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Rex
When eleven-year-old TJ finds a weird looking egg in the Florida Everglades after a tropical storm rips through, naturally he takes it home for identification. It could be the egg of a mutant duck or something, which would be awesome. Problem is, the egg doesn't look like it came from a mallard, even a mutated one--it's too big and heavy and...strange. So he hides it away in his closet and continues on with his life as usual, doing his best to ignore the creepy men constantly banging at his front door and the significant rise in military helicopter sightings in his typically quiet neighbourhood. Then one day he comes home from school and it's as though a cyclone has gone through his bedroom. Suddenly, TJ knows he's dealing with something a little more interesting--and a little more deadly--than a duck.
320 pages, ebook
Published October 5, 2016
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Cody B. Stewart
3 books3 followersCody B. Stewart was born in the Adirondacks, in Upstate New York. His love of stories began in those mountains as he vanquished trolls, fought in the American Revolution and discovered his latent mutant powers. Stories have continued to consume his life, but he now plucks them out of his head and puts them down on paper in the form of novels and comic books.
He left the Adirondacks to grow into a man, did so, and has since returned with a wonderfully supportive wife and two sons.
He left the Adirondacks to grow into a man, did so, and has since returned with a wonderfully supportive wife and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 6, 2016
Rex by Cody B. Stewart, Adam Rocke and Mark Rogers is the kind of escapade any self-respecting young adventurer, boy or girl, would want to experience. When TJ Beaumont, aged eleven, finds a very large, very weird looking egg while out on a Cub Scout expedition in the Florida Everglades, he just knows he has to sneak it home. This might be his only opportunity to finally have a pet, since his long suffering single parent mom (Ellen) has said no to a dog. But hey, whatever comes out of that egg will do. A pet’s a pet, isn’t it? TJ loves his mom, who works two jobs to put food on the table and pay the bills. Ellen has sacrificed her dream of visiting Africa to be a good parent. And TJ’s a good kid. He’ll think about telling his mom later. How hard can it be to hide and feed whatever comes out of that egg? But when the men in black pitch up at their door and the military helicopters start circling overhead, on the hunt for something possibly dangerous, TJ starts to get worried. And when whatever is in the egg hatches out and TJ finds his room just about demolished, he knows it isn’t going to be that easy to hide and feed Rex (so named for very obvious reasons) for very much longer. The problem is the bad guys want Rex for very horrible and sinister purposes, and TJ isn’t going to go down without a fight. Neither is Rex.
This book is screamingly funny and kids will just love it. When I saw that little green tail disappearing off the edge of the cover, I just knew I had to read this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love anything to do with dinosaurs so I was rooting for Rex from page one. TJ is a lovely character and kids will really relate to him, as well to his spunky friend (a girl) called Sam. Together they must devise a plan to get Rex to safety, but how and where? Where can you hide a creature that, no doubt emulating his ancestors, will grow very much bigger and have a mouthful of very large, sharp teeth? But Rex steals the show from the moment he hatches. He is just the most adorable character of them all. My best scene was when TJ has to get Rex out of the house and into the safety of the swamp without his mom finding out. TJ disguises Rex as a science experiment, but the hurried, although stringent, ‘stay’ training isn’t enough and the classroom descends into screaming chaos.
The action is sometimes frenzied, and at times I did wish the pace would slow down, but for kids this is probably normal speed for an adventure. I was very worried (I promise I was!) about where on earth Rex would finally find a home. The answer comes after an incredible scene of drama, loads of firepower, feats of derring-do, and the ultimate test of loyalty as Rex shows his love for TJ. I commend the authors because it was the perfect answer for a genetically modified and really rather sweet dinosaur. Action and adventure are there in abundance, but also the messages of loyalty, love, friendship and family, being responsible, doing the right thing, and knowing that unbreakable bonds, once forged, will remain forever.
This book is screamingly funny and kids will just love it. When I saw that little green tail disappearing off the edge of the cover, I just knew I had to read this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love anything to do with dinosaurs so I was rooting for Rex from page one. TJ is a lovely character and kids will really relate to him, as well to his spunky friend (a girl) called Sam. Together they must devise a plan to get Rex to safety, but how and where? Where can you hide a creature that, no doubt emulating his ancestors, will grow very much bigger and have a mouthful of very large, sharp teeth? But Rex steals the show from the moment he hatches. He is just the most adorable character of them all. My best scene was when TJ has to get Rex out of the house and into the safety of the swamp without his mom finding out. TJ disguises Rex as a science experiment, but the hurried, although stringent, ‘stay’ training isn’t enough and the classroom descends into screaming chaos.
The action is sometimes frenzied, and at times I did wish the pace would slow down, but for kids this is probably normal speed for an adventure. I was very worried (I promise I was!) about where on earth Rex would finally find a home. The answer comes after an incredible scene of drama, loads of firepower, feats of derring-do, and the ultimate test of loyalty as Rex shows his love for TJ. I commend the authors because it was the perfect answer for a genetically modified and really rather sweet dinosaur. Action and adventure are there in abundance, but also the messages of loyalty, love, friendship and family, being responsible, doing the right thing, and knowing that unbreakable bonds, once forged, will remain forever.
July 12, 2019
Cute book! Would be perfect to read to a young child. It’s full of adventure, dinosaurs and sassy humor that adults will find funny but the young ones probably won’t understand. The authors did a great job creating a new kind of dinosaur story!
September 4, 2018
The end of a tropical storm in Greenmarsh, Florida marks the beginning of a heightened military presence in and around the swampland near the small town. Resident TJ Beaumont is just as curious about this presence as his fellow citizens, but is more curious about an egg tucked under his desk that he found in the swamp.
A fast-paced adventure about companionship and wildness, Rex doesn’t just deliver great sci-fi references, it gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we treasure in our lives. The action never stops, the drama never ends, and the dinosaur never stops eating. Ever.
A fast-paced adventure about companionship and wildness, Rex doesn’t just deliver great sci-fi references, it gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we treasure in our lives. The action never stops, the drama never ends, and the dinosaur never stops eating. Ever.
October 11, 2016
I thought this was a neat book. It was written well and it was easy to grasp what was going on. Overall just a fun story. There were a few things that I thought were weird, though. First, TJ and Sam are only ten years old and they say things that I don't really think kids would say. The one part I am thinking of is a pun about the egg being on your face. Second, I won't mention really what happened because I don't want to give anything away, but Agent Osborne's part is a bit extreme towards the end of the book. At least that's my opinion. For the most part, I really enjoyed reading this book, there was definitely some really funny parts that made me laugh out loud, and I liked all the characters, except for Agent Osborne, but that's supposed to happen. If you have a child who likes to read, this book is worth reading. We were given a copy in exchange for an honest review. We reviewed it at http://www.lordofthebooks.com/middle-...
October 8, 2016
You can find this review and others on my blog Novelties.
Oh, TJ, you are so wrong!
With a sprinkle of Jurassic Park and a dash of E.T., Rex throws you into a coming-of-age journey where an adrenaline-filled boy stumbles upon a T. Rex egg and uncovers a sinister government cover-up.
I don't read many middle-grade books, but when I had the opportunity to get my (digital) hands on this one, I wasn't expecting Rex to get me hooked so quickly! The little girl in me who dreamed of owning and training a raptor wanted to see where this story goes (Star Lord, eat your heart out).
Rex reminds me of Ray Bradbury's The Halloween Tree and the movies E.T., The Goonies, and Jurassic Park. It has a strong 90s feels to it, even though the book's setting is in the present time. I felt as if I've stepped back into my scuffed sneakers, dropped my Nano Kitty into my pocket, and, this time, looked for my very own T. Rex. I've read only five books that transported me back to my crazy childhood, so I'm happy to take that trip again.
TJ––a typical eleven year old who wants a dog and hopes for the trio of goons to stop bullying him––is an only child to a single mother, who works several jobs just to keep the roof over their heads. He and his best friend, Sam, are practically joined at the hip. While they're out on a Cub Scout scavenger hunt, he discovers an egg. But when the army rolls in to his small town, Greenmarsh, he knows what he really finds is a lot more than an egg. The army gets closer to him and the dinosaur affectionately named Rex, and TJ realizes he has to sneak Rex out of the town to protect him. How? Through a science fair, of course.
The humour in Rex will hook you from the beginning. Rex appeals to all readers. The 30-year-old nerd will fall in love with TJ, Sam, and Rex, just as much as the 12 year old will. It also offers you an authentic taste of what a true family is. But in this case, this family is an eclectic bunch: a Doctor Who-fanatic mom, a boy who loves to tinker, a protective friend, and a loyal, cold-blooded, and adorable dinosaur, a substitute for a dog.
TJ's mom, Ellen, and TJ have a genuine bond that many readers can relate to. They banter. They argue. And they protect one another when the other doesn't realize. He also brings out the kid in her. She gives everything for her little man and is willing to give more to see that smile on his face. Their relationship shines for me. It reminds me of mine with my Mom.
Rex is an enchanting story that transports you back to your childhood and stomps its way into your heart. I highly recommend this book to any reader! I can't wait to step back into Greenmarsh again.
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"Nothing really exciting ever happened in Greenmarsh."
Oh, TJ, you are so wrong!
With a sprinkle of Jurassic Park and a dash of E.T., Rex throws you into a coming-of-age journey where an adrenaline-filled boy stumbles upon a T. Rex egg and uncovers a sinister government cover-up.
I don't read many middle-grade books, but when I had the opportunity to get my (digital) hands on this one, I wasn't expecting Rex to get me hooked so quickly! The little girl in me who dreamed of owning and training a raptor wanted to see where this story goes (Star Lord, eat your heart out).
Rex reminds me of Ray Bradbury's The Halloween Tree and the movies E.T., The Goonies, and Jurassic Park. It has a strong 90s feels to it, even though the book's setting is in the present time. I felt as if I've stepped back into my scuffed sneakers, dropped my Nano Kitty into my pocket, and, this time, looked for my very own T. Rex. I've read only five books that transported me back to my crazy childhood, so I'm happy to take that trip again.
"Oh man, I'm probably breaking so many dinosaur etiquette rules right now...but I really wish I could've gone out in some way that didn't involve being digested."
TJ––a typical eleven year old who wants a dog and hopes for the trio of goons to stop bullying him––is an only child to a single mother, who works several jobs just to keep the roof over their heads. He and his best friend, Sam, are practically joined at the hip. While they're out on a Cub Scout scavenger hunt, he discovers an egg. But when the army rolls in to his small town, Greenmarsh, he knows what he really finds is a lot more than an egg. The army gets closer to him and the dinosaur affectionately named Rex, and TJ realizes he has to sneak Rex out of the town to protect him. How? Through a science fair, of course.
"Honey, what's morning rule number three?"
"Never talk about swamp people before Mom's had her coffee."
The humour in Rex will hook you from the beginning. Rex appeals to all readers. The 30-year-old nerd will fall in love with TJ, Sam, and Rex, just as much as the 12 year old will. It also offers you an authentic taste of what a true family is. But in this case, this family is an eclectic bunch: a Doctor Who-fanatic mom, a boy who loves to tinker, a protective friend, and a loyal, cold-blooded, and adorable dinosaur, a substitute for a dog.
TJ's mom, Ellen, and TJ have a genuine bond that many readers can relate to. They banter. They argue. And they protect one another when the other doesn't realize. He also brings out the kid in her. She gives everything for her little man and is willing to give more to see that smile on his face. Their relationship shines for me. It reminds me of mine with my Mom.
Rex is an enchanting story that transports you back to your childhood and stomps its way into your heart. I highly recommend this book to any reader! I can't wait to step back into Greenmarsh again.
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December 7, 2016
I don't usually read Middle Grade. Flipping through my twelve-year-old son's library books is as far as I go into the MG world. But I'll admit, I had a fun time reading REX.
That the book began as a screenplay is no surprise to me. It reads like a movie. In fact, a few chapters in I described it to a friend as "similar to E.T. in all the best ways." There's a connection between TJ and Rex that's adorable, and TJ and Sam's friendship is one of the cutest I've read (Sam's a girl). I love how they deal with their discovery and the schemes they devise to keep and care for Rex.
REX has a nostalgic, mature vibe. For example, TJ is ten going on eleven, but his voice, thoughts, and dialogue seemed older (I have eleven and twelve-year-old boys, myself). References to Kiss, Gene Simmons, the band Kansas, and adult POVs conveying adult problems are things my kids wouldn't understand, and seem to indicate that the book was written to appeal to all age groups.
That being said, I have no doubt that my son would enjoy reading this book. I mean, there's a DINOSAUR in it! A dinosaur in today's society? What's not to enjoy? I do believe it would make an excellent movie, also.
Therefore, I give REX five entertaining, adventurous stars and highly recommend it for adults and kids alike.
That the book began as a screenplay is no surprise to me. It reads like a movie. In fact, a few chapters in I described it to a friend as "similar to E.T. in all the best ways." There's a connection between TJ and Rex that's adorable, and TJ and Sam's friendship is one of the cutest I've read (Sam's a girl). I love how they deal with their discovery and the schemes they devise to keep and care for Rex.
REX has a nostalgic, mature vibe. For example, TJ is ten going on eleven, but his voice, thoughts, and dialogue seemed older (I have eleven and twelve-year-old boys, myself). References to Kiss, Gene Simmons, the band Kansas, and adult POVs conveying adult problems are things my kids wouldn't understand, and seem to indicate that the book was written to appeal to all age groups.
That being said, I have no doubt that my son would enjoy reading this book. I mean, there's a DINOSAUR in it! A dinosaur in today's society? What's not to enjoy? I do believe it would make an excellent movie, also.
Therefore, I give REX five entertaining, adventurous stars and highly recommend it for adults and kids alike.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews