Dinosaurs

My third graphic novel challenge: Tommysaurus Rex by TenNapel.

Ely's best friend is his dog. When tragedy happens, Ely grows up and his dad allows him to spend the summer with his grandfather on the farm. His grandfather is super calm--never gets ruffled no matter what happens. Man--working on the farm is hard work! On top of the exhausting duties, one kid decides to bully Ely. Running from the bully, Ely meets his new friend, a tyrannosaurus rex. Needless to say, these animals are not tidy animals.

Ely spends time taming his new friend; chaos ensues; and, the chance for revenge against the bully presents itself.

There's barely a plot in this story; the main ideas are about friendship, family, and helping one another. Good message, but there's little to no depth to the graphic novel. Pictures are cute. ( )

Tommysaurus Rex (Doug Tennapel, Illustrator - Katherine Garner) NY: Scholastic: 2013

Graphic Novel, Primary

Summary: Ely's best friend and pet is hit by a car and dies. Ely goes to live with his grandpa for the summer an discovers a T-Rex. He trains him and vows to keep him. Randy the bully sets a fire scaring the T-Rex and he starts to destroy the town. The T-Rex saves Randy but dies himself. Randy apologizes to Ely by giving him his dog.

Critique: Very cute story about friendship with simple words and simple pictures to allow readers to experience the story.

Activity (During) How would you handle a bully like Randy?

Who knew a quick-read YA graphic novel could be such a tear-jerker?

My 7th grader found this to be "too sad." And he is right. Great full-color graphics only make it more real and more sad.

And no, I normally do not read dog books, because they are too sad! ( )

A fun little romp through some hard lessons of responsibility, loss, sacrifice, anger and forgiveness; all handled in TenNapel's signature quirky style. Enjoyable story if you don't mind some bodily function humor. ( )