Customer Reviews

The Last Synapsid

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
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Contrary to popular opinion, many middle-schoolers are wonderfully literate. If your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews are among these bright ones, give them "The Last Synapsid." Thanks to our most distant ancestor, a lovable mammalian creature called a synapsid by scientists, and Sid by main characters Rob and Phoebe, they'll travel on a warp-speed, life-and-death adventure between the present age and the Permian era, 250 million years before the dinosaurs. Along the way, they'll hear Shakespeare quoted, learn of the formation and reformation of mountains and oceans and continents, witness an enchanting Gathering of the Animals, and discover how the human race is saved from extinction.

I just finished Timothy Mason's wonderful first novel. I felt like a kid, falling in love with science fiction and fantasy all over again. I will add this book to my list of favorites for reading aloud to my nephews and nieces.

I hope this isn't the last adventure for Rob, Phoebe, and Sid.

Timothy Mason really knows how to spin an engaging yarn with humor, lots of heart and any number of surprising turns...

Although the book is listed as reading for the under 12 crowd (and delighted my nine-year old nephew), I was incredibly pleased to find it a true page-turner -- even for someone several multiples of age older. :)

An exciting adventure story of young people in a small mountain town with a mining history. The interplay of the kids with each other, mothers, school AND our Permian era ancestors is so believable that aspects such as time travel seem quite natural. Well researched, accurate information about prehistoric eras and critters and subtle observations of good and evil are painlessly absorbed while enjoying the fun and suspense of a good mystery.
Though main characters are ages 12 and 13, this story has appeal to all ages in the same sense as "Tom Sawyer" or "Huckleberry Finn".

(I'm writing this on behalf of my 12 year old son, so I'm going to use quotations.)

"It's just the right amount of scary: enough to be interesting, but not scary enough to have to keep my lights on at night. I like the imagery and the descriptions of the scenes. I have been to lots of mountains, and the desriptions of the mountains were very accurate, which made me feel like I was right there with the characters.
I was always interested in paleontology and dinosaurs, so if you are, too, you will be interested in the story. I'm too old for a lot of stories about pre-historic creatures, but this one is good for my age.
The characters were distinct, and the dialogue sounded like real kids talking. It annoys me when kids in books don't really sound like kids, because it reminds me that I'm reading a book that an adult wrote. This book sucked me into the story because the characters seemed like actual kids. In the same way, I liked that he used drawings by a real kid, too. When adults try to draw like a kid it usually looks fake, so having a kid do the drawings was a good idea. I like to draw, too, and those drawings were a good example of what a 12-year-old can do.
If there is a sequel, I will definitely read it!"

When my 10-year-old finishes, I can write his review, too. He likes it so far, but shuttles back and forth between books, so it can take a while.
My 12-year-old has ADHD, so for him to stick with a book start to finish is a great review in and of itself!

Timothy Mason has written a book that belongs on all middle school reading lists. THE LAST SYNAPSID is a wonderful way to instill awareness of the issues we face and inspiration to be a part of the solutions: caring for Earth, each other, and our own true hearts. Thank you, Mr. Mason!!!!!

I would highly recommend this charming and fast-paced book for readers of all levels. The author has combined some realistic teenaged characters with a bit of science (and an important message about how we are possibly the next species facing extinction) and a bit of fantasy (time-travel can be triggered with smells!) and whipped it up with dollops of Colorado history into a really entertaining read. I couldn't put it down and immediately sent it off to my nephew.

I can't think of a better childrens story for the times we live in. Tim Mason presents not only an engaging, humorous and mysterious tale, he challenges readers to think of the space he's dealing with as more than static. The earth (in particular, this magical tiny town) is a gift and a responsibility. Villians take, while the more heroic, give. These are wonderful-memorable characters, situations, illustrations and adventures that anyone can enjoy.

What a delight. Though intended for younger readers, I think any grownup will enjoy it too. Great characters; honest, fun, and complicated relationships; good and evil; life lessons; nail-biting adventures and time travel -- all set in a great little town where you really feel like you kind of know everybody. There's humor and kindness and wisdom in the writing, and I am tempted to dive right back in and begin the ride all over again. I will definitely be giving this book to all the "tweens" in my life (and to a lot of the adults too). Hope this isn't the last we'll hear of Phoebe, Rob and Sid!

Bought the book for my nieces and nephews but decided to read it first and found it absolutely delightful. Witty and engaging, it quickly grabs your attention and keeps it as it teaches you a bit of history along with some fun, fantasy and adventure. Eager for the sequel!