DACTYL HILL SQUAD

Channie Waites's narration gives emotional heft to this historical fantasy for middle schoolers. Magdalys Roca is a Cuban orphan in Civil War-era New York City who discovers she can speak to the dinosaurs that are used for work in her world. When the Colored Orphanage Asylum burns down, she and her friends find themselves running for their lives. Nonstop action leaves little room to develop characters or ponder Magdalys's astonishing ability, but it's hard to care when you're on an abolitionist rescue mission on the back of a mosasaur. Waites's character voices excel with the modern-edged dialogue, keeping the story light despite its themes of slavery, racism, and warfare. The listener's heart can't help but soar when Waites evokes the wonder of triumphant kids and pitch-perfect dinosaur calls. S.T.C. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2018]