Dinos Are Forever

by Greg Trine, Frank W. Dormer (Illustrator)

Overview

“I am retiring from my life as a superhero and have enclosed my cape. Use it well. Sincerely, Uncle George.”

Jo Schmo comes from a long line of crime fighters, but she’s just a normal fourth grade girl into boys and skateboards—until her uncle’s cape arrives on her San Francisco doorstep. Time to join the family business! Gramps shows Jo the tricks of the trade, and her dog, Raymond, becomes her slobbery sidekick. Just in time, too. Can Jo stop Dr. Dastardly and his deadly gang of dead dinos? Stay tuned for more adventures of Jo Schmo, complete with hilarious black-and-white illustrations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780547763415
Publisher:	HMH Books
Publication date:	07/03/2012
Series:	Adventures of Jo Schmo Series , #1
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 7.75(h) x 0.49(d)
Lexile:	AD580L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Greg Trine is the author of the Melvin Beederman, Superhero series. He lives in Southern California with his family. Visit him at www.gregtrine.com.

Frank W. Dormer is the illustrator of the acclaimed Aggie and Ben series. He is an elementary school art teacher who lives in Connecticut with his family. Visit him at www.frankwdormer.com.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Lighter-than-air superhero fun."—Kirkus

"Trine’s offbeat brand of humor and Dormer’s angular, childlike illustrations . . . hit the mark."—Publishers Weekly

"There’s plenty of goofy middle-grade appeal here for both boys and girls; hand this to kids suffering from Phineas and Ferb withdrawal now that school is back in session."—Bulletin

Editorial Reviews

Trine (the Melvin Beederman, Superhero books) introduces a new caped crusader in the launch of the Adventures of Jo Schmo chapter-book series. When fourth-grader Jo receives a cape in the mail from her superhero uncle, she accepts the challenge to follow in his footsteps. The cape (cut in half to share with Jo’s dog, Raymond) gives both Jo and her canine sidekick newfound powers (his mainly involve overactive drooling). Trine invokes many superhero conventions throughout: mad scientist Dr. Dastardly has an evil “Mwah-ha-ha” laugh, and, like Batman, Jo gets a sweet ride (her Schmomobile is a turbocharged version of her skateboard). She even has a Kryptonite-like vulnerability—her three schoolmate crushes: “This was a distraction she didn’t need. Bank robbers were committing crimes and needed to be caught.” (It’s not math class, but Trine might have reached for a less stereotypical weakness.) Jo’s successes come too easily for the narrative to develop any real tension, but Trine’s offbeat brand of humor (Dr. Dastardly’s master plan involves reanimating dinosaur skeletons) and Dormer’s angular, childlike illustrations generally hit the mark. Ages 6–9. Agent: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (July)

Publishers Weekly

The wacky origin story of a fourth-grade girl superhero from the author of the Melvin Beederman, Superhero series. Jo Schmo's normal life of skateboards and crushes is cast aside with the arrival of a mysterious package from her Uncle George (who is actually her mother's second cousin, once removed on account of being stinky). Ready to retire from his life as a superhero, Uncle George bequeaths his cape to Jo so that she may take up the calling. But she's a little girl, and the cape is too long--the piece Grandpa Joe cuts off makes a perfect cape for her loyal dog and now sidekick, Raymond. The cape gives the duo superpowers--strength for Jo and heroic amounts of drool for Raymond. Luckily, Jo has a capable mentor in Grandpa Joe, a retired sheriff. But soon they must face the mad scientist, super-villain Dr. Dastardly, and his latest invention for evil: the Re-animator Laminator. The zany writing wavers between slapstick and tongue-in-cheek. The edge is taking off the fighting part of crime-fighting through silly attack names like "Russian Toe Hold" and "Siberian Ear Tweak." Dormer's movement-oriented illustrations complement the fast pace of the story and suit the comical tone, as well. Lighter-than-air superhero fun. (Adventure. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews

PRAISE FOR THE ADVENTURES OF JO SCHMO SERIES
 
"Lighter-than-air superhero fun."—Kirkus
 
"Trine’s offbeat brand of humor and Dormer’s angular, childlike illustrations . . . hit the mark."—Publishers Weekly
 
"There’s plenty of goofy middle-grade appeal here for both boys and girls."—Bulletin

From the Publisher

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