Cory Putman Oakes

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.… (mere)

This is an easy and fun read. The basic premise of the mother/daughter con artist team coupled with a dash of occult fun, traditional angst, some romance, a bit of mystery, and the desire for book two make this the kind of book you can honestly read just for fun. I would love to see the author make this into a series, I feel that the characters and setting have that sort of staying power. Also don't be surprised if you see a companion cookbook; which would be amazing, the food described at the Witchtown bakery will make you hungry for more.… (mere)