazy. (Yes, sleeping with plates is weird. No, dino-human hybrids do not have second brains in their butts.) But Sawyer's life is normal(ish)—until he's yanked aboard a UFO and sent on a mission to Mars.

Sawyer, Elliot and Sylvie travel to Mars to find her missing father, but they find even bigger trouble. Mars is trying to kick Pluto out of the solar system. And the fate of both planets will be decided by the upcoming Pluto VS Mars soccer match. Of course.

It's an intergalactic mess, and only Sawyer can save Mars, defend Pluto and protect the galaxy…

Dinosaur Boy Saves Mars is the perfect…

dinosaur book for middle school boyssolar system book for kids 9-12 to learn about our universe in a new and exciting way!preteen gift for boysfunny book for kids 9-12 and reluctant readers"You thought your day at school was rough. Try being half dinosaur. Dinosaur Boy is a hilarious adventure and as sharp as a stegosaurus's tail, with twists and turns on every page...fantastic."—Nathan Bransford, author of Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow

"Funny, fast-paced, and filled with surprising twists, Dinosaur Boy is a charming story about friendship, bullies, dinosaurs,and learning to live with being very, very different. The ending will have boys and girls roaring for more of Sawyer's adventures, and possibly wishing for their very own dinosaur genes!"—Nikki Loftin, author of The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy and Nightingale's Nest

Genres: Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Fiction, Sports, Aliens, Childrens, Fantasy

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2016

About the author

Cory 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.

Reviews

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Dinosaur Boy Saves Mars' by Cory Putman Oakes is a fun middle grade reader with all kinds of crazy plot going on. I didn't read the first book in the series, but I had no problem catching up and following along.

Sawyer is a normal kid with a dinosaur tale who goes to school. When he and his friends Elliot and Sylvie are yanked aboard a UFO driven by Sawyer's grandfather, things take a turn for the weird. A strange subplot about delivering polar bears never seems to go anywhere, but before long, they are heading to Mars for soccer and interplanetary tensions. It seems to big game is between Mars and Pluto, and there is a big political movement to get Pluto removed as a planet. Sawyer and company find themselves in the midst of things and everyone has a role to play.

There are lots of fun Easter eggs in here referencing astronomy and those were fun to run across. The author clues readers in at the end of the book. Sawyer is a likable enough character, but his friends can seem a bit flat at times. There were some decent twists and turns, and friendships and fun.

I received a copy of this ebook from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

We received this book to give an honest review.

K and I have enjoyed reading about Dinosaur boy. We started reading a chapter a night as the chapters were pretty long and so we wouldn't be able to read it all in one night.
Sawyer's grandfather makes a grand entrance to his school and enlisted not only his help but the help of Sylvia and Elliot to find Sylvia's father. He has gone missing.
While trying to find him they realize that there is more going on in space as there is a big soccer game coming up. With this game there is also talk of banning the pultonians from the Intergalactic Soccer Federation which is causing quite a stir.
We get a lot of adventure with Sawyer and his friends as they find out what really happened to Sylvia's dad and they try to save the day before both the plutonians and martians collide. We also get to learn a bit more about Sylvia in this one and how everyone on Mars really knows her which was really cool.
Not only are they dealing with all this but Sawyer has to find his passion for a paper he has to write at school. This led to a discussion with K on what his passion was. I really liked how the author included how people feel when they are left out of things and seem to be different than those around them.

Will this trio save the day before things happen that can not be reversed or will the ones trying to bring everything down win?

K liked the book because of the soccer and thought it was neat that the martians and plutonians got to play soccer in space. He also wondered if there would ever truly be a cure to changing Sawyer back to a boy.
He did wish there were pictures in this book to help him know what everyone looked like. I told him well this is a chapter book and you are meant to use your imagination.
When asked what was his favorite he responded with he didn't have just a favorite he liked it all. Though the soccer game was the best.
Can't wait to see what other things will be going on with this trio in the future.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book that's 100% FUN to read, one that kids will race through, and one that makes you giggle and turn pages long past when you're supposed to turn off the lights... start with this one. Or the first on in the series, which I also love. But this one was even better. BUY THIS BOOK! Not convinced? Read my son's "review" here: http://nikkiloftin.com/2016/02/dinosa...

[Vera Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy here at Goodreads. It's a nice hardback book, with a very inviting cover, so should grab a child's attention to start with. Lots of fast, fun action,so will keep them wanting to read.
Just imagine a trip to Mars with your friends for an adventure. Used for storytime for children, and then one ask to take home to share with his family.
Would recommend to others.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Here it is.
This was a very cute kids book. My grandchildren enjoyed it so much that read it to them and then the 9 year had to read again to his brother
I highly recommend it.

[Martina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my son who is 4yo. It was fun, quirky, a little out there but definitely a blast. We enjoyed the characters and their little adventures. It flows easily even though you have to wrap your mind around a boy who is part stegosaurus!

Great Read

[Jadon Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is funny and weird but still amazing

[Nathar Ufo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this book. I think it was really cool

[Alisa Lockman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I will start by saying that I know I am not the target demographic for these books but for most of the story I enjoyed it. It was an interesting story but ending seemed to br missing something. I felt like the book was really building to something but when we got there everything was kind of brushed over and then done.

Where I really took issue with this book is how the author chose to add a moral component to the book but then didn't follow through. Both of the books in this series are infused with life lessons for its young readers. From bullying, to "don't judge a book by its cover", to divorce is tough, the author took on topics that are important. But because she chose to add this aspect to her books I felt she had an added responsibility to her audience. So I was very disappointed when she chose to have one of her characters make an impulsive, emotionally charged, irreversible decision without collecting all the information, without thinking about repercussions, and without consulting the family and friends that love that character. And there were no real consequences ( it was like, well that happened, no big deal). As a parent I want more for my kid and to me this book fell short because the author doesn't seem to feel the same.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rare sequel that surpasses the original. DBSM has a fast pace which made reading aloud more enjoyable for me. The action begins immediately and doesn't let up. I appreciate the nuanced topics that the author puts on the table for readers to consider and explore in and out of the story itself. From complicated relationships (within family and friendships to large scale issues akin to xenophobic behaviors, isolationism and elitism) to the implications of climate change, the writing smartly addresses real concerns that kids have today while still palatable for young ones as a bedtime story. I found these elements a great balance to the more fantastical elements of the series, and credit the author for bringing so many elements together for a coherent and exciting tale. Extra points earned for working in several tips of the hat to various pioneering scientists and astronomers!

[Hiroko Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dinosaur Boy Saves Mars is a sequel to Dinosaur Boy. It’s about a boy named Sawyer and his friends, Sylvie and Elliot. Sylvie hadn’t heard from her dad who is a Martian (her mom is human) in a while but Sawyer's grandfather (used to be part stegosaurus) has evidence he might be kidnapped and picks up Sawyer, Sylvie, and Elliot. He makes a stop at Saturn, where they meet a Plutonian who’s going to see a soccer game IN Mars. The Kuiper Kickers vs the Red Razors. Mars and Pluto are huge enemies after a soccer game and Sawyer and his friends will try to fix that too. How can they save Sylvie's dad and save Pluto and Mars at the same time? I loved Dinosaur Boy Saves Mars because it's very creative and I reccommend it to sci-fi fans.

[David Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice follow up

This book continued the adventure a semester later (!) and involved all three main characters. It was nice that this story centered on a planet that we are actively looking at to live on in the future. Time will tell ...

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it was a little bit like the last book, but a good one. There was not a very closing ending though so I'm not sure Cory (The Author) is planning to write a third book. Otherwise the story was fun and exciting.

[Abigail Packard · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's definitely an odd little book. It started out a bit slow but definitely picked up for us as we kept reading. It's funny and full of fast-moving action and plot turns. It was perfect for the 3rd grade boy I was reading it with.

[Raymond Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really good and really funny. Great story to read. After you finish, it makes the reader think that it was a book that was fast and easy to read. It will not be boring.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing!!!!times 10000000000000+

[Jie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun middle grade read. Book 2 continues the adventures. Readers see more about the characters and learn why they have responded as they have. This time the team plus a few save Mars and Pluto.

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn’t nearly as enjoyable as the first. Thought there was too much chaotic dialogue and the plot didn’t feel as sincere or developed as the first book

[Evan Macrone (Will Work For Books) · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first half is almost exactly like the first, but a little more lost feeling, like the book doesn't really know what to do yrt.

And then the book crashes and burns. Horribly. The first had some commentary to the craziness, and characters. This book's second half is a crammed, rushed, cliched mess of out of no where morals, character arcs that go all over the place and come out of absolutely nowhere, characters that come out of absolutely nowhere, and they try to justify it with the book being crazy, but really it's not being zany-it's just a confused, broken mess overstuffed with the most forced, rose-colored, cliched lines and morals that are jammed into dialogue at the last second.

This isn't a stylistic choice, the author has no idea what is happening and is trying to wrap up so many things, rushing and shoving in motivations and backstories and out of nowhere commentary that is so so so so so so so damn forced.

All the innocence the first book had is completely devoid. Nothing in the second half is comprehendible or fun to read for that matter. Like, if I was having a fun time in the craziness MAYBE I could forgive it a little but it just is a headache to read through and then kids will hate it because they spend a paragraph each of the last chapters centered around a weird, shoved in moral or something that the author tries so desperately to connect to the confusion that was the previous chapters and it's just awful.

There's no more commentary or anything to get out of this, no more innocence left after the first half, it's was like watching a train skid off the rails into a icy lake of doom in slow motion, and then exploding the passengers into the air.
And I'm giving this one a 2/10 and a 1/5.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sawyer and his friends, Elliot and Sylvie, are caught up in another adventure when Sawyer's grandfather takes them to Mars to search for Sylvie's missing father. Sylvie has seen a partial message from her father that included phrases such as "...held against my will..." and "Tell Sylvie not to..." Although she knows that her father is probably saying for her not to worry, she is very concerned and leaps at the chance to find him. Along the way they drop off some polar bears at an unexpected location, pick up a stranded traveler from Pluto, and finally get to see Sylvie's old apartment on Mars. But they also find out that there is a major soccer match between the Mars team and the Pluto team, which will be followed by a vote on whether or not to ban the Plutonians from the Intergalactic Soccer Federation. Since Pluto was demoted to the status of dwarf planet, its inhabitants are already angry with the Martians and the results of the soccer game and the vote could lead to riots, or worse.

You would think that being part stegosaurus and having plates down his back and a tail with spikes would be enough of a challenge, but Sawyer winds up playing a very important part in the crisis between the feuding planets. (I can't say more without spoiling everything.) Along the way are some surprising revelations about Sylvie's mom and dad, Sawyer's grandfather, and even Elliot. Sawyer does his best to work out a happy ending for his friends and his new acquaintances, even continuing with that trend when the kids return to Earth.

Besides being a funny story and packing in lots of action and suspense, other themes are also tackled. Sawyer is still dealing with his new status as a human/dinosaur hybrid and feels uncomfortable with all the attention he receives on Mars. Sylvie needs to resolve her feelings about her parents and their divorce. Elliot is trying to find his own identity besides just being the tall kid at school. There are also plenty of examples of how people feel about and respond to being excluded, illustrated by the extreme measures some of the Plutonians are willing to go to.

Despite the far-fetched elements of dinosaur hybrids or life on Mars (and other planets in our solar system), the Dinosaur Boy books show a lot about tweens trying to deal with family, homework, and friendship. A great addition to the chapter books in a school or classroom library, I highly recommend the series.

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

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Dinosaur Book series and after reading this one, I would recommend that middle graders start with the first one, then this one. These books will make you laugh, wish you were on the adventure and try to read long after your bedtime to finish and see what is going to happen.

Sawyer (Dinosaur Boy) and his friends, Elliot and Sylvie (half martian), are caught up in another adventure when Sawyer's grandfather takes them to Mars to search for Sylvie's missing father. Sylvie has seen a partial message from her father and is very worried about him.She leaps at the chance to go to Mars with her friends to find him. Along the way they drop off some polar bears at a zoo where they are protecting endangered animals, pick up a stranded traveller from Pluto, and finally get to see Sylvie's old apartment on Mars. There is trouble brewing on Mars. With the upcoming soccer match between Mars and Pluto, there are tensions, especially when there will be a vote on whether or not to ban the Plutonians from the Intergalactic Soccer Federation. Since Pluto was demoted to the status of dwarf planet, its inhabitants are already angry with the Martians and the results of the soccer game and the vote could lead to riots, or worse. Will Sawyer and his friends be able to help the situation? Will Sylvie play for the Mars team? Will they find Sylvie's father? A lot of questions and a lot of adventures. A fun ride for children from 7 and up. It would also make a great read aloud for younger children.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Maranda Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I thought it would be a fairly short chapter book but it is actually more of a middle grade book. I did find it funny and fast paced. I liked all the wacky silly stuff in it (a kid who is half dinosaur, a girl who is half alien, a Pluto vs Mars soccer match, talking polar bears who live in a zoo on Saturn, etc.) I also liked how the whole story was kind of tied into the main character's effort to figure out what his real passion is. I think kids would likely love this book because of the humor and sillyness and parents will like the underlying messages about helping others.

[Tami Hassebroek]

I got this book on the Goodreads free book giveaway! awesome kids book... fun, intriguing, and entertaining.... a can't put down till you're done read! looking forward to reading more from this author!

[T.J. Burns]

I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5/5*