Thunder Run (Dactyl Hill Squad #3)

by Daniel José Older (Author)

Thunder Run  (Dactyl Hill Squad #3)
Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade

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?

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Review quotes

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 YearOlder 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 reviewDactyl 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 AwarenessDaniel 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 BrooklynAn 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 BoneIn 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 SummerDactyl 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, SingThis incredible story brings history to life with power, honesty, and fun. — Laurie Halse Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of ChainsA crackling fantasy adventure full of thrilling scenes. — James McPherson, author of Pulitzer Prize winner Battle Cry of FreedomKids, 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 LionessAs 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 SlaveryThis action-packed historical fantasy adventure should have wide appeal, leaving fans eager for the next installment. Dino-fueled fun with depth. — Kirkus ReviewsOlder's rousing mix of actual history and dinosaurs will be irresistible to the upper-elementary and middle-school crowds. — BooklistMiddle 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 2019An 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 reviewOlder has middle-graders' number with this dino-charged series. Stampedes are likely! — Booklist
Daniel José Older
Daniel José Older, a lead story architect for Star Wars: The High Republic, is the New York Times best-selling author of the young adult urban fantasy series Outlaw Saints, the sci-fi adventure Flood City, and the monthly comic series Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures. His other books include the historical fantasy series Dactyl Hill Squad, The Book of Lost Saints, the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series, Star Wars: Last Shot, and the young adult series the Shadowshaper Cypher, including Shadowshaper, which was named one of the best fantasy books of all time by TIME magazine and one of Esquire's 80 Books Every Person Should Read. He won the International Latino Book Award and has been nominated for the Kirkus Prize, the World Fantasy Award, the Andre Norton Award, the Locus Award, and the Mythopoeic Award. You can find out more at www.danieljoseolder.net.

Alyssa Wong writes award-winning fiction, comics, and games. Their stories have won the Nebula, World Fantasy, and Locus Awards and were short-listed for the Hugo, Bram Stoker, and Shirley Jackson Awards. Alyssa also writes comics for Star Wars (Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, War of the Bounty Hunters: Boushh #1), Marvel (Deadpool, Alligator Loki, Iron Fist, Extreme Carnage), and DC (Spirit World, Batman: Urban Legends). They have received multiple GLAAD and Eisner Award nominations. Previously, Alyssa worked at Blizzard Entertainment on Overwatch and Overwatch 2. They live in North Carolina.
Classification
-
ISBN-13
9781338268874
Lexile Measure
800
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Scholastic Press
Publication date
June 02, 2020
Series
Dactyl Hill Squad
BISAC categories
JUV002060 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV011010 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - African-American
JUV016200 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | United States - Civil War Period (1850-1877)
Library of Congress categories
Dinosaurs
History
19th century
Brothers and sisters
African Americans
United States
New Orleans (La.)
Mexico
Adventure and adventurers
Adventure stories
Civil War, 1861-1865
Human-animal communication
Action and adventure fiction
Alternative histories (Fiction)
Special forces (Military science)
ALA Notable Book

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