Dinotopia: Land Apart from Time by James Gurney

Title: Dinotopia: Land Apart From Time
Author: James Gurney
Age Range: 8+
Reviewer: Heather

Dinotopia is a story set in the late 1800s, where a man called Arthur Denison writes about his life living on the island of Dinotopia. He has a son, Will Denison, a 12 year old who gets older as the book progresses.
Dinotopia is very realistic, and the stunning illustrations of oil paint done by the author, James Gurney, make it feel even more real. The art is a main part of the book, it would be completely different without it.
The story does not have much plot, it’s mostly just telling you how life is on Dinotopia. Dinosaurs and humans live side by side, neither of them in control over the other, it’s more of a partnership. The dinosaurs have their own language, and an alphabet they use to communicate with humans. I had a great time learning how to write it! There is a key in the book that tells you what each letter and number is.
The book brings you through many of the Dinotopian towns, which can all be found on the handy map in the beginning of the book. My favorite is Treetown, where the humans live in treehouses.
Will Denison becomes a Skybax rider, one of the many that ride the Quetzalcoatlus Skybax, a flying dinosaur. The book takes you through his journey of learning how to ride and making friends with another rider.
All of the dinosaurs in this book actually existed, though some of the names are fictional. This adds a very real touch.
This is a great book full of charm and just makes you want to sail off and become a Dinotopian!
This is the first book in a series of three (so far).

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Title: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Author: Douglas Adams
Age Range: ?
Reviewer: Jake

'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', by Douglas Adams, is one of the most interestingly random books I have ever read. The book is about a ordinary fellow in England named Arthur Dent. Arthur walks out the door, and about 10 minutes later, his house is demolished. Unfortunately, Dent has no time to hit the construction workers with large sticks because a bunch of blob-like creatures called Vogons blow up the world. All before the end of the fifth chapter. The only reason that Arthur survived, is because one of his best friends, a fellow known as Ford Prefect, is actually a researcher for the most interestingly random book in the entire galaxy, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.” The rest of the book is really rather simple, yet utterly impossible to understand. If you liked it, I advise you read the second, third, forth, and fifth books (in that order). I advise this book for every young adult sci-fi enjoyer, who is bored of unhumorus stories.