Dinosaur Hunter (I Can Read Book 4) [Paperback]

Elaine Marie Alphin (Author), Don Bolognese (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: I Can Read Book 4

Fossil collectors!

In 1880s Wyoming, Ned Chapman dreams of finding a dinosaur skeleton. When he discovers some old bones on his father's ranch, Ned is thrust into the world of bone hunters -- men so competitive that they will do anything to bring back the best fossils!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 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 © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-2. From the I Can Read series, this fictional story takes place in Wyoming in the 1880s. The morning after a storm, Ned is helping his father check the fences on their ranch when he discovers the bones of a triceratops. Outwitting a fossil hunter who tries to cheat him, Ned finds a better place to sell his find. In an appended note, Alphin gives background information about the noted fossil collectors and paleontologists of the period, who collected, prepared, and preserved the dinosaur skeletons that were coming to light in Wyoming and Montana. Bolognese contributes a series of sturdy line drawings, tinted with subtle shades of color that enhance the story rather than distracting the eyes. The clearly written story, historical context, western ranch setting, and, of course, the dinosaur connection also contribute to the book's appeal. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (October 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006444256X
• ISBN-13: 978-0064442565
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #647,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elaine Marie Alphin knew she was going to be a writer before she could even read or write. On early morning walks with her father in San Francisco, she listened to the stories he told, and made up stories to tell him, and she realized then that she wanted to spend her life making up stories. Winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Young Adult Mystery (Counterfeit Son), the ForeWard Book of the Year Award for Young Adult Fiction (The Perfect Shot), the Society of Midland Authors Children's Fiction Award and Young Hoosier Book Award (Ghost Soldier, also an Edgar Award nominee), the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award (Dinosaur Hunter), two Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators Magazine Merit Awards, and the Virginia State Reading Association Award (The Ghost Cadet), Mrs. Alphin has made writing for children and young adults, and speaking to them at schools and conferences, her dream career. Although she started out as a journalist in Houston, a tip from her husband, Art, drew her to writing for children. Her fiction and nonfiction books for youngsters from beginning readers through teenagers have been selected for Bank Street College lists, TAYSHAS lists, VOYA Top Shelf lists, and 20 Children's Choice state award lists. Although adults occasionally ask when she's going to grow up enough to write for them, Elaine Marie Alphin explains why she loves writing for young readers instead: "I always wanted my writing to challenge readers to question their assumptions, and I discovered that a lot of grown-ups don't really want to question their assumptions. They've made choices and compromises in their lives, and they want to feel comfortable about them. But young readers are still finding out who they are, like I am, I guess. They're the perfect audience for me because they want to consider new ideas in order to decide for themselves which ideas they agree with and which they don't, and work out how they want to live their lives." Elaine Marie Alphin has written one book for adults: Creating Characters Kids Will Love. It's about writing for young readers. Get to know Elaine Marie Alphin better at her website: www.elainemariealphin.com. The Alphins live in Bozeman, Montana, and spend time in South Dakota and Wyoming.