“Knights vs. Dinosaurs” may be just the book to rekindle interest in either of these topics for middle elementary or readers transitioning to chapter books. The first chapter could be a little slow if they don’t know much about Camelot.

After Merlin challenges four bragging knights, they find themselves mysteriously transported to a strange place. Along with their confusion at this, battles with creatures they’ve never seen before, and the surprise of finding out one of the knights is a girl, there is humor. Imagine giant chickens that are purring one minute, then attacking you the next!

Merlin helps them discover their individual strengths are much more effective when used as a team. Generous line spacing and short sentences keep the action moving. Readers may also be pulled in by the action in the cartoon-style strips that appear in various places throughout. The black and white illustrations have broad brush strokes and fine lines for details.

The author clearly states in the backmatter that dinosaurs did not live during the same era or regions and includes short descriptions of the six dinosaurs featured in story.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Old Town Elementary School Library, Old Town