Thunder Run (Dactyl Hill Squad Series #3)

by Daniel José Older

Overview

"An unforgettable historical, high-octane adventure." — Dav Pilkey, author-illustrator of the Dog Man series

Magdalys's connection with the dinosaurs has led the US Army to some important victories, but the Civil War's not over yet and the squad members find themselves fighting deep in the Louisiana bayou. Then General Ulysses S. Grant himself entrusts Magdalys with a top secret mission — one that the very success of the Union depends on. Because as the friends will soon find out, the United States has more than one enemy.Imperial troops are gathering along the Mexican border, forming an alliance with the Confederates in pursuit of spreading slavery, and suddenly the Union is facing battles on two fronts. But they are barely holding their own against one army — how can they possibly defeat two? As New Orleans is surrounded and desperate battle plans laid, Magdalys and her friends set off to disrupt a scheme that would destroy everything she cares about. But to do it, she'll have to push her dinowrangling skills further than she's ever been able to before. Can Magdalys defeat the fiercest rival she's ever faced and save the fractured nation?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338268874
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	06/02/2020
Series:	Dactyl Hill Squad Series , #3
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	674,799
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.30(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Daniel José Older has always loved monsters, whether historical, prehistorical, or imaginary. His debut series for young adults, the Shadowshaper Cypher, has earned starred reviews, the International Latino Book Award, and New York Times Notable Book and NPR Best Book of the Year picks, among other accolades. His debut middle-grade series, Dactyl Hill Squad, was named to the New York Times Notable Book list and to the NPR and Washington Post Best Book of the Year lists, among others. He has worked as a bike messenger, a waiter, and a teacher, and was a New York City paramedic for ten years. Daniel splits his time between Brooklyn and New Orleans.

Read an Excerpt

From THE SAVAGE FORTRESS:

Ash tightened his hold on the drainpipe and hoisted himself up. The pipe shook and leaned away from the wall. John had told him he regularly scrabbled up such drainpipes -- how hard could it be? But then John was half his body weight, even after all the exercise Ash had been doing.
Arms and legs wrapped around the clay pipe, Ash slowly shimmied upward. The rough surface scraped against his skin, rubbing his belly raw. Cables brushed against his back, and Ash hoped he wasn't about to be electrocuted. But the wires seemed dead, and he found gaps in the walls to push himself the last few feet. With a grunt he heaved himself over the low parapet, dropping on to the flat roof. Holding his breath and willing his heart to quieten, he heard a deep, threatening growl.
The drainpipe rattled, then tore off the wall and smashed.

Editorial Reviews

Awards 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 and New York Times bestselling author of Brown Girl Dreaming and Another Brooklyn"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, three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and 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 Times bestselling author of The Song of the Lioness"As an historian of New York City, I'm thrilled with Daniel José Older's melding of the best of history and fantasy in Dactyl Hill Squad. I couldn't put it down!" — Leslie Harris, author of In the Shadow of Slavery"This action-packed historical fantasy adventure should have wide appeal, leaving fans eager for the next installment. Dino-fueled fun with depth." — Kirkus Reviews"Older's rousing mix of actual history and dinosaurs will be irresistible to the upper-elementary and middle-school crowds." — Booklist"Middle schoolers will be drawn to this new alternate history adventure series.... Nonstop action keeps readers engaged.... It is worth noting that this novel is richly infused with real historical people and places. The social and political issue of racial prejudice permeates the storyline.... Look for this series to be popular with students and spur further interest in the Civil War." — School Library ConnectionAwards and Praise for Freedom Fire (Dactyl Hill Squad #2)A Publishers Weekly Best of Summer Reading 2019"An unforgettable historical, high-octane adventure." — Dav Pilkey, author-illustrator of the Dog Manseries* "Blisteringly paced, thought-provoking adventure." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Intelligent, rousing, and abundantly diverse, this is every bit as satisfying as the first installment." — Publishers Weekly, starred review"Older has middle-graders' number with this dino-charged series. Stampedes are likely!" — Booklist

From the Publisher

2020-04-12
Older offers the third installment in the Dactyl Hill Squad series.

Opening where Freedom Fire (2019) ended, this sequel finds 12-year-old Afro-Cuban orphan Magdalys Roca reunited with her older brother, Montez, a Union soldier in the U.S. Civil War. Third-person, past-tense narration highlights brave, genuine Magdalys’ continued fight to thwart the plans of the white supremacist Knights of the Golden Circle and ensure the U.S. doesn’t become an empire of slavery, all while battling racism, sexism, and ageism—and riding dinosaurs. In a New Orleans lit through with intimate details, Magdalys finds a mentor, LaFarge, and discovers there’s more to dino-wrangling than she’s realized. LaFarge, a white man, is a pacifist (for sympathetic reasons), but Magdalys doesn’t let him off easy, reminding him he’s forgotten “what it means to care about something enough to fight for it.” Magdalys’ path leads her to the deserts of Mexico, where the new, democratically elected president is Zapotecan—welcome Indigenous representation. Good triumphs over evil—at least temporarily—and as “safety is always a fleeting thing,” Magdalys’ commitment to the struggle persists. Another book seems likely. As usual, Older infuses what could have been a basic romp with depth, using a critical social justice lens to examine the past while also embedding in it representation that we can aspire to in the future.

More than a dino-infused historical adventure. (author’s note) (Historical fantasy. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews