Dino Mike (ePub)

What would happen if a carnivorous dinosaur developed a moral objection to eating other dinosaurs? This is the fascinating hypothetical question that author Jason Singleton explores in his new middle-grade novel, Dino Mike. The story expertly combines comedy, absurdity, and adventure through the development of anthropomorphic dinosaurs on a quest to solve the mystery of the disappearing herbivores in order to resolve their threatening food shortage.

If Mike Deinonychus weren't the brother of Betty, pack leader Odin's mate, he would be long gone from their carnivorous crew and the Good Lands, especially if it were up to Shank, Odin's sketchy brother. Whether it's burning down the den, losing Betty's precious eggs, or his unusual predilection to coming up with viable food options other than meat, the pack is on their last nerve with the young Dino Mike. When he finds a mysterious map, Dino Mike decides he needs to prove his worth to his family and sets out in search of herbivores to feed his fellow "Carnies."

On his long trek, Dino Mikie meets up with a docile yet enormous Sauroposeidon named, aptly, Poseidon, who offers up, "Nice to meet you, dude. Go on, give me some. Bump the rock." Later, he encounters Groober Spinx, the herbivore Heterodontosaurus, or a "Herbie," who had lost his valuable map that Dino Mike found. Dino Mike insists to Groober that, even though he is a "Carnie," he doesn't eat dinosaurs. And when Dino Mike saves Groober from certain death by scaring a hostile allosaurus away with fire that he makes, a trust is built between the two and they help each other continue on to the Great Lands, where Mr. Deinonychus meets and becomes a bit smitten with Harmonica, another Herbie.

"Harmonica motioned for Brute to lower his weapon. 'It's okay,' Harmonica said. 'He's not going to hurt us.' She grabbed Dino Mike's hand. 'You saved Groober's life. That makes all of us friends.'"

Yet the Herbies have problems of their own. When they were forced to leave the Good Lands, they slogged to the treacherous Bad Lands to reach safety in the Great Lands--an oasis within where the Herbies have relocated. But a dry riverbed there means no water for the Herbies and before long, they will surely die. When Dino Mike sustains a life-threatening blow to the head in the perilous Bad Lands, the Herbies--somewhat hesitantly--return the favor of his saving Groober's life by having the savvy Harmonica nurse him back to health. Can it be that these traditional foes have become...friends?

"Dino Mike took a deep breath. 'My family was starving to death,' he said. 'They are starving to death. I thought if I could find you all, then maybe I could trick you into coming back so they could eat. But I changed my mind when I met you.'"

On his soul-searching--and food-searching--quest, Dino Mike meets with unexpected betrayals, from none other than Shank, and the forging of improbable bonds, like Granny Pacquiao, leader of the Herbies. Through working together for solutions and doing what is right, the Herbies and the Carnies are able to live concertedly in the Good Lands. Most importantly, Dino Mike learns that, as Groober tells him, "You can't have your friends and eat them too."

Middle-graders will love the lovable, clever, and snarky dinosaur characters in this fast-paced and original adventure. Author Jason Singleton provides an exceptional narrative voice, filled with wit, drollery, and snappy banter. He hopes his young readers discern from his story that it's okay to be different--like Dino Mike, a non-meat-eating affable carnivore.