Dactyl Hill Squad (Dactyl Hill Squad #1) (1)

ISBN: 1338268821

Condition: New

Product Description"An unforgettable historical, high-octane adventure." -- Dav Pilkey, author-illustrator of the Dog Man seriesIt's 1863 and dinosaurs roam the streets of New York as the Civil War rages between raptor-mounted armies down South. Magdalys Roca and her friends from the Colored Orphan Asylum are on a field trip when the Draft Riots break out, and a number of their fellow orphans are kidnapped by an evil magistrate, Richard Riker.Magdalys and her friends flee to Brooklyn and settle in the Dactyl Hill neighborhood, where black and brown New Yorkers have set up an independent community -- a safe haven from the threats of Manhattan. Together with the Vigilance Committee, they train to fly on dactylback, discover new friends and amazing dinosaurs, and plot to take down Riker. Can Magdalys and the squad rescue the rest of their friends before it's too late?ReviewAwards and Praise for Dactyl Hill SquadA New York Times Notable BookAn NPR Best Book of the YearA School Library Journal Best Book of the YearA New York Public Library Best Book of the YearA Washington Post Best Book of the YearA Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year"Older fascinatingly blends thunder-lizard thrills with lesser-known but important aspects of American history... Readers will adore Magdalys Roca... Far from a natural hero, Magdalys displays a realistic mix of terror and gumption in the face of the monsters around her, reptilian and human. Where else will her adventures carry her? There's another installment of this mind-bendingly original series coming, sure to be eagerly awaited." -- New York Times Book Review* "Epic...This high-energy title is perfect for middle graders, with its strong female protagonist, a fresh perspective on history, helpful notes and resources, and an honest portrayal of the complex topics of race and gender." -- School Library Journal, starred review* "Delightful historical fantasy... Rooted in real events and attitudes, and appended with facts about the time, this fast-paced adventure makes for a memorable tale in which numerous characters of color take the lead." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"Dactyl Hill Squad has everything a reader could possibly want in a middle-grade book: action, adventure, magic, humor and dinosaurs. Magdalys is the same kind of young, engaging and flawed protagonist as Philip Pullman's Lyra -- a character readers can't help but love even when (especially because) she's frustrating. An entertaining and wholly fulfilling series opener."-- Shelf Awareness"Daniel has imagined the unimaginable and in doing so sends readers on a dino thrill ride. I have been talking about this book nonstop! The kids, the dinosaurs, the Civil War, this book is true fire. It is everything I didn't even know I needed." -- Jacqueline Woodson, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature"An extraordinary adventure full of heart and imagination that adults will enjoy reading just as much as kids! This is the story that would've made me fall in love with reading when I was a kid." -- Tomi Adeyemi, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Children of Blood and Bone"In this Tyrexcellent historical realignment -- fast paced, but deceptively packed with amazing detail -- Older's uprising of sheroes and heroes grips, stomps, and soars from start to finish." -- Rita Williams-Garcia, New York Times bestselling author of One Crazy Summer"Dactyl Hill Squad is an engaging, lively adventure with a heroine I wish I were, in a world I didn't want to leave." -- Jesmyn Ward, two-time National Book Award-winning author of Sing, Unburied, Sing"This incredible story brings history to life with power, honesty, and fun." -- Laurie Halse Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of Chains"A crackling fantasy adventure full of thrilling scenes." -- James McPherson, author of Pulitzer Prize-winner Battle Cry of Freedom"Kids, the Civil War, and dinosaurs -- action doesn't get any better than this!" -- Tamora Pierce, New York T