Dinosaur Hunter(I Can Read Book Series, Advanced Reading 4)

Dallas Morning News

"A fast-paced, fascinating slice of American history."

ALA Booklist

"The clearly written story, historical context, western ranch setting, and, of course, the dinosaur connection contribute to the book’s appeal."

ALA Booklist

“The clearly written story, historical context, western ranch setting, and, of course, the dinosaur connection contribute to the book’s appeal.”

Dallas Morning News

“A fast-paced, fascinating slice of American history.”

Children's Literature

Ned lives on a ranch in Wyoming in the late 1800s when there was an increased interest in hunting for dinosaur bones. A friend of his had found some fossil shells, but Ned really wants to find a dinosaur. Unfortunately, there is work to be done and Ned's Pa wants him to check out the fences to make sure there is no break. He meets another boy named George who claims that he is there with his Dad and they are dinosaur hunters. They spot some cattle bones and then those that seem to be part of a really big dinosaur. George warns Ned to watch out for unscrupulous folks who may try to buy the bones for nothing and then resell them. Well, sure enough a stranger appears and makes an offer, but Ned is too clever for that varmint and he ends up selling his discovery to the museum folks and even gets his name on a plaque as the one who found the triceratops. There is an endnote that explains that this story is based on real people and their discoveries. It is an early chapter filled with good information and drawings of kids and adults in the "Old West." It is a book that kids will enjoy, and especially those still fascinated by dinosaurs. Part of the "An I Can Read Book" series for grades three and four. 2003, HarperCollins, Ages 8 to 9.
— Marilyn Courtot

School Library Journal

Gr 2-3-When Ned finds dinosaur bones on his father's Wyoming ranch in the 1880s, a fossil hunter tries to trick him into giving them up. However, the astute boy is able to outwit the swindler and eventually sells his treasure to a collector who promises to put the bones in a museum for all to enjoy. An author's note at the end tells of two paleontologists of the period. Illustrations in dull browns and blues are lightened by the red of Ned's shirt. Plenty of white space and the division of the story into six short chapters increase the book's accessibility, but the less than compelling plot makes it merely an adequate selection for transitional readers.-Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Wyoming in the 1880s is the setting for this transitional early chapter book, based partially on historic characters who searched the West for dinosaur fossils. The main characters are Ned, who works on his father’s ranch and dreams of finding real dinosaur bones, and George, the son of a fossil hunter who works for a paleontologist. Ned succeeds in finding a triceratops skeleton, and he keeps his cool when an unscrupulous rival fossil hunter tries to swindle him out of his fossils for a single silver dollar. The plotline is simple, and the story is heavy on dialogue, but the combination of dinosaur fossils, horseback riding, and ranch life is unusual and will interest boys especially. Bolognese adds to the effort with attractive watercolors with heavy ink outlines. He handles both the horses and people with flair, especially in illustrations of the two boys with their respective fathers, skillfully showing the family resemblance. (author’s note) (Easy reader. 6-8)